Istanbul streets. Picture by fsse8info.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of a holiday exploring Istanbul during your Turkey tours, then this post might whet your appetite a little further. Istanbul is an absolutely fantastic place to visit, and it’s easy to strike out independently to discover its many attractions. There are times, however, when guided Turkey tours can be a little more advantageous than independent exploration.

One example is during visits to major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul. As in the case of almost every large city in the world, it can be challenging to navigate these large and busy locations, particularly on a first visit.

Bazaars

For example, Istanbul is home to one of the most famous bazaars in the world, and it’s certainly worth a visit. By some estimates, however, over 400,000 people visit the bazaar every day for their shopping, and knowing where to find the best bargains is something that might be more easily achievable on guided Turkey tours, rather than going it alone.

Spices at Istanbul’s Bazaar. Picture by mileusna.

History

Turkey tours to Istanbul often include a historical overview as part of the tour, which is invaluable in bringing the city’s rich history to life as you walk through the streets.

The origin of the city is mysterious to this day, but by the time of the classical Greeks, a settlement existed on the site of the modern-day Istanbul called Byzantium. It was an important crossroads for traffic between the ancient European and Asian heartlands, with a strategic position on the Bosphorus. The city later became the capital of the eastern Roman Empire, renamed Constantinople in honour of the Emperor Constantine.

In 1453, Constantinople fell to the expanding Ottoman Turkish Empire, becoming effectively part of what we now call Turkey. Tours to modern Istanbul today remain an intriguing and unique blend of European and Asian cultures.