What You Should Know About Istanbul and Life There:
Istanbul is one of the largest cities in Turkey and ranks seventh globally in terms of population, with an estimated population of about 15 million. It is the cultural, economic, and tourism capital of Turkey.
The city is located in the Marmara region, in northwestern Turkey, and features a diverse geographical landscape, spanning across two continents.
Istanbul is known by several names, including:
- Astana
- Byzantium
- (Islamabad)
- Constantinople
- The City of Minarets
- The City of Seven Hills
Facts and Figures about Istanbul:
The city is divided into 40 municipalities, 27 of which make up the city center, and all of these municipalities are collectively known as Greater Istanbul.
- Total Area of the City: 5,461 km²
- Land Area: 5,343 km²
- Central City Area: 1,830 km²
Economically, Istanbul is the largest industrial center in Turkey, with the highest growth rates in the country:
- Exports: 55%
- Industrial Production: 38%
- Employment: 20%
Map of Istanbul in Arabic
This is an image showing the areas of Istanbul with their names in Arabic and their distribution.
Istanbul Map
List of Municipalities in Istanbul + Their Location on the Map:
Managing a mega-city like Istanbul is a highly challenging task, which is why the city is divided according to a municipal system. The Greater Istanbul Municipality is the main center and the nerve center coordinating operations and oversight for the rest of the municipalities:
- Greater Istanbul
- Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
- Küçükçekmece
- Arnavutköy
- Sarıyer
- Avcılar
- Silivri
- Başakşehir
- Sultangazi
- Bağcılar
- Şişli
- Bakırköy
- Zeytinburnu
- Bahçelievler
- Adalar (Princes’ Islands)
- Bayrampaşa
- Ataşehir
- Beşiktaş
- Beykoz
- Beylikdüzü
- Çekmeköy
- Beyoğlu
- Kartal
- Büyükçekmece
- Kadıköy
- Çamlıca
- Maltepe
- Esenler
- Pendik
- Esenyurt
- Sancaktepe
- Eyüpsultan
- Sultanbeyli
- Fatih
- Şile
- Gaziosmanpaşa
- Tuzla
- Güngören
- Ümraniye
- Kâğıthane
- Üsküdar
Studying in Istanbul
Universities in Istanbul:
With the impressive development that the city continues to experience, many universities have been established. By the end of the last century, the Turkish government began opening many private universities, aiming to introduce the world to Turkish culture and civilization by offering Turkish language courses and accepting foreign students to study for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Turkish or English.
International Schools in Istanbul:
International and Arabic schools in Istanbul are popular with the Arab community, where thousands of families who have decided to reside and own property in Istanbul wish to continue their children’s education in Arabic. These schools teach the curricula approved in several Arab countries and focus on languages such as English, French, and Turkish, according to the needs of each family. This has led to an increasing demand for this type of school recently.
Transportation in Istanbul
Due to its vast geographical expanse, transportation is a crucial aspect of life in Istanbul, especially considering the city’s significant congestion — it ranks ninth globally in terms of traffic congestion, according to the popular TomTom website. Therefore, the Turkish government is actively developing major projects and modern infrastructure to improve transportation. Below is an overview of the various modes of transportation and important details about them:
Istanbul Metro – Metro Istanbul:
The metro is one of the most important means of transportation in Istanbul due to its high speed. The metro operates on underground tunnels and lines, forming an extensive network that allows easy movement throughout Istanbul.
You can view the Istanbul Metro map and learn about the names of stations and areas covered by the Istanbul Metro.
Metrobus – Metrobus:
The Metrobus is a combination of a metro and a bus, operating on wide, dedicated lanes built in the middle of highways.
The significance of the Metrobus lies in the following:
- 24/7 Operation: The Metrobus operates around the clock without interruption and can accommodate up to 2 million people daily, making it available at any time of the day.
- Minimal Time Gaps: A Metrobus passes approximately every 30 seconds, unlike some other transportation methods that may require long waiting times.
