Due to its advantageous position, rich history, notable landmarks, varied customs and cultures, and excellent food, the gorgeous city of Istanbul has long drawn visitors from all over the world.Istanbul's historical peninsula, sometimes called Suriçi (Walled City), attracts a lot of attention from travelers and tourists. Established as a residential settlement, it served as the capital of two empires that formerly ruled four continents: the Ottoman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire.The historic peninsula of Istanbul, the pinnacle of tourist destinations, is bounded on one side by the Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, and Golden Horn, and on the other by the old city walls.