European Part Travel Guide

The European side of Istanbul again is divided into two parts by the Golden Horn an estuary with a width about 500 metres; so the southern part - that some call Stamboul - is a peninsular and the very oldest part of the European side. This is the old Byzantium, or in Roman times Constantinople (the city of Emperor Constantin). Here you can find the seven hills with the most spectacular sights:

For all that you should not forget to have enough time! Haghia Sophia or Topkapi Palace can take hours if one is really interested in it!  Then there is the Hippodrome and the Roman cisterns. The Blue Mosque, Constantine's Column and the Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar has 4,000 shops and 28 gatesand it is the oldest covered bazaar in the world  built in 1453...

The northern part of the European side is the old Italian, in newer times the European city. Nevertheless it has today a great Turkish atmosphere. The pedestrian precinct on the Istiklal Caddesi (the Boulevard of Independence) is one of the most powerful areas in the whole city: day and night! While this part was called in earlier times Pera, it is known today as Beyoglu. This part of town is also famous for bars, restaurants and shopping. It is really charming to have a ride on the historical "tramvay" but - as always in Istanbul - it is rewarding to stroll around.