Crossword Genius

In activity, almost a bustling port? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

istanbul

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'port?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'in activity almost a bustling' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for istanbul that I've seen before include "Nail bust in the Turkish city" , "Eurasian city" , "City in both Europe and Asia" , "City of Turkey" , "It used to be named Constantinople" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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