Life
Istanbul city life
Istanbul’s long history as the capital of empires has left it with a rich collection of monuments and landmarks, that are world renown tourist attractions:
- Hagia Sophia
- The Blue Mosque
- The Grand Bazaar
- Topkapi Palace
- The Golden Horn
- Prince Island
Istanbul is a great place for sightseeing, with numerous pedestrian walkways, squares and parks, as well as docks and bridges from where to admire the scenery. There are several options for ferries and boats which offer trips through the Bosphorus Strait, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Istanbul also has a rich sports life, with many valuable soccer teams, as well as world-renown basketball teams. As a bustling tourist attraction, Istanbul also has a rich nightlife with numerous clubs and bars catering to the demands of foreigners interested in music and parties.
International atmosphere in Istanbul
Istanbul is a very cosmopolitan city, especially given its position between Europe and Asia. It is a bustling centre of trade, research and culture, gathering tourists, expats and international students from all across the world. Besides Turkish, English is widely spoken, as well as Arabic, Russian and Greek. Istanbul has quite a tolerant community, with various faiths coexisting peacefully. Thanks to its large student community, the majority of the city is very young and dynamic.
Weather Istanbul
The weather in Istanbul fluctuates greatly due to its geographic position, however, generally, it is very humid, with abundant fog. Winters are cold, with average January temperatures of about 4 °C (39 °F) and unpredictable snowfall. Average annual precipitation are around 810 millimetres (31.9 in). Summers are mild, with little or no rainfall and average temperatures in July of 29 °C (84 °F).