Istanbul — Destination Guide: Overview

The city of dreams, desires, intrigue and harems, Istanbul boasts the most stunning monument to the progress of Christianity in the east but, immediately opposite, the Blue Mosque is the most sacred of Islamic landmarks. Ottoman Istanbul was the center of the Islamic faith but derived its power and glory from ethnic and religious diversity. Today one finds mosques, churches, synagogues, bazaars, palaces, underground cisterns, and remarkable heirlooms of the past. But past glory still sits well with Istanbul's contemporary spirit and spontaneity. This is a party city where the music and festive beat is incessant. An exciting art scene, ...

The city of dreams, desires, intrigue and harems, Istanbul boasts the most stunning monument to the progress of Christianity in the east but, immediately opposite, the Blue Mosque is the most sacred of Islamic landmarks. Ottoman Istanbul was the center of the Islamic faith but derived its power and glory from ethnic and religious diversity. Today one finds mosques, churches, synagogues, bazaars, palaces, underground cisterns, and remarkable heirlooms of the past. But past glory still sits well with Istanbul's contemporary spirit and spontaneity. This is a party city where the music and festive beat is incessant. An exciting art scene, creative cuisine, award-winning shopping malls, and the city's energetic youth redefine urban synergy. Proximity to Europe brings dedicated clubbers and shoppers for a week-end gala. Istanbul tops many Euro-agendas and is a city to experience before you die. It's slick and clean and an amazing transport system is an underrated urban attribute. Istanbul will be the European Culture Capital in 2010 but its seemingly premature arrival is entirely in beat with its impetuous ambience.

About the Expert

Suzanne Swan is the main author of Dorling-Kindersley's Eyewitness Travel Guide: Turkey. She updated and wrote original texts for DK's Eyewitness Travel: Istanbul.