Istanbul | Travel Information│ASIANA AIRLINES
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City Description

Istanbul, a beautiful travel destination with a mix of Eastern and Western cultures

Serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is where the cultures of the East and West come together in harmony.

Once the capital of Byzantine for 1,000 years and the Ottoman Empire for 700 years, Istanbul is home to historical ruins, needless to say, and is a true tourist attraction with its beautiful nature. When you see the sight of the Bosphorus, which divides Europe and Asia of Istanbul, you will forget all the sorrows of the world and be captivated by the beautiful panorama that displays before your eyes.

Also in Istanbul, you will feel the unfamiliarity of the Islamic culture but somehow, it will also feel familiar. This is what makes Istanbul so captivating. The Turks are somehow quite similar to KOreans. They are affectionate, honor the elderly, helpful, and are especially kind to KOreans. Memories of their dispatched soldiers during the KOrean War and the 2002 World Cup are still etched in their hearts, and they consider KOrea as a brother nation. They are the first to warmly lend a hand when we visit their country.

Their are other endless charms to this city. When you cross over to the new city from the old city, it may feel like you have traveled through time. After seeing the ruins of the glorious Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and cross over to new town, the industrial center, where there are large shopping malls, luxury hotels, and young people, you will feel as if you’ve jumped 500 years into the future.

As such, Istanbul is full of charms hidden around the city, and this wonderful city is a must visit.

Travel Tip

1. Simple Greetings
The people of Turkey are very fond of Koreans and warmly greet them as they consider Korea as their Brother Nation. Say “merhaba” (hello) and “tesekkur ederim” (thank you) to the kindhearted Turkish people.
2. Climate
Turkey has four distinct spring/summer/autumn/winter seasons. The weather is similar to that of Korea, so you should pack accordingly. The sun is very strong in the summer, and it rains frequently in the winter.
3. Food
Turkish cuisine is one of the top 3 world cuisines, boasting an assortment of dishes and excellent taste. While Turkey is famous for kebabs, cold appetizers with olive oil are delectable and mouthwatering.
4. Currency
The Turkish lira, dollar, and euro are all commonly used. If you are paying in dollars or euros, there may be exchange gains or losses. Therefore, it is most ideal to exchange small amount of dollars or euros into Turkish lira.
5. Voltage
The local electricity voltage used in Turkey is 220V, same as Korea. Therefore, you are able to use Korean electronic appliances.

Suggested Itinerary

* You can download the suggested itinerary in PDF.

AM 9:30
Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is considered the best masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and represents Turkey not only for its architecture but also as the venue for various religions for many years.

AM 10:30
Sultan Ahmet Camii

Better known as the Blue Mosque, this temple is one of the main tourist attractions in old town, characterized by beautiful blue tiles and unique and beautiful interior with light illuminating through stained glass.

AM 11:00
Basilica Cistern

It was an important water storage unit for the surrounding areas from the Byzantine to the Ottoman period. Inside the palace there is the head of Medusa, discovered during renovation work in 1984.

PM 1:00
Hippodrome of Constantinople

It is the ruins of a large amphitheater of the Roman empire on the west side of Sultan Ahmet Camii.

PM 2:00
Grand Bazaar

It is called “Kapali Carsi” in Turkish, meaning “a market with a roof.” In the small shops here, you can purchase jewelry and various souvenirs. It is very wide and crowded, so you will need more than two hours to get around the market.

PM 4:00
Eminonu Square

There are lots to see at the Eminonu Square.

Among them, the Egyptian bazaar, along with the Grand Bazaar, is Istanbul’s largest indoor traditional market and sells spices, Turkish delight, and Turkish ceramic products.

Yeni Cami is a mosque by the Galata Bridge. It is the one of the beautiful mosques of Istanbul, along with Süleymaniye Mosque.

In addition, the Galata Bridge, situated on the Golden Horn, connects the Eminonu Port and the Karakoy Port.

AM 9:30
Topkapı Palace

The Topkapı Palace was built by the Ottoman Empire, who wielded strong power from the mid-15th century to the 20th century, and is built on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus.

Gülhane Park, located right next to Topkapı Palace, is a good place for a leisurely stroll.

PM 1:00
Bosphorus Cruise Tour

There is no better way to enjoy the 30 km long Bosphorus than on the Bosphorus cruise. The cruise departs from Eminonu and Kabatas, and takes more than an hour.

PM 3:00
Galata Tower

It is presumed to have been used as a lighthouse in the early 6th century before being used as a tower to monitor the Byzantine Empire. It was later used as a prison and astronomical observatory.

PM 4:00
Taksim İstiklal Avenue

Istiqlal Street is an iconic street in Taksim, the busiest downtown in New Town. There are shops, department stores, and restaurants lined up, and many stylish cafes.

AM 9:00
Dolmabahçe Palace

The palace built on the landfill of Bosphorus is famous for its beautiful scenery.

AM 11:00
Ortaköy

Known for its beautiful mosque, this place is also famous for kumpir. The landscape is very beautiful.

PM 1:00
Ulus Parkı

Located close by Ortaköy, there is an observatory where you can see Istanbul at a glance.

PM 2:30
Rumelihisarı

It is said that the fortress was built by Mehmed II for over 4 months in preparation for the Battle of Constantinople in 1453. Enjoy the beautiful view at the top of the fortress.

PM 4:00
Bebek

Bebek is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Istanbul, recommended for those who want to see another side of the city.

AM 9:30
Princes’ Islands

It is a peaceful neighborhood good for picnicking, and is reachable by boat from Kadıköy.

PM 3:00
Kadıköy

It is the busiest district of Asia and is similar to Taksim in Europe. There are many shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes.

PM 5:00
Üsküdar

It is the center of Asia where you can get a glimpse of people of Istanbul. The docks are filled with ferry boats that cross to Europe and are full of fish markets and ordinary markets.

여행지 영상

유명 관광지의 아름다운 풍경부터 구석구석 작은 골목길까지 아시아나항공과 함께 여행지의 다양한 모습을 영상으로 만나보세요(360˚ VR영상은 크롬 브라우저에서 시청 가능합니다.)

여행지 영상

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