Istanbul is one of the most popular tourist cities in Turkey, which is why millions visit it every year but, have you ever thought that there are things you do not know about this ancient city? In this blog, we will explore some of the most prominent secrets and mysterious facts about Istanbul, which makes your trip to this city an unprecedented and boredom-free experience so start contemplating the traces of history throughout the city, and immerse yourself in its mysterious historical culture, which cut the amazing beauty like pearls flowing its light in the streets of Istanbul.

8 Things you Didn't Know About Istanbul will Surprise You!

On the land of this charming city, you walk through its streets to see the relics of the cradle of previous cultures in each corner of its neighborhoods. It is the city of Istanbul that still surprises us with its beauty. Millions of people come to this city annually either for tourism or to live in it. This city attracts many people of all nationalities and ages, many students, retirees, and investors. In this article, we will discuss the most important things that newcomers to Istanbul may need to be aware of.

Residence in Istanbul:

Obtaining a visa or residency in Turkey is easy for most nationalities and there are many options available such as tourist residency, investment residency by owning properties, student residency, and others. Istanbul has a unique geographical location as it is the only city located between the European and Asian continents, and with this central geographic factor accompanied by a diversity of ethnicities from different parts of the world who live in this wonderful city.

Istanbul Working Opportunity:

Because Istanbul is an international city, many big companies are established in it. With many companies that depend on foreign exports, it is not surprising that there is a need for local Turkish and foreign workers. In addition, Turkey supports and encourages foreign companies, therefore if you want to establish your own company, you will not find any difficultly. As for the labor market, it is competitive, but those with high skills or know several languages will not find it difficult to find a job to cover their expenses. It should be noted that learning the Turkish language increases their job opportunities in Istanbul.

Istanbul Public Transportation System:

The public transportation network in Istanbul is strong and constantly developing, if you live in this city, hearing news of new construction project of some new metro line will be something very common, as there are always new projects under construction. Even those car owners use this transportation system as it provides easy access to crowded historical places and let them avoid traffic congestion in those areas.

Is Istanbul Safe?

As the case in large cities, you should be careful. This does not mean that Istanbul is not safe. In a report issued by the US Consulate: “Although Istanbul is the largest metropolitan city in Turkey, crime rates in Istanbul related to foreigners are very low". But as we mentioned earlier, you must be careful not to leave your cell phone in your back pocket in very crowded places, and keep your handbag hanging on your shoulder. Although that the Turkish police, especially at tourism places are doing wonderful job in keeping it safe.

Enjoy the Four Seasons of Istanbul:

If you are a fan of either hot or cold weather, Istanbul's moderate weather will not disappoint you, and from comments of people who lived in various countries and visited Istanbul, they all pointed out the magnificence of Istanbul's weather. It is also well known by a sudden climate change, so do not trust that bright sun, as it may be followed by a rainy cloud. There is a Turkish popular proverb that supports same thing, as it says you should not trust Istanbul's weather, as it is highly unsteady.

Buying a Property in Istanbul:

The goal behind buying a property may be different from one person to another, as some want a home for recreation in the holidays and others for living, and of course, the option to buy the property for investment is always there. The process of buying a property in Turkey is accompanied by several advantages, including the possibility of obtaining investment residency or to apply for Turkish citizenship if the property or the sum of the purchased properties are worth more than 250 thousand dollars.

Living Cost in Istanbul:

The cost of living in Istanbul is relatively acceptable, and when it is up to the cost with an approximate number, it may be difficult to estimate due to the different nature of how people spend money, but it can be said that the average cost of living in Istanbul is $650 per person and the expenses might increases as high as you want and vary from each individual to another, and many other factors like place of living.

Adaptation to Istanbul Lifestyle:

With the cultural diversity in Istanbul, several social circles were formed in specific regions, expats tend to live in touristic areas such as the municipalities of Beyoglu, Şişli, Beşiktaş, Tophane, and Maslak. You will find it easy to reach a social group that comes from a similar background of yours. Also, it is easy to find a restaurant that serves your favorite traditional food. The only obstacle in Istanbul may be the language barrier, but Turkish is an easy language to learn and has simple grammatical rules if you wanted to learn it.

