| Highlights |
The Old City
A must for those with an interest in history, the Old City is home to a great array of historical architecture. Some of its most popular attractions include the beautiful Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. There are also some wonderful traditional restaurants, tea rooms and bazaars located in this area.
New City
The New City is the modern epicentre of Istanbul. Abuzz with shops, restaurants and cafés, its vast malls and towering glass and metal structures are a far cry from the traditional styles seen throughout the Old City. This modern area also caters for those with an interest in history with some truly wonderful museums.
Galata
Galata is hip and trendy and popular with the younger generation. With lively bars, restaurants and nightclubs lining its streets, it is the place to see and be seen in Istanbul. In the evening dine in style and dance till dawn, and during the day visit some of the areas beautiful churches, museums and galleries.
Princes Islands'
An archipelago made up of a string of nine carefree islands, the Princes Islands' have a a laid back atmosphere they are an ideal place for some rest and relaxation away from the bustle of the city.
Sightseeing
Istanbul is famed for its history and hosts a fair share of Byzantine, Ottoman and Roman architecture. Some of the attractions considered must-sees are the Topkapi Palace, which has a rich colourful past, the Aya Sofya also known as the Hagia Sofia or the Church of Divine Wisdom (which was the principal mosque of Istanbul for many years), the beautiful Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern.
Museums
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums, located close to the Topkapi Palace, include the Museum of the Ancient Orient, the Archaeology Museum and the Tiled Pavilion, and is well worth a visit. Also popular is the Florence Nightingale Museum set within the Selimiye Army Barracks where she worked. The Rahmi M Koc Industrial Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts also offer a great deal for those with an interest in the traditions and history of Turkey.
Markets & Bazaars
Whether it’s the traditional markets and bazaars like the vast and bustling Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar where you can practice your haggling skills and find typically Turkish treasures, or the modern Kanyon, Cevahir and Profilo malls, where designer shops and high-end boutiques will give your credit cards a work out,
if shopping is your passion, Istanbul can provide.
Hammam & Shisha
If you want to experience true Turkish pastimes, visit a hammam, or Turkish bath, where you will be steamed, soaked, splashed, scrubbed and massaged - a truly
unmissable experience! A visit to a shisha café or a tranquil tea garden is also a must to really experience the heart of the city.
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| Eating/Drinking |
The Old City is perfect for anyone looking to experience traditional Turkish cuisine as there are many little restaurants, cafés and street vendors. Try local favourites such
as patso, hamsi or kumpur. For international cuisine, New City is better suited due to its cosmopolitan nature. Perhaps dine in a restaurant overlooking the Bosphoros if you have the chance as the views are simply stunning and also try to sample the local ice-cream which, due to the inclusion of orchid root extract, is strangely chewy and unique to Turkey.
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| Good to know |
Taxis are plentiful and a good way to get around the city but make sure you always use a yellow taxi and that the taxi meter is used. There is also a good range of bus services, a
metro system and a tram. Istanbul is split in two by the Bosphorus - also known as the Istanbul strait - and there are many ferries and water taxis available to take you across. It is also bridged at a number of points, though a crossing charge will be added to your meter total if you are travelling by taxi.
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