The ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople reflected beauty and power, captivating onlookers while symbolising the power of old Constantinople city. From chariot races to cultural events, the Hippodrome was an integral symbol of extraordinary Constantinople, that was envied the world over. So, what makes the Hippodrome of Constantinople so unique?
The famous Bosphorus bridges of Istanbul are nothing short of exceptional engineering talent. Spanning waters of the iconic Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul's bridges symbolise a majestic city. From the 15th-century Galata Bridge to Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Istanbul's iconic bridges and their timeless stories are worth knowing about.
From history to today, the old city of Istanbul perfectly reflects Turkey's cultural and historical significance. This destination that shaped current day Turkey seems vastly different to other fast-paced city destinations. Touches of nostalgia linger over Istanbul's old city part known as Sultanahmet, and if you pause and reflect, you can easily imagine various events over centuries.
Ah, famous Constantinople. This political, economic, and cultural heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires is one of history's most intriguing stories. This city of Greek, Christian and Islamic culture and religion dominated global trade for centuries. Despite challenges, including invading armies and political unrest, Constantinople stood proud for thousands of years and left much impact on the world.
The Bosphorus often overshadows the Golden Horn of Istanbul. Yet the Golden Horn estuary is just as crucial to the city, which has a vast historical timeline spanning the Byzantine empire, the Ottoman period and the current-day Turkish republic. Those who know their history will talk about the Golden Horn during the famous siege of Constantinople.
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Camii, is the most famous imperial mosque dating from the Ottoman empire. Standing opposite the Hagia Sophia in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, every day, the Blue Mosque hosts thousands of curious tourists and Muslims arriving to worship.
The Beyoglu district of Istanbul is just as crucial to the city as the historical old Sultanahmet part. While most travel magazines mention Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, some neglect to mention Beyoglu. Yet if you plan to buy a home or genuinely want to get to know Istanbul like locals, Beyoglu should be on your list.
This month, for the first time ever the Michelin company, home of the famed Michelin Stars, selected 53 Istanbul restaurants to makeup its Istanbul City Guide. This is a huge event for Istanbul and Turkey on the whole. Michelin recognises gastronomical achievement on a global scale and is recognised as the preeminent institution for fine dining.
The vast range of outdoor activities in Istanbul makes this city break destination globally famous. Of course, Istanbul delivers many indoor activities like museums, Ottoman palaces and shopping malls, yet the location enables excellent outdoor adventures. Before we list our favourite recommended activities, look at the weather before planning them.
Knowing what Istanbul is like in September ensures a comfortable and fun visit. Istanbul is quite unlike any other global city. The vast metropolis's beating pulse commands instant respect from everyone who knows her. Even though Istanbul is no longer the capital, many say, if Istanbul collapses, so would Turkey.
The Bosphorus villages of Istanbul don't earn as much fame as the old Sultanahmet touristic district or Beyoglu, Galata and Taksim. Yet they are just as important to Istanbul. Most people know Istanbul separates into two continents, Asia and Europe, via the Bosphorus strait. Yet this stretch of water signifies much more.
Ah, the masses of Sultanahmet attractions make this neighbourhood of vibrant Istanbul stand out on the world stage. Sultanahmet isn't an official district in itself. Just a neighbourhood. Yet, every day, Sultanahmet attracts thousands of visitors eager to see landmark attractions that make Istanbul Turkey's top visited destination.
Suppose you plan to visit Istanbul in July. In that case, whether this is to buy property in Turkey or simply for a holiday, you get to experience the great outdoors of this beautiful city. During this time, some locals head out of Istanbul to enjoy their summer holidays in places of natural beauty, but tourism continues as the weather reaches an average of 30 degrees.
Located on Istanbul’s European Side, Ataturk Airport occupies some of the finest, well connected, and vast land within the city limits. The total area of the holding amounts to 8.5 million m². The future allocation of that 8.5M for the “People’s Park” project will be around 5.2M m². The other 39% will be reserved for Military, Cargo, and other aerial needs of the government.
Visiting Istanbul in June will be one of your best travel experiences. This vast city, spread across Turkey’s Asian and European continents, was a pivotal point on the map throughout history. Decisions made here by the Byzantine and Ottoman empires shaped the course of history and led the city to the great metropolis that it is today.
Lining the seafront of the Bosporus is a grand total of 620 Yali Mansions - some as old as the city itself, and some as prestigious as anything you will find in the world. Owning a Yali mansion in Istanbul is something most of us could only dream of, so for those looking to enjoy a read of life as dreamy as the mansions themselves, in this blog we present some of the best Yali mansions along the Bosporus in Istanbul.
Occasionally, property hunters ask us if May is a good time to visit Istanbul? As well as finding their ideal home for sale, they want to combine their viewing trip with tours around Istanbul to see attractions and landmark buildings and learn all about the city's illustrious history. Of course, our answer is always yes. We think May is one of the best months to visit.
Why would someone ever invest in real estate outside of their home country? Well, people like adventure, to be honest with you. They like to do something different; Something noteworthy. They've tried and tested their home country, and what you find in the case of 99% of our clients is that they already have a home plus, possibly, other investments in their home countries.
It can be a bit daunting, as a foreigner, to approach an unfamiliar market when looking to invest. Let's say you've done your homework. You've reached this site understanding that Turkey looks to be a fine candidate for investment. As an emerging market it does look quite attractive to foreign eye. It has a favourable exchange rate, proximity to the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Seas.
To explore Istanbul in March marks the end of winter and the beginning of Spring, an ideal time of year. This perfect month sees warm temperatures, and good value hotel and flight tickets. Additionally, fewer crowds at main attractions, enhance your visit to Istanbul.