Istanbul

The Istanbul Municipality is set to embark on a new urban transformation project, targeting nearly 7,000 buildings identified as high-risk in anticipation of a potential major earthquake in the region.

The years-long restoration works at Istanbul's historic Haydarpaşa Train Station are set to be completed this year, including the archaeological site where findings from the excavations will be exhibited, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has said.

Ferry services to Istanbul's Princes' Islands will charge regular fares on public holidays to control visitor numbers, diverging from the usual free transportation policy applied to all 39 districts of the metropolis.

The decision was revealed during an assembly meeting of the Princes' Islands' municipality chaired by Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat.

With the cost of private beach facilities continuing to rise, more and more families are opting for public beaches, spurred by ongoing efforts to promote and expand them.

The trend is evident in locations like Kilyos, where Istanbulites often set up chairs, tables and tents to enjoy the seaside and take a refreshing dip in cooling waters.

Renowned for his photography and documentary films on Istanbul's urban transformation, Timurtaş Onan dedicates his latest book to the inns and inhabitants of the Historical Peninsula and Sirkeci.

Istanbul, Türkiye's cultural, financial and commercial capital, is hoping to welcome a total of 20 million visitors this year.

Last year, the megacity welcomed 17.4 million foreign tourists, up from more than 16 million visitors in 2022.

Ottoman "break stones," designed for porters to rest and signifying a tradition of compassion, have survived through ages, standing as a silent witness to a bygone era.

The Istanbul Jazz Festival will once again showcase the diversity of Istanbul through music from July 3 to 18. The festival will host more than 200 local and international artists in some 40 concerts over 16 days, including Gregory Porter, Chris Isaak, Joshua Redman, YolanDa Brown, Arlo Parks, Baptiste Trotignon and Modern Art Orchestra featuring Kornél Fekete-Kovács.

The northern coast of Istanbul, particularly the shores of Kilyos, has become a haven for kitesurfers amidst the current warm and breezy weather of the Black Sea.

Three Turkish cities have made notable appearances on the 2024 Happy City Index prepared by the U.K.-based Institute for Quality of Life.

Istanbul, Türkiye's bustling metropolis, ranks 197th, while the coastal gems of İzmir and Antalya secure the 222nd and 246th positions, respectively.