Turkey’s largest city is etched with millennia of history and reflects the cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled this mighty old-world metropolis. But Istanbul also pulsates with a modern, exciting energy that entices travellers who not only want to admire its architectural treasures and historical hotspots but also want to explore its vibrant neighbourhoods buzzing with cafes, bars, restaurants, and galleries, shops, and markets.
From pretty plazas to seaside promenades
Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is in a remarkable location where Europe meets Asia; here you can visit two continents and enjoy a beach and city break all in one trip. Get to know this lively and enlivening city by donning comfy shoes and walking the streets. You’ll soon discover that each neighbourhood has its own unique vibe.
On the European side, in the heart of the city, around Istiklal Caddesi, you’ll find beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, open markets and plenty of shops. Over on the Asian side, colourful buildings line the streets of pretty residential areas, and there are green spaces where you can cycle and a seaside promenade perfect for a stroll.
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On both sides, you will find glorious landscaped squares dotted with resting places where you can dabble in the ancient practice of people watching and soaking up the atmosphere.
Heritage hotspots and opulent palaces
Speaking of ancient practices, for the history buff, Istanbul is the city that keeps on giving. Etched with some 400,000 years of human habitation, Istanbul bears the marks of ancient civilizations, and Silk Road traders who called it home, and you can still experience these legacies today.
In fact, the Historical Peninsula on which Istanbul lies is a Unesco World Heritage Site that preserves the unique architectural masterpieces of the eastern Roman and Ottoman periods, including the splendid Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and the Suleymaniye Mosque and its surrounding, and numerous other sites of archaeological and historical importance. With all its fortifications, churches and palaces, monumental cisterns, mosques, and bath buildings, the city is practically an open-air museum.
Top Tip: The observatory deck in the Galata Tower has sweeping panoramic views of the Historical Peninsula, Golden Horn and Bosphorus and is one of the best places to admire the incomparable skyline.
Astounding art - from modern masterpieces to ancient artworks
Art aficionados love Istanbul for its wealth of museums and cultural institutions. Fans of the contemporary will adore the Istanbul Modern, where local and international works fill the five floors of this striking building.
In the cultural hotspot of Tophane you will find the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, which houses the most comprehensive painting collection in Turkey, with over 10,000 works.
Along the Bosphorus coast lies the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace with its vast, resplendent flower gardens and the National Palaces Painting Museum. Once the residence of the Crown Prince, today you can roam the ornate halls and admire works by the likes of Osman Hamdi Bey, Ibrahim Calli, and Russian painter Ivan Aivazovsky.
Located on the northern shore of the Golden Horn is fashionable waterside area called Tersane, which hosts cultural, as well as residential spaces. Once home to the Ottoman imperial shipyards, it has been redeveloped with a mix of cultural and residential spaces; the now-fashionable area features museums as well as art and sculptures by young artists from Turkey and around the world.
To fully immerse yourself in the arts, visit the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM), an impressive complex where you can enjoy opera, ballet and theatre performances, screenings in the cinema, and engaging exhibitions in the galleries. This truly is Istanbul’s cultural heartbeat.
Great gastronomy straddling two continents
If all that art and history has made you hungry, Istanbul has an incredible variety of dining options from five stars to dive bars, suiting all tastes and budgets. The city’s special aspect of straddling two continents means the gastronomic scene is an amalgamation of cultures, which has been enhanced and elevated over the centuries. From humble meyhanes (taverns) on cobblestone streets to contemporary fine dining with majestic views of the Bosphorus, it is packed with infinite gastronomic possibilities.
Many restaurants pay homage to this vibrant culinary heritage, but Istanbul also has a plethora of places serving innovative, fusion dishes created by creative chefs especially in the lively Karakoy, Moda and Cihangir districts.
For a true taste of Turkey, try the incredible array of vegetarian dolmas, mezze and salads as well as dishes highlighting local seafood and meat. Make sure you leave room for sweet and delicate desserts that feature lots of fresh and dried fruit. Pair with strong Turkish coffee or refreshing tea sipped from elegant tulip-shaped glasses.
Sensational shopping - grand bazaars to massive malls
Istanbul’s shopping scene highlights the seamless way old blends with new with its world-famous ancient markets, traditional crafts, carpet, and kilim (rug) workshops, massive shopping malls, wedding dress boutiques, international luxury brands, and homegrown designers setting the pace for fashion.
For a truly memorable shopping experience, visit the famous Grand Bazaar. With construction dating back to the 1400s and more than 5,000 stalls, this is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Vendors sell everything and anything, but savvy shoppers seek out breathtakingly beautiful embroidered fabrics and scarves, silver and jade jewellery, gemstones, Turkish carpets made of silk, wool or cotton, authentic glassware, and leather goods.
If you still have room in your luggage, head to the Cukurcuma neighbourhood for antiques and vintage finds, and the Nisantasi neighbourhood for designer brands. The Bayrampasa neighbourhood is where you’ll find Forum Istanbul, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. You’re sure to bring home wonderful souvenirs of a magical trip.
For more, see goturkiye.com