Istanbul is in Top 10 best cities to travel

It is so delightful how tourism in Istanbul came a very long way in just a decade. This largest and most beautiful city of Turkey which spans between Asia and Europe as well as modern and ancient has been visited by 7 million foreigners in 2010, up from 2.4 million visitors of 2000. [1] This makes it the 10th most visited city in the world.[2]

Although still largely (and narrowly) known for its historic center (Sultanahmet-Old City) with majestic mosques and ancient shopping bazaars, this is only a fraction of what Istanbul offers for a holiday visit. Istanbul offers great shopping experience, a world class cuisine (ancient Ottoman recipes are must try), beautiful shores of Bosphorus and surprisingly rich and entertaining night life. It is also quite easy to travel to other tourism centers in Turkey from Istanbul such as Turquoise Coast a.k.a Turkish Riviera.

So in short, Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world to visit. Actually the 3rd best, according to the 2012 World’s Best Awards. Travel + Leisure readers voted Istanbul the 3rd best city of the world to travel to. But what is more promising is the fast rise of the city in the list: Istanbul has risen from 5th spot to 2nd. And it is now the Europe's second best city to visit [3]:

"New York City holds its title for the twelfth year in a row as the Best City in the U.S. and Canada, and ranks No.7 among top cities overall, while Bangkok retains its number one ranking in the world for the third year in a row. Istanbul rises to its highest ranking ever in the survey at No. 3 on the list of Top Cities Overall. Among cities in the U.S. and Canada, Chicago rises to the No. 2 spot and New Orleans moves up to No. 5 this year from No. 6 in 2011." [2]

Istanbul is rising in almost all types of tourism such as medical. Thanks to the high quality of healthcare of private hospitals, medical tourism has surged in Turkey with laser eye surgery is the common among medical tourists.[1] Recent, popularity of Turkish Soap Operas in the Arab world also helped this part of the region to rediscover Turkey as a holiday destination.

Although largely known with its historic center, Istanbul offers much more to visitors.
In the photo Ortakoy district of Istanbul seen from European side. Other side of the Bosphorus is Asia.
Bogazici Bridge connecting Asia and Europe can be seen behind.

Worlds Top 10 Cities for Travel & Leisure

RANK	2011	NAME	SCORE
1	1	Bangkok	89.87
2	2	Florence	89.14
3	5	Istanbul	89.11
4	6	Cape Town	88.64
5	8	Sydney	88.52
6	3	Rome	88.49
7	4	New York City	88.12
8	-	Hong Kong	88.03
9	-	Kyoto, Japan	87.90
10	10	Paris	87.67

[1] - Istanbul
[2] - World's Most Visited Cities

[3] - World Best Cities 2012

[2] - Travel+Leisure Press Release