Overview

Once the largest city in Europe and the administrative capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, Istanbul has a wealth of historical leftovers to draw sightseers. Among the city's most outstanding landmarks are Hagia Sophia, the largest cathedral in the world for more than 1,000 years, and the vast Sultan Ahmed Mosque, whose six minarets are visible across the city. Other must-sees include Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans, and Basilica Cistern, responsible for holding the city's water supply until modern times.

Hagia Sophia

Originally constructed as a basilica during Byzantine times, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453. Its huge dome, representative of heaven, is a highlight while the building also houses two museums featuring Byzantine mosaics, armour and copies of the Koran among other valuable treasures. Up until 1520, Hagia Sophia ranked as the largest cathedral in the world.

Hippodrome of Constantinople

Used for chariot races in Roman times and for other sporting and social events in the Byzantine period, the remains of the Hippodrome can still be seen today. The race track was capable of standing up to 100,000 spectators during its heyday. Visitors can take in the Serpent Column, brought from Delphi, and the Obelisk of Thutmose III, brought from Luxor, on a visit - two ancient relics that have stood the test of time.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)

Constructed in the early 17th century by Ahmed I, whose tomb lies in the grounds of the mosque, this awe-inspiring mosque can be visited by appropriately dressed Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Taking its nickname after the pretty blue tiles used in its interior, this world-famous mosque features six minarets, making it one of only two six-minaret mosques in Turkey.

Topkapi Palace

Constructed as a summer retreat in the 15th century, this magnificent building was transformed into a palace by Ottoman rulers, who used it as their headquarters for state administration. With a capacity to house 4,000 residents, the enormous palace was abandoned in 1855 but fortunately many of its valuables such as silk robes, manuscripts, Chinese ceramics and jewels have been preserved. Today visitors can see these treasures and tour the harem, once home to more than 300 concubines.

Grand Bazaar

No trip to Istanbul is complete without a visit to this fascinating bazaar, one of the globe's largest covered markets. Transporting shoppers back in time, this quintessential Turkish market is home to spice, silk, jewellery and carpet traders whose families have been in the business for centuries. Dating to the late 15th century, the bazaar is a maze of narrow alleyways where you can enjoy bartering over apple tea.

Basilica Cistern

This interesting underground chamber is just one of more than 700 that lie beneath the city. The 6th century cistern, the largest in Istanbul, can hold up to 80,000 cubic metres of water at one time and features more than 300 supporting Ionic and Corinthian columns. The site featured in the James Bond blockbuster From Russia with Love.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum

Housing the 4th century Alexander tomb, once thought to be the tomb of Alexander the Great, this comprehensive museum covers this city's past through the display of archaeological remains. Spanning three museums: the Archaeological Museum (main building), the Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Museum of Islamic Art, it features more than one million artefacts from all eras of the city.

Overview

Istanbul is not an especially sporty city but there are a number of unique activities you can pursue during your visit. The ubiquitous Turkish baths are found across the city and are an essential experience for anyone interested in relaxing from the modern stresses of life. Also of immense cultural value are the whirling dervishes who perform their spiritual spins to the delight of onlookers. Other options include ice skating at Galleria Ataköy or strolling the city's zoo and botanic gardens.

Whirling dervishes

The practice of whirling originated as a Muslim method of reaching religious ecstasy and dates to the 13th century. Today this practice has become a popular tourist attraction and form of entertainment and performances can be seen at Galata Mevlevihanesi and other dervish halls around the city. The speed at which the dervishes spin is outstanding.

Ice skating

Located in the west of the city is Galleria Ataköy, the city's first modern shopping mall. Here visitors can enjoy ice skating throughout the year on the 700 square metre ice rink. This is the perfect activity in summer, when temperatures outside often soar to 35°C. Evening ice skating classes are available for those who want to improve their skating but you'll find most ice skaters here are amateurs enjoying a fun day out.

Boğaziçi Zoo and Botanic Park

Istanbul's zoo and botanical park, situated 40 minutes by car from the centre, is a relaxing retreat from the bustle of the city. Aside from a huge variety of animals on display, the zoo is home to a range of flower and plant species from around the globe. Active visitors will enjoy strolling around the attractions for the day, with rest stops at the onsite restaurant and souvenir shop.

Third Dimension

If you need a break from sightseeing, head for this modern cinema complex, where 3D movies can be enjoyed. Ideal for all the family, this state-of-the-art venue offers a unique experience for those who've never experienced film in 3D. Close by is Pin Club, a popular 10-pin bowling hall where games can be enjoyed throughout the day.

Turkish bath (hamman)

A must-do while in Istanbul is to have a Turkish bath at an authentic hamman, a Turkish institution. Cemberlitas Hammam is one of the most popular among visitors. The hammans are separated into male and female sections; bathers must first relax in a warm room before moving to a hotter room where they can splash themselves with cold water. The highlight is a full body wash and massage before bathers retire to a cool room.

