Welcome to Istanbul! Istanbul deserves to be among the first choices for anyone considering a short city break. Few European cities have anywhere near as much to offer. With three and a half thousand years of history there's no shortage of attractions and, as the only city on earth that straddles two continents, a visit to Istanbul is truly a unique experience.

Formerly known as Byzantium and later Constantinople, over a period of 1600 years Istanbul was capital to the East Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires - all of which left their indelible mark. As you might guess this means there's plenty to see, but luckily for the tourist most of the city's sights are close to the huge Sultanahmet Square the heart of Istanbul.

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History notwithstanding, Istanbul is a fast changing, modern metropolis. The past ten years has seen a revolution as Turkey's predominantly young population has made its presence felt, spawning a vibrant and ever expanding nightlife. Istanbul's unique position also adds a piquancy and variety to the vibrant culture with entertainment showing the influence of two continents.