Straddling the border between Europe and Western Asia, Istanbul acts as an ancient crossroads of cultures, religions and civilisations.
exploring this magnificent city. We’ve rounded up a list of the most unmissable things to see and do in Istanbul
Greek, Persian, Byzantine and Ottoman influences can be seen across the city. The mesmerising Hagia Sophia,for instance, stood for over 1,000 years as an ornate church before being converted into an Imperial Mosque, which it remained as for over half a millennia. And there’s Topkapi Palace, a lavish complex of halls, courtyards and terraces with commanding views over the Bosphorus Strait. Today, both structures are religious museums attracting millions of visitors every year.
The Blue Mosque is another glinting example of Byzantine-Ottoman fused architecture, with its domes, towering minarets and blue İznik tiles that adorn the interior. For a full view of the mosque’s design, enter through the crumbling remains of a Roman-era hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square.
Back on ground level, the Grand Bazaar will entice you with its maze-like network of craft stores and cosy teahouses. Go explore a little, before treating yourself to a Dürüm wrap on a street corner, or a mouthwatering meze in a bistro-style restaurant in Sultanahmet.

mong the world's oldest and largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar features thousands of shops spread across dozens of streets
Located next to the Topkapı Palace on the tip of Istanbul's historic peninsula, Gülhane Park is one of the city's biggest and most beautiful parks.
Büyükada is the biggest of nine islands that make up the Princes’ Islands just off the coast of Istanbul. Hop on a ferry from Kabataş or Bostancı for a short trip to this island sanctuary, which boasts a rich history that can be traced back to the Byzantine Empire.
The work of the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam was built between 1578-1583 to serve the levends (marine forces in the Ottoman navy) and was reopened to the public in 2012 after a major restoration