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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

A fusion of age-old glories and a cool, contemporary 21st-century culture, Istanbul has survived two millennia of extraordinary history. The city holds appeal for all interests – architecture, art, culture, nightlife, cuisine and more.

Straddling the 35-kilometre (22-mile) Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul (formerly known as Byzantium, and then as Constantinople) is frequently described as the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Fought over time and again, the city became the centre of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Its historic heart – Sultanahmet and the bazaar quarter, with its great mosques, opulent palaces and Byzantine ruins – offers a fascinating glimpse into those tumultuous times.

Encompassing three land masses – two on the European side of the Bosphorus, divided by the Golden Horn, and the Asian shores – Istanbul is best explored neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Four Seasons guests enjoy the combined advantage of staying at the city’s most exclusive hotels, perfectly located for exploring everything Istanbul has to offer.

Time zone

GMT +2 hours
Eastern Europe Time

Language(s) spoken

Turkish. English is widely spoken as well

Electrical system

Local voltage is 220 to 240 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Working hours

Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Time and distance to city centre

The Hotel is located at the centre of the Old City. The city centre of Taksim is 10 minutes/5 kilometres/3 miles from the Hotel.

Time and distance to shopping

• Covered Bazaar: 5 minutes/2 kilometres/1 mile
• Spice Market: 5 minutes/2 kilometres/1 mile
• Nisantasi: 15 minutes/10 kilometers/7 miles

Time and distance to financial district

20 minutes/15 kilometres/9 miles

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

May

Istanbul Theatre Festival

July

Istanbul Jazz Festival

September to November

Istanbul Biennial