Spanning two continents and framed by soaring minarets, this fabled Turkish city of museums, bazaars and delicious cuisine enchants travellers from across the world.
There’s no better way to start a visit to Istanbul than to take a ferry across the Bosphorous Strait from the European side of the city to the Asian side. The 15-minute trip is a moving feast for the eyes as you glide past waterfront palaces and Ottoman-era mosques. Once you hit land, explore neighbourhoods offering diverse scenes, from local hubs lined with traditional Turkish tea shops to the old city of Sultanahmet with the magnificent Hagia Sophia.
Spend your days hopping between museums and galleries, with stops for kebabs and baklava along the way. Visit during summer for events including the Istanbul International Music Festival. The cooler months bring fewer crowds and spring offers the Istanbul Tulip Festival. No matter when you visit Istanbul, expect to be charmed by the history, cuisine, architecture and mix of cultures in this intriguing city once known as Constantinople.
Things to do in Istanbul
Venture into Istanbul’s bazaars it’s an experience not to miss even if you don’t plan to buy anything. The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, buzzing with thousands of shops overflowing with ornate ceramics, kilim rugs and jewellery. Enjoy the fragrant aromas of the Egyptian Bazaar as you choose from piles of brightly coloured spices and Turkish delight.
Stay at a hotel in Sultanahmet to be within easy walking distance of Istanbul’s iconic attractions. In the heart of the neighbourhood is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. The minarets and domes of the nearby Blue Mosque are as dazzling as the thousands of blue Iznik tiles inside. Visit Topkapi Palace Museum to admire the extravagant pavilions and Harem, along with lavish courtyards and Ottoman treasures.
Set sail on the Bosphorus Strait for a unique view of sites such as Rumeli Fortress, and cruise under the Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe and Asia. Just off the coast of Istanbul, the Princes’ Islands offer day trips to largely car-free islands where you can explore beaches and villages by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.
History and culture in Istanbul
From Ottoman clothing to intricate carpets and calligraphy, be inspired by the displays at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. See a Whirling Dervish ceremony at the Galata Mevlevi House Museum and discover huge collections of weapons and uniforms at the Istanbul Military Museum.
Step from the past into the world of contemporary art at Istanbul Modern. At the Pera Museum, admire the Orientalist Painting Collection and the Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection. Families with children love the Istanbul Toy Museum, where you’ll see thousands of antique toys including dollhouses and miniature train sets.
Go beneath the streets of Sultanahmet at the Basilica Cistern, built centuries ago to collect and store water. Wooden walkways and atmospheric lighting showcase columns and sculptures in the water. For a bird’s-eye view of the city from a historical structure, take the elevator to the top of Galata Tower, which was constructed in 1348.
Dining and nightlife in Istanbul
Find a scrumptious Turkish breakfast of eggs, cheese, olives, tahini and more no matter where you are in Istanbul. Karaköy is a waterfront neighbourhood brimming with cafés for Turkish coffee and trendy bars for cocktails after dark. The centre of modern Istanbul, Taksim Square is surrounded by traditional restaurants, along with rooftop bars at luxury hotels.
Stroll along nearby Istiklal Street, the city’s pedestrian hub of restaurants and live music bars among cinemas and shops. Spanning the Golden Horn, Galata Bridge is the place for sunset photos, with plenty of restaurants lining the water beneath it. For belly dancing and sightseeing with Turkish meze and tea, take a Bosphorus dinner cruise framed by twinkling skyline lights.
Getting around Istanbul
Fly into Istanbul International Airport, which is about a 40-minute drive to Taksim via taxis, private transfers, buses and the Istanbul airport metro line. Buses and the metro are the most efficient ways to get around the city, as traffic is often congested. The Marmaray metro line passes under the Bosphorus Strait connecting the Asian and European sides.
Ferry docks are situated around the city, offering both tours and domestic trips. If you’re staying in areas such as Taksim, Sultanahmet and Eminönü, many of Istanbul’s incredible attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, along with hotels, shops and restaurants.
