Istanbul: The Crossroads of Continents

• HelloMerhaba
  [mehr-hah-bah]
• GoodbyeHoşça kal
  [hosh-cha kal]
• YesEvet
  [eh-vet]
• NoHayır
  [hah-yuhr]
• Please/You're welcomeLütfen
  [loot-fen]
• Thank youTeşekkür ederim
  [teh-sheh-kuhr eh-deh-reem]
• Excuse me/SorryÖzür dilerim
  [oz-oer dee-leh-reem]
• How are you?Nasılsınız?
  [nah-suhl-suh-nuhz]
• Fine. And you?İyiyim. Siz?
  [ee-yee-yeem. siz]
• Do you speak English?İngilizce konuşuyor musunuz?
  [een-gee-leez-jeh koh-noo-shoo-yohr moo-soo-nooz]
• I don't understandAnlamıyorum
  [ahn-lah-muh-yoh-room]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenüyü görmek istiyorum, lütfen
  [meh-noo-yoo guhr-mehk ees-tee-yoh-room, loot-fen]
• I don't eat meatEt yemem
  [et yeh-mehm]
• Cheers!Şerefe!
  [sheh-reh-feh]
• I would like to pay, pleaseÖdemek istiyorum, lütfen
  [oeh-deh-mehk ees-tee-yoh-room, loot-fen]

• Help!Yardım edin!
  [yahr-duhm eh-deen]
• Go away!Uzaklaş!
  [oo-zahk-lahsh]
• Call the Police!Polisi arayın!
  [poh-lee-see ah-rah-yuhn]
• Call a doctor!Doktor çağırın!
  [dohk-tohr chah-yuh-ruhn]
• I'm lostKayboldum
  [kay-bohl-doom]
• I'm illHasta'yım
  [hah-stah-yuhm]

• I'd like to buy...Satın almak istiyorum...
  [saht-uhn ahl-mahk ees-tee-yoh-room]
• I'm just lookingSadece bakıyorum
  [sah-deh-jeh bah-kuh-yoh-room]
• How much is it?Bu ne kadar?
  [boo neh kah-dahr]
• That's too expensiveBu çok pahalı
  [boo chohk pah-hah-luh]
• Can you lower the price?Fiyatı indirebilir misiniz?
  [fee-yah-tuh een-dee-reh-bee-leer mee-see-neez]

• What time is it?Saat kaç?
  [saht kahch]
• It's one o'clockSaat bir
  [saht beer]
• Half past (10)On buçuk
  [on boo-chook]
• MorningSabah
  [sah-bah]
• AfternoonÖğleden sonra
  [oh-leh-dehn ah-suh-rah]
• EveningAkşam
  [ahk-shahm]
• YesterdayDün
  [doon]
• TodayBugün
  [boo-goon]
• TomorrowYarın
  [yah-ruhn]
• 1Bir
  [beer]
• 2İki
  [ee-kee]
• 3Üç
  [ooch]
• 4Dört
  [duhrht]
• 5Beş
  [behsh]
• 6Altı
  [ahl-tuh]
• 7Yedi
  [yeh-dee]
• 8Sekiz
  [seh-keez]
• 9Dokuz
  [doh-kooz]
• 10On
  [ohn]

• Where's a/the...?...nerede?
  [neh-reh-deh]
• What's the address?Adres nedir?
  [ah-drehs neh-deer]
• Can you show me (on the map)?(Haritada) gösterebilir misiniz?
  [(hah-ree-tah-dah) guhs-teh-reh-bee-leer mee-see-neez]
• When's the next (bus)?Sonraki (otobüs) ne zaman?
  [sohn-rah-kee (oh-toh-buhs) neh zah-mahn]
• A ticket (to ....)Bir bilet (....'a)
  [beer bee-leht (ah)]

Istanbul, originally known as Byzantium, was founded by Greek settlers from Megara in 667 BC. The city's strategic location on the Bosporus strait made it an important center for trade and military advantage. Byzantium thrived as a bustling port city under various rulers before falling under Roman control in 196 AD.

In 330 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great re-founded Byzantium as Constantinople, making it the new capital of the Roman Empire. This transformation marked the beginning of the city's golden age. The city was adorned with grand structures like the Hagia Sophia, which remained the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years.

Constantinople became the heart of the Byzantine Empire, a beacon of Orthodox Christianity and a hub of trade and culture. Despite facing numerous sieges, the city withstood various attacks, including those from the Persians, Arabs, and Bulgars, thanks to its formidable Theodosian Walls.

In 1204, the Fourth Crusade diverted from its original goal and sacked Constantinople, leading to a period of Latin rule. This era saw the establishment of the Latin Empire, which lasted until 1261 when the Byzantines, under Michael VIII Palaiologos, recaptured the city.

On May 29, 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. The city's capture was a pivotal event in world history, signaling the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the transition of Constantinople into an Islamic city.

Renamed Istanbul, the city flourished as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. This period saw the construction of iconic architectural marvels such as the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul became a melting pot of cultures, blending Ottoman, Persian, Arabic, and Byzantine influences.

Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, Istanbul was occupied by Allied forces. In 1923, the Republic of Turkey was established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and Ankara became the new capital. Despite no longer being the capital, Istanbul continued to thrive as Turkey's cultural and economic heart.

Today, Istanbul is a vibrant metropolis straddling two continents, Europe and Asia. Its rich history is evident in its diverse neighborhoods, historic landmarks, and cultural festivals. Istanbul remains a city where ancient traditions and modernity coexist, continuing to enchant visitors from around the world.

Istanbul is served by two major international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side. Both airports offer a variety of flights from cities around the world. From the airport, you can take a taxi, shuttle bus, or public transport to reach the city center. The Havaist bus service from Istanbul Airport and Havabus from Sabiha Gökçen Airport are convenient and affordable options.

Istanbul has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trams, metro lines, ferries, and funiculars. The Istanbulkart, a reloadable card, is the most convenient way to pay for public transport. Taxis and ridesharing services like BiTaksi and Uber are also available. For a unique experience, consider taking a ferry ride across the Bosphorus to enjoy scenic views of the city.

The official currency of Turkiye is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it is advisable to carry some cash for small purchases or in case of technical issues. ATMs are plentiful in Istanbul, and currency exchange offices offer competitive rates.

Istanbul is generally safe for tourists, but it is wise to stay vigilant. Avoid isolated areas at night and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places like markets and public transport. Some areas, such as Tarlabaşı and parts of Aksaray, have higher crime rates and should be avoided, particularly after dark. Stick to well-lit, busy areas and be cautious when approached by strangers.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for medical assistance, 155 for police, and 110 for fire services. Hospitals and clinics are available throughout the city, with several offering services in foreign languages. It's advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies (Eczane) are easily found and can provide over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Women should cover their heads in mosques. Avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs. Remove your shoes before entering mosques. Public Transport: Do give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don’t eat or drink on trams and buses. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake. Men may greet close male friends with a kiss on each cheek. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t refuse tea, as it is a significant part of Turkish hospitality.

To experience Istanbul like a local, take a stroll through neighborhood markets like Kadıköy or Beşiktaş. Enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) in a local café. Visit the lesser-known mosques and historical sites to escape the crowds. Take a ferry ride to the Princes' Islands for a day trip. Spend an evening at a meyhane (tavern) enjoying live music and meze (small dishes).