How Can You Experience Both European and Asian Culture in Istanbul?
Istanbul being a city of two continents is a place where one can get a rare chance to experience both the European and the Asian culture in Istanbul with a single trip. The European part of the city is located on the Bosphorus Strait, and is famous with historical splendor, landmarks of centuries, colorful streets and a modern blend of modernity and tradition. In the meantime, the Asian side has a more relaxed, local and natural scenery giving a new variant of the Istanbul rich culture tapestry. It is this very blend which makes Istanbul a destination to be visited by every person willing to have an experience of both Europe and Asia without even moving out of one city.
To tourists who want to experience most out of their stay, it is highly advantageous to join a Guided Turkey Tour. A professional guide would not only make sure that you are not left out of important places but also give you historical knowledge and local stories about the city that will make it interesting. The example of Turkey Sightseeing Tours provided by Go Kite Tours is aimed at providing visitors with in depth exploration of both continents, be it the sightseeing the famous monuments of Sultanahmet or walking around the busy streets of Kadıköy. Through these tours, the tourists will be able to have a hassle-free tour of the various neighborhood of Istanbul as well as learn more about the cultural and historical importance of the city.
Here are some ways you can experience both European and Asian culture in Istanbul.
On the European Side: A Medley of History and Modernity.
The city has its cultural and historical center located on the European part of Istanbul. It has long been the home of empires, Byzantium, Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire, and this great historicity is reflected in its landmarks. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in the Sultanahmet district are the leaders of such historic places. Hagia Sophia, with its beautiful Byzantine structure, domed roof, and elaborate mosaics is an embodiment of the ancient religious and cultural importance of Istanbul. A short stroll down the road, the Blue Mosque is a spectacle that amazes the visitors with its six minarets, blue tiles and a grand magnificent courtyard that gives them a memorable experience of the Ottoman architecture and its brilliance. A Guided Tour of Turkey through these sites gives the tourists a background and history of each building and makes visiting the places worthwhile.
The European side is characterized by a strong European atmosphere as one walk along the streets of the European side. Paving, neoclassic, and crowded cafes draw a feel of the old European city. Turkey Sightseeing Tours will enable the tourist to take his time to visit this side, the sights will include Sultanahmet Square, Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar. Especially the Grand Bazaar is an essential visit that offers its colorful carpets, spices, jewellery, and souvenirs which provide them with experience of local life without leaving a historically European setting. To the lovers of the fusion of the old and the new, a ride in the historic tram in the Istiklal Street is a fascinating experience. In this case, centuries old architecture coexists with modern shopping, eating places and art galleries, and these represent the unique place that Istanbul occupies between the past and the present.
The Galata tower is the best place to visit in order to have panoramic views of the city. On its top, the visitors will have the panoramic views of the city, the Bosphorus Strait, and the Asian side on the other side of the water. As one of the landmarks of the European-side tour, many Turkey Sightseeing Tours offer tourists to enjoy the Istanbul city in a different perspective and comprehend its strategic and cultural importance.
Getting to the Asian Side across the Bosphorus: More Local.
The trip to the Istanbul is not complete without visiting the Asian side that has a more local and relaxed environment than the European counterpart. The ride through the Bosphorus Strait is something to be enjoyed on its own. Tourists have an opportunity to ride a scenic ferry boat or a cruise across the Bosphorus with a sight of the city skyline, lavish palaces, and bridges floating on water. The other way is through the Marmaray railway tunnel that provides a quicker and more contemporary underground linking the two continents. These are the common travel alternatives that a Guided Turkey Tour provides to a visitor, as they move in between the continents easily with the added bonus of providing some details about the history and architecture of the city.
The neighborhood such as Kadikoy once they are on the Asian side reflect the daily routine of the residents of Istanbul. One of the most vibrant areas in the city, Kadıköy boasts of family-owned restaurants, markets and seafood, which is fresh and provides tourists with a true experience of the local culture. Tourists will be able to walk along small streets with boutique shops, taste traditional Turkish cuisine, and have a cup of coffee in a small cafe, which will help observe another tourist side of Istanbul. Another interesting place of sightseeing is the sea front of Uskuder featuring its historical mosques. It is especially beautiful during a sun set, when the sky casts the Bosphorus with the colors of orange and pink and provides a calm atmosphere to a calm stroll on the coastal side.
Turkey Sightseeing Tours by Go Kite Tours are a great option to those that are interested in experiencing all the aspects of the dual cultural identity of Istanbul. Such tours enable tourists to easily cross the European and Asian borders giving them some historical background and a local understanding. It is easy and educative to explore the entire range of European and Asian culture in Istanbul whether walking up and down the historic lanes of Sultanahmet or sampling the street vendors in Kadikoy.
Tracing Both Worlds in Go Kite Tours.
Organized tours are one of the best things that can make a person have a real experience of the European and the Asian culture in Istanbul. Go Kite Tours provides customized tours, which show the diversity in history and culture of the city. Their Guided Turkey Tour packages have organized tours of landmarks to visit during the European side, including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, and local ones to visit on the Asian side, including Kadıköy and Uskudar. Using Go Kite Tours, the visitors can save time, eliminate logistical problems, and become an insider, knowing more about Istanbul through professional guides.
In addition to this, Go Kite Tours will make sure that the traveler has a perfect combination of sightseeing and relaxation. It can be a sunset cruise along the Bosphorus, strolling across the local markets or enjoying the traditional Turkish food, the tours will be aimed at showing the contrast and the unity of the European and the Asian part. Taking a trip to Istanbul, a Turkey Sightseeing Tour with Go Kite Tours is a great option not only to get to know the cultural life of the city but also to experience the most unforgettable moments in the country capital.
Conclusion
Istanbul indeed is a city of convergence of worlds, cultures and histories. This is because taking a trip to Turkey to experience the European and Asian culture in Istanbul gives the traveler a chance to see the diversity of this city first hand, starting with the splendor of the historic landmarks on the European part of the city and ending with the simple everyday life in the Asian part of it. Having such a strategic position, rich history and the local culture, Istanbul is one of the few cities where one can find two continents without leaving the city.
In order to have an all-inclusive experience, it is worth joining a Turkey Sightseeing Tours with Go Kite Tours. With these tours, there will be a smooth experience in traversing the bosphorus, informative guidance and the ability to see the off path treasures and as such the tourists will find themselves appreciating both faces of Istanbul in a comfortable and fulfilling manner. Selecting Go Kite Tours, the travelers will be able to plunge into the multifaceted identity of the city, impress with the memories and really feel the magic of Istanbul, the city which is the place where Europe and Asia meet each other perfectly.