Discover the Best Istanbul Tours

See where Europe meets Asia in this city that straddles two continents. Istanbul, which is divided by the Bosporus strait, is the cultural capital of Turkey and a delightful mix of ancient and modern and secular and conservative, with more minarets than you can shake a stick at, centuries-old bazaars and women wearing black veils contrasted by hordes of fashion-conscious girls in Western garb, towering skyscrapers and trendy restaurants. Ottoman and Byzantine landmarks abound, most notably the grand Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a mosque and now a museum; and Topkapi Palace, which was the nerve center of the Ottoman Empire.

Istanbul Overview

See where Europe meets Asia in this city that straddles two continents. Istanbul, which is divided by the Bosporus strait, is the cultural capital of Turkey and a delightful mix of ancient and modern and secular and conservative, with more minarets than you can shake a stick at, centuries-old bazaars and women wearing black veils contrasted by hordes of fashion-conscious girls in Western garb, towering skyscrapers and trendy restaurants. Ottoman and Byzantine landmarks abound, most notably the grand Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a mosque and now a museum; and Topkapi Palace, which was the nerve center of the Ottoman Empire.