ISTANBUL

ISTANBUL

Istanbul is an amazing city known all over the world. It is the most populous city in Turkey and the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. It is both a historical and a modern city. It lies on 2 continents- Europe and Asia. You can travel between the two continents in a short matter of time- about 30 minutes. It has a population of nearly 15 million people and has an area of 5.343 square kilometers.

There  are many things to do in this metropolitan city. It depends on your interest. If you are the type of person who likes historical sites,  there are many palaces, towers, and mosques dating back to the Ottoman Empire, churches dating back to the Byzantine Empire, and many other beautiful places. If you are the type of person who likes museums, there are many museums, all about different topics. There are also many parks for people who would like a peaceful environment. There are many squares with historical buildings such as a mosque or a church.  If you want to see animals and sea life, there are 2 large aquariums, one located on the Asian side and one located on the European side. There is a also a really big zoo located near the city of Istanbul, in Darıca. Istanbul is a megacity; therefore there are many shopping centers, bazaars and small shops. Did you know that there are 117 shopping centers in Istanbul alone? This is a wonderful fact for a shopping-lover to know. The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) is not only a place to shop, but a place seeped in history. You can smell history- and spices as you enter the beautiful atmosphere. If you like tasting new- and delicious tastes, Istanbul has many many restaurants where you can taste Turkish food. I would suggest you try meals such as kebap, döner, iskender, etc. You MUST eat a Turkish breakfast, which includes all kinds of cheese, olives, eggs, kinds of meat, Turkish tea, salad, honey, jams, butter, etc. 
Long story short, Istanbul is a must-see. I am very sure you will enjoy every second of this marvelous city.