Istanbul is a commercial and cultural center for the whole world

Istanbul sits on top of the cities that enjoy a prestigious position as a cultural and commercial center in the whole world, as it is the only city that is located on two continents as it blends tradition and modernity at the same time, and Istanbul attracts many tourists, businessmen and travelers, as it is characterized by a cultural diversity unlike any other city, where many nationalities and cultures meet in this beautiful city.

Istanbul also contains many tourist attractions that visitors can enjoy and remember throughout their lives, as tourist places combine history and modernity, and its markets and malls are characterized by diversity and crowding, which makes it an indispensable destination for tourists and travelers who want to buy souvenirs or shop and there is no doubt that Istanbul possesses an undeniable charm, and the European city, which is located on the continent of Asia, remains until now a center of culture and trade, where visitors can enjoy all that this ancient and wonderful city has to offer.

The largest Turkish city ever

Istanbul is one of the largest Turkish cities and ranks second in the world in terms of population, with an estimated population of more than 15 million people. These figures prove the importance of Istanbul as a leading commercial and economic center in Turkey, which makes it one of the most famous cities around the world although it is not the official capital, it has an important position as a leading city in Turkey, and includes many important tourist attractions on both sides of it, in addition to the various markets and malls that make visiting Istanbul a unique experience for its visitors.

The most attractive city for visitors in Turkey

Istanbul is one of the most visited cities in Turkey, as it is a charming, historical and civilized city that combines natural beauty with high-quality architecture and in addition, the city has many important tourist attractions that are worth visiting and exploring, and Istanbul also includes many wonderful restaurants and various markets, which make it an exceptional tourist destination for families and friends and for this reason, many tourists from all over the world turn to Istanbul to enjoy all that this charming city has to offer.

Famous areas and historical monuments on both sides of Istanbul

Istanbul is distinguished by its famous areas and unique historical monuments, as the city includes more than 110 distinct places to visit, and visitors can explore the areas on both sides of Istanbul and enjoy a wonderful tour in the region as visitors can visit the quiet and livable Beykoz district, which is located on the northern end of the Bosphorus Strait, and other areas such as Taksim as they can also visit many ancient historical monuments, such as the amazing mosque in Sultanahmet and Hagia Sophia, which is located on the European side of the city and in addition, the city shines with its elegance and splendor thanks to modern buildings and markets that include the best international products and commodities.

Istanbul contains the most mosques in the world

Istanbul is the modern Islamic capital and the beacon of Islam in the world, and therefore it occupies an important place among Muslims and in addition, the roots of Turkey's history go back to Islamic times, and these mosques are important historical landmarks in Islam, as you can find many famous mosques in Istanbul such as Sultan Ayoub Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

 Turkish mosques enjoy their luxurious and magnificent architecture that blends Ottoman heritage with Islamic antiquities, making them an unforgettable place for everyone who visits Istanbul and despite the occupation of Turkey by other civilizations, this large number of beautiful mosques reflects the presence of Islam and the heritage of Muslims in the country.

Markets and malls in Istanbul

The traveler coming to Istanbul can only wish to visit the famous markets such as the Grand Bazaar or the covered market, and then enjoy watching its various and unique items as he can also visit the Istinye Park shopping complex and enjoy its various luxurious restaurants and in addition, many distinguished malls can be found in Istanbul, such as Vialand Mall and Forum Istanbul.

Istanbul is a popular tourist destination in Turkey

Including Sultan Ahmed station, which became famous as one of the most important places of tourism in Turkey as the station is located in the historic Sultanahmet area and includes the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, in addition to many museums and beautiful gardens as tourists can enjoy wandering around the area and discover many markets and shops that include many handicrafts that reflect Turkey's ancient history as visitors can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city from the top of the minaret of the mosque, which represents one of the most important landmarks of the city.

The idea of ​​buying real estate in Turkeyhas become popular among those interested in obtaining an ideal opportunity for housing or investment and take advantage of the appropriate real estate investment options in Istanbul to obtain a high return by communicating with our real estate consultants.

Do not forget that investing in real estate in Turkeyis only a way to gain Turkish citizenshiporreal estate residencepermit that allows you to stay in the country legally and then acquire many of the privileges that a Turkish citizen gets.