Destination

Bridging both banks of the shimmering southern Bosphorus or Istanbul Strait, the world’s narrowest strait, Istanbul is the only city on Earth located on two continents. Strategically located on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul was successively the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire and has been associated with major events in political history, religious history and art history for more than 2,000 years. The city is a fusion of age-old glories and a cool, contemporary 21st-century culture, Istanbul is the last stop in Europe and the first  stop in Asia.

Discover the dynamic culture and electric rhythm of Istanbul. Formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, the city is a bold fusion of past and present. Here, the bustling Grand Bazaar remixes with the premier restaurants and renowned nightlife of Turkey’s largest metropolis, which radiates the pulsating energy of over 13 million inhabitants. Traditional hammams and characteristic hookah lounges reside alongside modern rooftop bars, contemporary museums and premier shopping districts.