House Removals to Turkey – Istanbul
Istanbul is Europe’s biggest city in terms of population size, with more than 15 million residents, and more than a million of these are expats or were originally born in another country. Many people retire there, attracted by the healthy lifestyle and slower pace of life.
The Moving Partnership, who offer international removals to Istanbul, have put together this guide to the city for anyone who is thinking of moving there.
The History
Originally called Lygos, then Byzantium, the city was founded by Greek settlers. During the Roman period, it was known as Constantinople, being named after the emperor Constantine the Great. Over the millennia, it has been part of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
The city grew because of its political and strategic importance as it straddles the Bosphorus Strait, a major waterway, and soon became a thriving port. Even today, although it’s part of the Republic of Turkey, the city is in two different continents. The part of the city to the west of the Bosphorus is in Europe, while the eastern side is in Asia.
Although Ankara is the actual capital, Istanbul is Turkey’s financial centre. It’s also a major manufacturing hub with cotton, fruit, olive oil, silk, and tobacco industries all major employers. For that reason, many people consider house removals to Turkey for work reasons, not just for the sunny climate and relaxed lifestyle.
Getting There and Getting Around
Istanbul Airport is the main way of entering the city for foreign travellers. It was opened in October 2018 and replaced the Ataturk Airport. The new location lies on the European side of the city. There is a smaller airport, Sabiha Gokcen Airport, on the Asian side. Neither airport has direct rail connections, but there is a bus service run by Havaist which runs to the city centre every half hour.
As for public transport, there’s a wide mix of ways of getting around. A metro service which links both the European and Asian parts of the capital, a tram service, a funicular railway, which avoids problems of the city’s various levels, as well as both private and state bus services. Regular ferries also cross the Bosphorus between the two parts of the city.
If you need to travel by car, get a taxi. There are more than 1.5 million vehicles on the road in the city and traffic jams (and suspect driving) are a way of life.
The Main Attractions
Given its long and sometimes chequered history, it should come as no surprise that most of the major tourist attractions are ancient buildings. Perhaps the most striking of these is the Topkapi Palace, which dates from the Ottoman times. It is both a defensive fortress on the banks of the Bosphorus and a treasure trove of fabulous artefacts.
The 6th Century Hagia Sophia (pictured), which was originally a basilica, then a mosque, then a museum, is also well worth a look.
For more peace and quiet, but staying with the historical theme, head underground to the Basilica Cistern, a palatial underground hall supported by 336 columns in 12 rows, which once stored the imperial water supply for the Byzantine emperors. And, for something more family-friendly, head to Bayrampasa, a suburb on the European side where there is a Sea Life Centre and a Legoland Discovery Centre.
Shopping Around and Eating Out
To get the true Turkish shopping experience in Istanbul, visit one of the bazaars. The Grand Bazaar occupies a whole district and is full of handicrafts and souvenirs. The Spice Bazaar in Yenicami Meydan? is the place to go for your dried fruit, nuts, herbs and spices.
There are also more conventional shopping malls. The Mall of Istanbul near ?kitelli Sanayi station, and Istinye Park in the Sanyer district, wouldn’t be out of place in any Western city.
While eating out, you will find plenty of fresh fruit and veg on the menu, given the Mediterranean location. Seafood is popular too, so it’s not all kebabs. For breakfast, try a menemen, a deliciously spicy omelette.
International Removals to Istanbul with The Moving Partnership
If you are interested in house removals to anywhere in Turkey, including Ankara, Izmir, Bursa and Konya, as well as Istanbul, then contact The Moving Partnership.
We can ship your items to Turkey in a dedicated container, a groupage consignment where your possessions are part of a bigger shipment, or airfreight, which is ideal for documents, clothing and smaller valuables.
Whichever one you opt for, you can be sure you’ll be paying a competitive price, thanks to our partners in the international removals industry. To learn more, follow this link and fill in the online form, or call us on 0808 280 3697.