- High Speed: The dedicated lanes allow Metrobus vehicles to bypass traffic congestion. It connects the European and Asian parts of the city, starting from Beylikdüzü — a modern suburb in European Istanbul — to Söğütlüçeşme station in the Asian part of the city through more than 45 stations in about 90 minutes, compared to 3 hours by car during peak times.
- Environmental Benefits: The Metrobus reduces harmful gas emissions, making it an eco-friendly means of transport.
You can check the names of Metrobus stations in Istanbul and the routes they follow on the Metrobus map.
Tram – Tramvay:
The tram is an electric train that runs on tracks laid on the ground, sharing the road with other vehicles. It provides fast access to major areas of Istanbul. Here is a table listing the tramway lines in Istanbul and the areas they serve:
| Line Name | Areas Covered |
|---|---|
| T1 hattı | Kabataş – Bağcılar |
| T3 hattı | Kadıköy – Moda |
| T4 hattı | Topkapı – Mescid-i Selam |
| T5 hattı | Cibali – Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı |
Public Buses – Otobus:
Public buses are the most common means of transportation, with more than 6,000 buses and 800 routes covering almost all neighborhoods and areas of Istanbul. These buses use a modern payment system, the Istanbulkart, which offers various pricing options with discounts based on categories such as:
- Students
- Teachers
- Monthly subscriptions
- Spouses of martyrs
- Seniors over 65
- And other classifications based on societal values and needs.
Foreigners can use designated machines at most stations to purchase and recharge cards. You can get a discount if you reuse the card within one hour for more than one bus ride.
Many buses on public transport routes and Metrobus lines are equipped with free internet access and suitable charging outlets for smart devices. The Mobiett app (available for Android and iPhone) is Istanbul’s official transportation app, known for its high accuracy in bus arrival times and allows real-time tracking of bus movements on the map.
Dolmuş:
Dolmuş is a shared minibus or medium-sized bus that often operates on specific local routes. Fares are calculated based on the distance to the passenger’s destination. It is known for its speed, with the ability to stop and drop off passengers anywhere without being restricted to specific stops.
- Taxi: Taxis are available in all areas of Istanbul, with several taxi points in every neighborhood. You can easily request a taxi anytime.
You can also request a taxi through the iTaksi app, which is widely used in Turkey by most taxi drivers. Payment can be made in cash, by credit card, or through the Istanbul Card for transportation.
Recently, the Istanbul Municipality launched modern electric taxis with a distinct turquoise color.
Ferries – Deniz Otobüsü:
Due to Istanbul’s unique location between Europe and Asia, surrounded by seas, maritime transportation is vital. It also offers beautiful views while traveling.
Ferries operate on specific routes between several stations within Istanbul and beyond, connecting it to other cities like:
- Bursa
- Yalova
- Balıkesir
- Kocaeli
- Gebze
- Eskihisar
These trips can be booked through the website of the Governmental Marine Transport Company (IDO).
Approximately every 20 minutes, a tourist trip departs from small ports scattered throughout Istanbul.
Here are the main ports in Istanbul:
European Side:
- Yenikapı
- Avcılar
- Eminönü
- Beşiktaş
Asian Side:
- Princes’ Islands
- Kadıköy
- Üsküdar
Additionally, some modern residential projects in Istanbul offer private water taxi services, such as the Marjan Marmara project in Beylikdüzü, providing quick water routes to residents and guests, bypassing road traffic and saving hours of waiting during peak times.
The Most Important Projects in Istanbul
Here is an overview of the top 5 projects implemented by the Turkish government in Istanbul:
Istanbul International Airport (İstanbul Havalimanı)
Istanbul International Airport connects 60 countries around the world and provides an economic value of up to 20 trillion dollars. This airport allows you to reach 66 countries within just 5 hours from Istanbul!
This airport is the third in Istanbul, following Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side and Atatürk Airport on the European side, making Istanbul an airport hub for the entire world.
Istanbul Canal (Kanal İstanbul)
The Istanbul Canal project (known as the “Project of the Century” or the “Dream”) is one of the largest projects of the 21st century, not only in Turkey but globally. The project’s goal is to connect the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
This canal will present a significant opportunity for the real estate sector in Istanbul, and property prices have already begun to rise in the city before the construction of the canal, particularly in areas like Avcılar, Başakşehir, Küçükçekmece, and Arnavutköy.