Dining and shopping

While international cuisine is widely available in Istanbul, the city prides itself on its local cuisine with authentic Turkish fare available at restaurants city-wide. The warm climate allows for outdoor dining most of the year, with numerous eateries situated in superb locations with mosque and Bosphorus views.

Popular Turkish dishes to try include kebab, barbequed meat and vegetables on a skewer, and mezze, appetisers which can be eaten at any time of day. Turkey also specialises in a fantastic range of sweet delicacies and visitors will want to indulge themselves and sample baklava, a sweet honey and pastry dessert, before finishing their meal with a Turkish coffee.

The tradition of dining out has been ingrained in Turkish culture for centuries so it's no surprise the city has a vast choice of eateries. The historical old city district of Sultanahmet is a popular place to dine for its views and convenient proximity to attractions while Taksim Square and its luxury hotels have upscale options. Istiklal Street is the best place to find doner kebab.

It is also possible to find restaurants that provide live entertainment such as belly dancing and folk music. American style fast-food dining isn't nearly as popular as Turkish fast-food in Istanbul, largely because many traditional Turkish dishes can be served quickly and at more affordable prices. In fact, you will find Turkish fast food at street vendor stalls city-wide.

For more than 1,000 years Istanbul has been a trading hub for European, Middle Eastern and Asian vendors. This interesting mix has created an unforgettable shopping scene that is centred on the city's quintessential shopping experience - the Grand Bazaar. Here you will find an amalgamation of silk, jewellery, carpet and spice vendors peddling their wares along narrow covered alleyways.

Other notable shopping areas include the Egyptian Bazaar for its herb and spice stores, the Sultanahmet area for souvenirs, the harbour area for its Sunday morning craft and antiques market and Galleria Ataköy shopping mall for its brand name goods. Popular buys include tea sets, talismans, spice trays, carpets, jewellery and brassware, all of which are widely available at affordable prices.

Shopping in Istanbul can be an overwhelming experience for the uninitiated. Stepping into the Grand Bazaar is akin to stepping back in time and shoppers need to be prepared for persistent shop keepers and hard bargaining. Bartering for goods is a way of life here so be ready to negotiate for a good price and try to have fun doing so.

Istanbul has a whole spectrum of dining to choose from including upscale Turkish restaurants, al fresco seafood eateries and authentic Ottoman kitchens. Also not to be missed are the Turkish desserts or the city's international choices such as Japanese and Chinese. Many of the top choices boast spectacular views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul's most famous mosques, and prices are usually very reasonable.

Overview

Getting to Istanbul is easy with the city's Istanbul Ataturk International Airport receiving flights from around the globe. It is also possible to arrive by rail from European and Middle Eastern destinations while buses and ferries also service regional cities. While the Bosphorus is crossed by two bridges linking east and west, driving in the city isn't a popular choice due to hectic traffic. Trams, buses, boats and metros make up the comprehensive inner-city transport network.

Airports

Istanbul Ataturk International Airport is the primary gateway into the city. Situated just 15 miles from the city centre, the two-terminal airport serves flights to major destinations around the world and has an annual throughput of 12 million passengers.

Both the international and domestic terminals have excellent passenger facilities including ATMs, banks, eateries, duty-free shops, postal services and telephones. Wheelchair access is available throughout and the airport features specially adapted telephones and toilets. Parking is also available.

Transport options to the city from the airport include the Havas Airport bus, an inexpensive service that runs to Taksim Square on demand, with the journey taking 30 minutes. The light railway service is more convenient while regular taxis and shared taxis leave from outside both terminals. Many hotels also provide pick-up services for guests.

The city's second airport, Sabiha Gocken International Airport, handles three million passengers annually and is situated 12 miles from the city centre. This two-terminal airport has less extensive facilities than Ataturk International but all essentials are catered for including dining, duty-free and banking. Shuttle buses make the 45-minute journey to the city centre via Ataturk International. Taxis are a more convenient choice and run 24 hours.

Public transportation

The city has two main railway stations, Sirkeci and Haydarpasa, with the former receiving services from Europe and the latter from the Middle East. Buses also come in from all over at Esenler Otogar Station in the west of the city. The centrally situated Karakoy Port receives international ferries. It is also possible to drive here from Europe or the Middle East, but this isn't recommended due to the hectic traffic conditions and high accident rate.

Once in the city, getting around is easy once you have mastered negotiating the city's extensive transport network. The two-line Metro network is useful and connects with Taksim Square and Ataturk Airport. Buses are also convenient and well signed, connecting Sultanahmet with Taksim Square. All day passes are available but are not interchangeable with Metro travel. Trams run from Zeytinburnu to Eminönü, stopping at Topkapi and Sultanahmet en route.

Boat travel is another popular mode of getting around. The crossing from the European to the Asian side of the Bosphorus takes about 20 minutes and provides unbeatable views. Istanbul Liners is the main operator and services about a dozen routes while more expensive private ferries also make the crossing.

Taxis are widely available and convenient although they can prove expensive if the driver refuses to turn on the meter. Shared taxis, dolmus, are popular with locals and operate on fixed routes. While these are very economical, they can be difficult for tourists to negotiate.