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Istanbul: A Sneak Peek into the Byzantine City

Formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul is a richly colored and traditional land; the city is a chief hub of cultural and economic activities and is one of the major tourist attractions in the country. The city is olds an immensely prominent position in history as it is believed that Istanbul has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. Later, the city has seen the rise and fall of tree empires; the Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman, each period and empire as left some marks on Istanbul’s lands and shaped it in the present form. Present day Istanbul is a hugely populated city with a mega population of about 15 million as the city is on its way to becoming the most populous metropolitan city in Europe. To support this huge population influx from the internal rural areas, the authorities are working to design and build new transportation, residential and resource management plans to support the living quality of the inhabitants.

Healthcare in Istanbul

Healthcare system in Istanbul is divided into public and private sections, however, it follows and implements Universal health Insurance system under which, everyone registered with the Social Security Number may receive free treatment and medical services at hospitals with SGK contract. The public healthcare system as greatly improved with major 2000 and 2013 health reforms, however, foreigners and tourists still rely on private hospitals as they offer more comfort and ease as compared to public hospitals.

Hospitals in Istanbul

Istanbul as a vastly progressive and efficient private healthcare network that umbrellas a number of premium hospitals. These hospitals have high-end treatment and diagnostic technologies and are the first choices among expats and travelers. Some of the top hospitals include:

• Acibadem Healthcare Group
• The American Hospital
• Florence Nightingale Hospital
• International Hospital
• Liv Hospital
• German Hospital
• Koc University Hospital
• Dora Hospital
• Memorial Sisli Hospital
• Medical Park International Hospital

Transport System in Istanbul

Since the city is the main point of contact between turkey and the rest of the world, it as a widely diverse transport system. The travelers may enter the city through its 2 international airports; Ataturk Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, through trains, buses, and boats that carry travelers to and from the city. Within the city, tourists have a number of options like Istanbul’s extensive bus system comprising of city-owned, privately owned buses, Metrobus, Tramvays, Teleferik, Marmaray, and ferries. Istanbulkart is a famous plastic card used if the stay is for more than few days, it can be purchased and refilled at any Istanbulkart boot located on any bus, tram or metro station.

(Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash)

Main Attractions in Istanbul

(Photo by Rumman Amin on Unsplash)

Istanbul is heaven for travelers; the city is rich in its cultural heritage and has lots to offer to travelers and medical tourists. After the treatment, or during the breaks if the physician allows, it is a good idea to move around and get to know the city better, some of the main Istanbul attractions are:

• Hagia Sophia
• The Blue Mosque
• The Grand Bazaar
• Istanbul Archeology Museum
• hippodrome
• Basilica Cistern
• Istiklal Avenue
• Galata Tower

Did we miss any famous place? Comment and let us know.