Istanbul spans two continents, divided by the Bosphorus. Mosques, bazaars, ferries and tea gardens tell of a history that reaches back thousands of years.
Culture & Way of Life
Hospitality is deeply rooted in Turkish culture. Tea is served on every occasion, and family, friends and neighbors are a close part of life.
Dating & Getting to Know Each Other
- Attentive and generous: Invitations and small gestures are a sign of appreciation.
- Tradition and modernity: Depending on the family and neighborhood, relationships are modern or more traditional.
- Tea brings people together: A çay in a tea garden is the perfect first meeting.
The Most Romantic Spots
- A ferry ride across the Bosphorus
- Galata Tower with its view over the city
- The Balat neighborhood with its colorful houses
- The waterfront promenade in Ortaköy
Sights that make your heart beat faster
Hidden gems off the beaten path
- Kuzguncuk: A village on the Asian side with colourful wooden houses, where mosque, church and synagogue are neighbours.
- Çukurcuma: The antiques quarter with winding shops where every object tells a story.
- Pierre Loti Hill: A tea garden high above the Golden Horn – perfect for a glass of çay for two.
Absolute must-do
A ferry ride across the Bosphorus at sunset, çay and simit in hand: the mosques turn golden, the seagulls keep you company – and in twenty minutes you change continents.
Only here in the world: Istanbul is the only world metropolis on two continents. Breakfast in Europe, dinner in Asia – and just a ferry ride in between.
Tip for Your First Date
Take the ferry from Europe to Asia, share a simit and feed the seagulls – a date hardly gets cheaper or more romantic than that.