There’s no better way to start a visit to Istanbul than to take a ferry across the Bosphorous Strait from the European side of the city to the Asian side. The 15-minute trip is a moving feast for the eyes as you glide past waterfront palaces and Ottoman-era mosques. Once you hit land, explore neighbourhoods offering diverse scenes, from local hubs lined with traditional Turkish tea shops to the old city of Sultanahmet with the magnificent Hagia Sophia.
Spend your days hopping between museums and galleries, with stops for kebabs and baklava along the way. Visit during summer for events including the Istanbul International Music Festival. The cooler months bring fewer crowds and spring offers the Istanbul Tulip Festival. No matter when you visit Istanbul, expect to be charmed by the history, cuisine, architecture and mix of cultures in this intriguing city once known as Constantinople.
Things to do in Istanbul
Venture into Istanbul’s bazaars it’s an experience not to miss even if you don’t plan to buy anything. The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, buzzing with thousands of shops overflowing with ornate ceramics, kilim rugs and jewellery. Enjoy the fragrant aromas of the Egyptian Bazaar as you choose from piles of brightly coloured spices and Turkish delight.
Stay at a hotel in Sultanahmet to be within easy walking distance of Istanbul’s iconic attractions. In the heart of the neighbourhood is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. The minarets and domes of the nearby Blue Mosque are as dazzling as the thousands of blue Iznik tiles inside. Visit Topkapi Palace Museum to admire the extravagant pavilions and Harem, along with lavish courtyards and Ottoman treasures.
Set sail on the Bosphorus Strait for a unique view of sites such as Rumeli Fortress, and cruise under the Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe and Asia. Just off the coast of Istanbul, the Princes’ Islands offer day trips to largely car-free islands where you can explore beaches and villages by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.
History and culture in Istanbul
From Ottoman clothing to intricate carpets and calligraphy, be inspired by the displays at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. See a Whirling Dervish ceremony at the Galata Mevlevi House Museum and discover huge collections of weapons and uniforms at the Istanbul Military Museum.
Step from the past into the world of contemporary art at Istanbul Modern. At the Pera Museum, admire the Orientalist Painting Collection and the Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection. Families with children love the Istanbul Toy Museum, where you’ll see thousands of antique toys including dollhouses and miniature train sets.
Go beneath the streets of Sultanahmet at the Basilica Cistern, built centuries ago to collect and store water. Wooden walkways and atmospheric lighting showcase columns and sculptures in the water. For a bird’s-eye view of the city from a historical structure, take the elevator to the top of Galata Tower, which was constructed in 1348.
Dining and nightlife in Istanbul
Find a scrumptious Turkish breakfast of eggs, cheese, olives, tahini and more no matter where you are in Istanbul. Karaköy is a waterfront neighbourhood brimming with cafés for Turkish coffee and trendy bars for cocktails after dark. The centre of modern Istanbul, Taksim Square is surrounded by traditional restaurants, along with rooftop bars at luxury hotels.
Stroll along nearby Istiklal Street, the city’s pedestrian hub of restaurants and live music bars among cinemas and shops. Spanning the Golden Horn, Galata Bridge is the place for sunset photos, with plenty of restaurants lining the water beneath it. For belly dancing and sightseeing with Turkish meze and tea, take a Bosphorus dinner cruise framed by twinkling skyline lights.
Getting around Istanbul
Fly into Istanbul International Airport, which is about a 40-minute drive to Taksim via taxis, private transfers, buses and the Istanbul airport metro line. Buses and the metro are the most efficient ways to get around the city, as traffic is often congested. The Marmaray metro line passes under the Bosphorus Strait connecting the Asian and European sides.
Ferry docks are situated around the city, offering both tours and domestic trips. If you’re staying in areas such as Taksim, Sultanahmet and Eminönü, many of Istanbul’s incredible attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, along with hotels, shops and restaurants.
