About Istanbul

	You can Discover With 8,500 years of a glamorous history, Istanbul has always been an important metropolis of its days. Former capital of many empires including Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire the city holds within some of the precious ancient monuments as well as a unique beauty with the Bosphorus running across the city separating Europe and Asia.
	You can Explore 8500 years of history, capital of 3 great empires, population of 14.2 million, top 10 tourism and congress destination, world’s ‘Number 1’ congress destination since 2011 with more than 500 delegates, 2010 European Capital of Culture, 2012 European Capital of Sport, connecting 2 continents-Europe and Asia, 70 public and private museums, almost 200 shopping malls, 5 imperial palaces, dozens of summer palaces and mansions, 4 historic bazaars, 49 universities, 4 seasons throughout the year.
	You can Fly Istanbul is considered to be one of the main air trafc hubs connecting more than 300 international airlines from Europe to Middle-East, Asia and Africa. Thanks to the Turkish Airlines massive network (ying to more countries in the world than any other airline) Istanbul became a more popular and widely visited destination with 2 international airports in each continents.
	You can Travel Istanbul offers a huge network of public easily be accessed with a single transportation card – Istanbulkart. With city busses, ‘Dolmus’ yellow minibus routes, ferries, sea-busses, railways such as subway and tram systems, Istanbul offers plenty options to get around the city.
	You can Stay The hub city for many cultures over the centuries Istanbul offers a variety of accommodation choices. With almost 100.000 guestrooms, over 170 ve-star hotels including both international and Turkish chains, a variety of deluxe hotels situated in the Bosphorus shore and ancient peninsula, including suitable lofts near the central areas. The variety of hotels and the breath-taking sites of Istanbul will turn your stay into a unique experience to never be forgotten.pe and Asia.
	You can Experience A wide range of historic places from Ottoman Palace’s to cisterns, from modern facilities to mansions on Bosphorus shores, Istanbul awaits you with unique venues to meet a fusion of diverse cultures and a wonderful cuisine of the East and the West. Whether a gala dinner or a social event, for any programme you may conduct, Istanbul is ready for you with a promise of an unforgettable experience.
	You can Visit One of the most prestigious capitals of the ancient and modern world, Istanbul owns both religious and cultural phenomena of centuries as it is the only city that has marked the ending of an era in history with its conquest. Some of the wonderful sites of Istanbul are Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque, Maiden’s Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, Princes’ Islands and many more.
	You can Taste The Turkish cuisine’s richness of variety offers a wide choice for those who want to experience and enjoy new avours. From exquisite pastry choices to delicious meat, sh and vegetable specialities; Turkey’s gastronomic panorama reects a remarkable culinary synthesis coming from its cultural heritage. Istanbul provides a wide range of food choices originated from all around the world.
	You can Enjoy There is a common saying in Istanbul that states “this city never sleeps”. The hub of many different cultures living in harmony, Istanbul is the ultimate dining, shopping, music and entertainment capital of Turkey. Throughout the year in Istanbul, many events, concerts, art exhibitions and social gatherings all occur at once. Also Istanbul offers a variety of shopping opportunities of both authentic antiquities of Ottoman style to the modern multinational brands.
	You can Meet Istanbul Congress Center is situated in the heart of Istanbul’s business and cultural district, on a hill looking down onto the Bosphorus strait towards the Asian half of the city. The location of the Congress Center combines leading international and Turkish three, four and ve-star hotels within walking distance as well as exclusive shopping areas and vibrant Taksim.