Istanbul: Where East Meets West in a Vibrant Tapestry of Culture and History
Istanbul Vibes. This is where Europe and Asia meet. A land with a history of civilization spanning tens of thousands of years. In a way the birthplace of everything. Napoleon once said if the world were a single country, Istanbul would probably be its capital.
A Cosmopolitan Megacity
Today, Istanbul is home to more than 20 million people making it one of the 10 most populated cities in the world. Every year a number equivalent to 5% of its population comes to Istanbul for various reasons. This percentage is high even for a metropolis, much like in past generations the city has a cosmopolitan structure and is a destination for many foreign visitors. Only 25% of the 20 million population in Istanbul were born there and more than half of the city’s residents are newcomers.
Instanbul, A Melting Pot of Cultures where Europe and Asia meet
In general, it can be said that around 1-5 of Turkey’s nearly 90 million population lives in Istanbul. Despite such crowds, Istanbul is a city that captivates those who come to it. It has antique shops, numerous cafes, restaurants, authentic stores, historical landmarks and people from all walks of life.
Vibrant Markets and Sporting Events
If you want to buy or sell something in Turkey, you won’t find a livelier market than Istanbul. Are you a sports enthusiast? The city hosts the country’s best sports events. Moreover, it boasts a splendid view of the Sea of Marmara. In this sense, large passenger ships dock not only by land and air but also by sea, making the city a tourist hub.
The Cost of Cosmopolitan Living
Yet perhaps due to the tourism potential,Istanbul is quite expensive and caters more to the affluent. Especially on Saturdays and Sundays, the world’s largest cruise ships leave thousands of tourists in the city. Most of these visitors are Europeans and Americans. Arab tourists, on the other hand, typically reach Istanbul by air. Therefore, if you sit in cafes near the port, you’ll probably be sipping the most expensive coffees in Istanbul. The cafes and restaurants here add a profit margin of around 100 Turkish liras, which is approximately $4 for every product they sell. It should be noted that in places like Galata Port, prices are even more expensive for an ordinary person.
Istanbul Summer Vibes by the Coastline
However, especially in the summer, common entertainment areas are set up along the city’s coastline for families of all incomes. Live music, events, exhibitions, DJs and more always keep Istanbul vibrant. During these months, people have already worn their winter clothes and are content with strolling along the coast and taking walks.
Culinary Delights and Street Scenes
Enjoying a fish sandwich on the shores of Istanbul is an extremely popular activity and receives intense attention. The usually grilled fish sandwiches with mackerel, it turns into a magnificent flavour with a bit of onion and greens. For example, in Karakoy, some establishments only sell soup and you can taste every kind of soup hot and fresh. People practically line up in front of these establishments.
Also, if you are going to experience Istanbul vibes for the first time, you can easily notice this, especially in the narrow streets of Beorglussi Hangir, many cats add colour to the texture of the city.
Istanbul, Diverse Architecture and Vibrant Energy
In Istanbul, you can find colourful buildings with graffiti, steep and narrow alleys, animal-loving people and more. Looking at people’s faces, you can see that the younger and middle-aged population is more concentrated in this area. In terms of posture, they have a dynamic, self-aware and energetic appearance.
