Istanbul: A City of History, Beauty, and Charm

There are countless cities in the world, each with its own unique charm, but some places hold a special meaning for us. Perhaps it is because I live there as a student, but I do think that this alone is not enough to like a city, is it? I have traveled to several cities across Europe, but I would say that I have not seen a city as beautiful and full of history as Istanbul.

Yeah, I also consider that every person’s favorite city is different since beauty depends on how we perceive it or think of it. Some people who have lived in Istanbul and never gone anywhere else probably do not like it because, as we all know, human beings usually care less about what they already have. Additionally, some tourists will fall in love with Istanbul since they will stay for only a couple of days, right? They will not be able to see some downsides of the city from the perspective of locals. This is also possible as I think more about different perspectives and lifestyles.

A Fun Fact About Istanbul;

Okay, now we can go back to our main topic, which is Istanbul. Let’s start with a fun fact! Did you know that Istanbul was the most visited city in the world in 2023 or the second most visited in 2024? Yeah, I know—until I read the statistics, I would have also guessed Paris or New York City as being in the top three. In fact, these cities were in the top rankings, but in the 2024 list, Paris was ninth, and New York was not even in the top ten. I do not say that these cities are overrated. Actually, I liked New York when I visited it in 2024, and now I am planning to go to Paris to see the heart of Europe. They are amazing cities with lots of attractions.

Why Should You Visit Istanbul?

And again, when we come back to Istanbul, I would recommend you visit Istanbul for several reasons, but I will mention three of them in this blog:

1. A City Steeped in History

As of today, Istanbul is one of the most visited cities in the world. Once, it was also one of the most important cities in the world, and we can even say that it was the most significant capital of the world during two great empires, the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires. Therefore, it has a great deal of history in its streets and towns. If you are interested in history or simply want to see the palaces of one of the biggest empires in the world, you should definitely plan a trip to Istanbul. Moreover, if you want to see one of the oldest churches in the world, which is Hagia Sophia, or one of the most famous mosques, which is also Hagia Sophia, I would recommend you visit this magnificent piece of art. It has features from both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and represents two religions, Islam and Christianity.

Hagia Sophia

2. The Stunning Bosphorus

The second non-negligible advantage of seeing Istanbul is its beautiful Bosphorus, which is just next to my university. You can take a public ferry from the Anatolian side to the European side while seeing the famous gulls of Istanbul and the city itself. (Betül Toker recommends taking the ferry from Aşiyan to Üsküdar since it takes 30 minutes, and you see most of the Bosphorus and the two bridges of Istanbul.)

The Bosphorus

3. The Delightful Turkish Cuisine

The third remarkable feature of this city is its delicious food. I would say the original Turkish food is different from what you tasted in your own country’s Turkish restaurants, and it is also cheaper in Istanbul.

Turkish Cuisine

Bonus: Istanbul’s Famous Cats

Lastly, this is an honorary fact and also the last one I will mention—Istanbul’s famous cats. I like them, but sometimes they can scratch your hands. :)) However, you will see these lovely animals almost everywhere you go in Istanbul, and most of them are friendly. You will see them in supermarkets, restaurants, or subways.

Lastly

I hope this blog was beneficial for some people who want to visit Istanbul and also quite convincing for individuals who do not know Istanbul yet. Take care and stay tuned. If you have any questions, please just simply submit a form :) or write in the comments. The next blog will be about the capital of Österreich, which I am currently in :).