Istanbul city breaks

As European Capital of Culture 2010, Istanbul city is re-emerging as one of the world's great metropolises, with a cultural vibrancy that pulsates through its every artery. A unique city straddling two continents and surrounded by the waters of the Bosphorus, Istanbul today is bubbling with a bold new energy that’s popular with visitors and celebrities alike – yet still has all the intrigue and allure of its history with The Orient Express, as Istanbul was of course one of the original endpoints of the service.

Great hotel deals in Istanbul

Cultural Resurgence

Exciting and intensely alive with cutting-edge international film and music festivals, designer shops and chic restaurants and bars, Istanbul also offers a great choice of new galleries devoted to modern art and Turkish and international culture and design, including the new Santral Istanbul and more established Istanbul Modern Art Museum and Sabanci Museum.

Taste Sensation

Your senses will come alive in Istanbul, with its world-class gourmet restaurants, colourful markets and rustic Turkish cafés. For modern cuisine, there are plenty of options springing up across the city whilst for traditional fare, Istanbul is famous for water-side fish restaurants boasting fresh catches and enviable views - and of course its Ottoman cuisine with its grand and complex array of dishes washed down with a thick cup of Turkish coffee.

More great hotel deals in Istanbul

Hip Hangouts

Hip new hangouts are popping up everywhere in Istanbul; from sophisticated cocktail-sipping in trendy bars to clubbing to global beats, the choices are endless. In the summer, Istanbul also revels in water-side fun, with a whole host of open-air venues boasting stunning views across the Istanbul skyline.

Shopping and Spas

Whilst no one can deny the thrill of shopping at Istanbul’s bazaars with their colourful array of over 4000 shops selling everything from carpets to gold and spices, visitors shouldn’t miss the array of designer boutiques and big-name brands in the buzzing atmosphere of districts such as Tesvikiye Avenue in Nisantasi or the city’s sparkling new malls. After a day’s shopping, you can enjoy the bliss of one of the city’s new spas or a reinvigorating massage treatment at a traditional Turkish Hammam.

Old-world Charm

Alongside its increasingly modern identity, Istanbul remains a deeply atmospheric city; Set in a juicy location and spanning centuries of history, Istanbul has a rich cultural and physical legacy. Sultanahmet, the historic heart of the city, is certainly as romantic and alluring as ever with its architectural gems, galleries, Topkapi Palace and an assortment of exquisite mosques and basilicas.