The City – Istanbul

Place a piece of New York on a plate, a pinch of Miami, a bite of San Francisco, and a slice of Egypt, then stir it all together. Enrich this with spices from Mexico City and Vienna: That’s Istanbul!

Istanbul fascinates its visitors with the intriguing blend of oriental and Western cultures. Istanbul is colorful markets, crowded bazaars, and often an exciting mix of East and West, tradition and modernity. Elegant hotels, old cafés, fabulous restaurants, and nightclubs are plentiful here along the Bosphorus. Istanbul is the city of contrasts, the city with a hundred landmarks, the stuff that fairy tales are made of, the inspiration for many singers, poets, and painters, a story from 1001 Nights…

The city of Istanbul is located on two continents: Europe and Asia. The continents are separated by the Bosphorus. Another strait, the Golden Horn, divides the European part of Istanbul into a northern and a southern district.

In the southern European part lies Old Istanbul. Here, you’ll find most of the famous historical buildings, such as the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and the Hagia Sophia.

Istanbul: Shopping and culture. Enjoy this enchanting metropolis and its historical heritage as part of your eye laser surgery.

Istanbul has a turbulent history: The city was founded as early as the 7th century BC. At that time, it was called Byzantium. Benefiting from its central location, Byzantium gradually developed into a flourishing trading metropolis.

After the city joined the Roman Empire, Byzantium was declared the capital by Roman Emperor Constantine around 330 AD. The city was initially called New Rome but was later renamed Constantinople.

After the division of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became part of the Byzantine Empire and remained the political and cultural center of the region. Later, the Crusaders conquered Constantinople and brought Christianity to the city. Constantinople went into decline until the Ottomans conquered it, made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and renamed it Istanbul. This marked the beginning of Istanbul’s resurgence.

Istanbul is also a shopping paradise. From the historic, world’s largest covered Grand Bazaar to the numerous ultra-modern shopping malls, you will be delighted. Near the clinic, there are four charming shopping centers.

Don’t forget to try the numerous delicacies of Istanbul. Thousands of restaurants offer a variety of delicious dishes. Detailed shopping and restaurant tips can be found in your Medicaltravelpass.

The city also offers cultural experiences. Numerous cultural events are an integral part of life in Istanbul.

Still unsure about Istanbul? Check out the SF Unterwegs program about Istanbul here!

Did you know that Istanbul was the European Capital of Culture in 2010? You can find more information about it here.

We wish you a wonderful holiday in Istanbul right from the start.