ISTANBUL CRUISE PORT
Port Location: Often touted as the gateway to both Europe and Asia, Istanbul has the honour of being the only city in the world to sit on two continents and has a thriving population of around 13 million people.
Transport: Transport to and from the Port of Istanbul is plentiful and probably the best way in which to get around is by taxi and they line the pier giving you easy access to transportation to anywhere in the city. Your cruise liner should also run a service or shuttle bus that can take you to and from the airport as well.
Description: The port itself is the biggest in Turkey and is an important economic and trade centre for the country as a whole. It handles about 3.5m tonnes of cargo annually and see’s thousands of passengers board and embark from its docks every year.
Sightseeing and Excursions: If you are cruising from Istanbul then you are in for a treat as the city is one of the most interesting and diverse in the world.
The streets are lined with Byzantium architecture and the way of life for many people has not changed much over the centuries. The Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace are two places that you will definitely want to see when you are in the city and it is even worth spending a couple of days exploring Istanbul itself and absorbing its rich culture before you go on your cruise journey.
Even the museums near the Port of Istanbul are fantastically built and The Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is found inside a 16th century palace and gives you a great insight into the past history of this colourful and enthralling city.
Beaches: The weather in Istanbul can be extremely warm during the summer months and it benefits from a good climate all year round. This means that the beaches in and around the city are extremely popular and Küçüksu beach is probably the most well-known however for something more romantic and intimate then head to Uzunya beach.
Shopping: An important area of the city is the Grand Bazaar that spans some 60 streets and is full of traditional Turkish shops and stalls that sell just about everything from furs to spices and silks. You can get lost in here for hours on end as you stroll around all the different vendors selling their locally made produce.