This has also led to the establishment of several large projects in the Başakşehir area, such as commercial complexes, health facilities, sports centers, and transportation projects.
Eurasia Tunnel (Avrasya Tüneli)
The Eurasia Tunnel connects the two sides of Istanbul via a road under the sea, stretching 14.6 km, 3.4 km of which runs under the Bosphorus Strait. It is designated for cars and small to medium-sized buses, reducing travel time from 100 minutes to just 15 minutes, thus alleviating traffic congestion in Istanbul.
The tunnel consists of two levels, with two lanes on each level—one for going and one for returning. It features advanced, modern technology and also includes lower passages for vehicles and upper walkways for pedestrians.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Yavuz Sultan Selim Köprüsü)
Built as the third bridge linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, this bridge is also known as the Third Bosphorus Bridge or the Third Istanbul Bridge. The bridge spans the Bosphorus Strait and plays a crucial role in easing traffic congestion in Istanbul, allowing for the passage of 1.5 million people.
Mall of Istanbul (Mall of İstanbul)
The largest shopping mall on the European side of Istanbul, it houses famous international brands and stores for clothing, restaurants, and jewelry. It also features the largest indoor amusement park in Europe. The Mall of Istanbul consists of four sections:
- Luxury hotel section (Mall of Istanbul Hotel)
- Shopping and retail section
- Commercial offices section (Mall of Istanbul Offices)
- Residential complexes section (Apartments in Mall of Istanbul)
The Most Beautiful Tourist Attractions in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
When visiting Istanbul, you must think of seeing one of its most iconic landmarks: the famous Hagia Sophia, which stands as a historical, cultural, and architectural signature. Originally a church, it was converted into a mosque after the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who purchased Hagia Sophia from its owners. After the end of the Ottoman rule, it was turned into a museum by Turkish President Atatürk, and then, in 2020, it was restored as a mosque by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in fulfillment of Sultan Mehmed’s will. Hagia Sophia is located in the Sultanahmet area in Fatih.
Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
Topkapi Palace, or “Palace of the High Gate,” is one of Istanbul’s famous tourist attractions and the largest palace in the city. It was the residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries when Istanbul was the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The palace was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1459 and later became a museum, attracting tourists eager to see Ottoman heritage. The Topkapi Museum is located in the Fatih district, in the area of Cankurtaran.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Also known as the “Blue Mosque,” it is located in the Sultanahmet area in Fatih. The mosque was built by the famous architect Mehmet Agha, a student of the renowned architect Mimar Sinan, between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque is named the “Blue Mosque” because its interior walls are adorned with blue Iznik tiles. Its architectural design allows sunlight to enter through the mosque’s windows, reflecting on the blue tiles and creating a stunning visual effect.
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
This market was built during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1461 and took about four years to construct. It was expanded by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The market was damaged by an earthquake and was restored in 1894.
Located in the Beyazit area in Fatih, the Grand Bazaar is a famous historical landmark visited daily by around 400,000 people. It houses approximately 5,000 shops and stalls spread over 60 streets and employs around 26,000 people.
Poet Joseph Brodsky described it in his book “A Journey to Istanbul” as “the heart, brain, and soul of Istanbul,” and also as “a city within a city built in the past.”
Gülhane Park (Gülhane Park)
Gülhane Park, also known as Emirgan Park, is one of Istanbul’s unique gardens, filled with beautiful tulip flowers that adorn the park with their vibrant colors, making it look like a rainbow. The park is also filled with fragrant scents that spread throughout, creating a lush green expanse that feels like a living painting. Gülhane Park is located in the Cankurtaran area in Fatih.
Every April, a festival called the “Tulip Festival” is held, which enjoys great fame and attention. The tulip flower holds a special place in Ottoman culture, which introduced the flower to Europe and the rest of the world. Historians have called the flower the “Tulip Era” or “Lale” period, referring to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire, during which sultans were particularly fond of literature, art, and culture, and ordered the tulip to be planted all over the city due to their love for this beautiful flower.
