The Hippodrome in Istanbul is a tranquil and pleasant park. It was the venue for chariot races and circuses where Byzantine Emperors were entertained, but also the site of violence and massacres. Justinian's troops quelled the riots that destroyed much of the city, then known as Constantinople, and 30,000 demonstrators were slaughtered in the process on this site. The 18.5metres tall Egyptian Obelisk, originally 25 metres tall, was brought from Cairo in 390 CE and now stands in Istanbul in the grounds of the Hippodrome.

Istanbul city is an entity all on its own. Istanbul shopping is world famous, as are some of the quality Istanbul hotels.