Istanbul takes the culture of the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans and melds it with the modern world like no other place on the planet. It really is where east meets west both in terms of geography and culture. Istanbul takes you back in time to the Ottoman and Byzantine eras with incredible historical structures like the Hagia Sofia, Topkapı Palace, stunning water-front mansions along the shores of the Bosporus and the neighborhoods around the Golden Horn. Galata, Beyoğlu, Üsküdar, and Kadıköy are just a few of the city's most vibrant districts, offering visitors thre entertainment, history, and flavors that make Istanbul the unique jewel it is.