Surely, there is nowhere else on earth that can surpass Istanbul’s unique setting and atmosphere. This magical city is the meeting point of cultures and civilisations, producing an intoxicating blend of the familiar and the mysterious. Once known as Constantinople, throughout its early history, it was regarded as one of the most important cities in the world, spanning the crossroads of east and west. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, which is built around seven hills and has one of the most dramatic skylines in Europe. Take a ferryboat across the waters of the Bosphorus, between Europe and Asia, and you’ll witness one of the true wonders of the world. The bustling waterways and busy streets provide an unforgettable contrast with the timeless majesty of the great mosques and palaces. Visit the Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th century, with its harem and sumptuous furnishings, where you can marvel at the priceless treasures presented to the Ottoman court through the ages. Admire the spacious serenity of the Blue Mosque and the awe-inspiring beauty of Haghia Sophia, which stands facing it.

Istanbul offers a wide variety of restaurants for you to enjoy. Stroll along the banks of the Bosphorus or the narrow streets of the Old town and make a leisurely choice from amongst the many small restaurants and cafes - you will be surprised at the variety and value to be found. At night the city comes alive. Many of the famous buildings are floodlit, the strains of live music drift from bars and the traditional cafes. Istanbul is a shopper’s paradise with traditional handicrafts such as carpets, copper work, onyx and leather goods all available in the thousands of shops under the roof of the Grand Bazaar.

ISTANBUL HIGHLIGHTS & SIGHTS

TOPKAPI PALACE (TOPKAPI SARAYI)

There are more treasures in the Topkapi that can possibly be displayed. The ancient residence of the Ottoman Sultans was built by Mehmet II, conqueror of Istanbul in 1462.

THE MOSQUE OF SULEYMANIYE (SULEYMANIYE CAMII)

Built by the greatest Turkish architect Sinan between 1550 and 1557 Suleyman’s order. The finest imperial mosque in Istanbul. Story has it that the builders dug to sea level to plant the foun-dations.

THE BLUE MOSQUE (SULTAN AHMET CAMII)

With its six minarets and 260 windows, it was built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmet I as the chief imperial place of worship. More than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles decorated in tulips, roses, carnations and lilies cover the lower walls which are softly lit through the windows.

HIPPODROME (AT MEYDANI)

First built in 203, a large rectangular square that was the sports arena in the Byzantine city. It was enlarged and improved by Constantine the Great and could hold 100,000 people. The Hippodrome was destroyed during the Fourth Crusade and only three monuments are now worth seeing.

UNDERGROUND PALACE (YEREBATAN SARAYI)

One of the huge cisterns built in Roman times to store the city’s water. You can explore this rather remarkable and unexpected sight along wooden pathways, over water rippled by drops of condensation and among a forest of 336 marble pillars. Moody lighting and classical music create a memorable sight.

GRAND BAZAAR (KAPALI CARSI)

First built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461 as a trading post; this is the most popular place for tourists and local people to shop in Istanbul. It is the world’s largest covered bazaar; it covers more than 50 acres and has some 4,000 shops on 66 streets totaling 8km in length. Carpet merchants, goldsmiths, jewelers, antiques, and handmade goods are spread out in different parts of the bazaar.

SPICE BAZAAR (MISIR CARSISI)

Sacks of herbs and spices, yellow turmeric, apple tea, orange tea, tan cumin and powdery olive green henna used to tint hair. Sacks of walnuts, figs, raisins, peanuts, pistachios and roasted coffee beans encourage you to buy and take a photograph.

THE BOSPHORUS (ISTANBUL BOGAZI)

The winding channel of the Bosphorus is 30 km long and 2 km wide narrowing to 750m. at Rumeli Hisari. Busy with commercial shipping, ferries and fishing boats, its wooded shores are lined with
old ottoman mansions, villas and pretty fishing villages.

PRINCES ISLANDS (PRENSES ADALARI)

Another ferry trip to the southwest of Istanbul to Princes Islands with their pleasant individual atmosphere (no cars) is a must. In the Sea of Marmara, the Islands have been inhabited ever since Byzantine times by monastic communities and was used as a place of exile for deposed ruler.