Istanbul  is Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul’s population is estimated to be 16 millions.So istanbul is the biggest city in europe…

and there are a lot of beatiful places to see.

Sultanahmet is the Istanbul of postcards and history. This small peninsula has witnessed more history than most countries. If you see only one building while here, make it the Haghia Sophia (‘Holy Wisdom’, Sultanahmet Square, 522 1750). After close to 1,000 years as a church and then 500 years as chief mosque of the Ottoman Empire, it’s now revered by Christians and Muslims alike. Directly north of Haghia Sophia is the imperial enclave of Topkapı Palace (Bab-ı Hümayün Caddesi, Gülhane, 512 0480, closed Tue). The palace was the hub of Ottoman power for more than three centuries, and for lavish decor and exquisite setting, it is a must-see.

The Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque (At Meydanı Sokak 17, Sultanahmet, 458 0776) is the obvious mosque to visit, but try also to see one designed by Mimar Sinan, such as Suleymaniye, behind the Grand Bazaar, or Rüstem Pasa near the Galata Bridge.

The Grand Bazaar is often claimed to be the world’s oldest shopping centre. The streets around it now host most of the real trading but the bazaar is still the centre for jewellery and the top place for fabrics.

Downhill from the bazaar quarter is the Golden Horn, lined by long-neglected neighbourhoods that are now candidates for gentrification. The water is spanned by the modern Galata Bridge, which links the old city with the new to the north. Beyoglu is the commercial and cultural centre of town, concentrated around pedestrianised Istiklal Caddesi.

It is this diversity which remains unique to Istanbul today. Istanbul was stripped of its place as Turkey’s capital in 1923, although still remains as the country’s most densely populated city after much development in the 20th century.

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