Istanbul embraces two continents, one arm reaching out
to Asia, the other to Europe. Through the city's heart,
the Bosphorus strait, courses the waters of the Black Sea,
the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The former capital
of three successive empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman
- today İstanbul honors and preserves the legacy of its
past while looking forward to its modern future
Indeed, it is İstanbul's variety that fascinates
its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, great
mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem
inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the
Bosphorus at sunset, contemplating the red twilight
reflected in the windows on the opposite shore, you
understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries
ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At
times such as these, you feel that İstanbul is truly one
of the most glorious cities in the world.
Art, Culture and Entertainment
İstanbul
is an international art and cultural center. The
International Arts and Cultural Festival is held each year
in June and July with famous artists coming from all over
the world. These performances are held mostly in the
Ataturk Cultural Center. Those enjoying classical music
can hear it at Cemal Resit Rey Hall. Operas, operettas,
ballets, film, concerts, exhibitions and conferences all
share the cultural palette of the city. İstanbul also has
a rich program of light entertainment. Nightclubs provide
splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a
selection of Turkish songs to the famous bellydance.
İstanbul is an international gambling city with many
casinos.
Alongside
these are modern discos, cabarets, and jazz clubs in the
Taksim-Harbiye district.
In
Sultanahmet, there are a number of restaurants in restored
Byzantine and Ottoman buildings which offer a unique
setting for an evening out
Kumkapi,
with its many taverns, bars and fish restaurants, is
another attractive district. People have been meeting for
years in Beyoglu district's Cicek Pasaji for snacks and
seafood specialties. Also in this district, the narrow
Nevizede street, near Cicek Pasaji, is the best place in
İstanbul for eating Turkish specialties and drinking raki.
On the
Bosphorus, Ortaköy is the best place for nightlife in
İstanbul, with its nightclubs, jazz clubs, fine seafood
restaurants and bars.
In Eminönu
,don't miss an opportunity to see the fishermen dressed in
traditional Ottoman clothes on their Ottoman-style boats
where you may board and taste their famous delicious fried
fish.
