Wander around the city’s many impressive mosques - including the renowned Blue Mosque - but spend extra time at Hagia Sophia. Considered the world’s finest example of Byzantine architecture, it was built in 537 AD and has a vast dome rising to 56 metres.
Stroll around the gardens at the Topkapi Sarayi royal palace, surrounded by five kilometres of wall. Take in some of the area’s extensive history and culture at the Archaeological, Ancient Orient and Islamic Art museums.
Haggle at the stalls of the busy Kapali Carsisi bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops, where you can buy myriad gifts including jewellery, pottery, spices and handicrafts.
Relax in a Hammam - Turkish bath - before heading to Taksim Square, a pedestrianised boulevard lined with restaurants and markets, it’s especially lively at night.
Take a day tour to the northernmost district of European Istanbul - visit the quaint seaside town to Kilyos and the lush Belgrade Forest.
Bosphorus Half Day Tour: Travel by boat through the waterway separating Europe and Asia. Take photographs of marble palaces and ancient Ottoman wooden villas. Visit the Rumeli Fortress, a historical armament built to control and protect Bosphorus.
Ottoman Relics Half Day Tour: Visit Topkapi Palace and Rustem Pasa mosque - a sample of Islamic architecture.
Byzantian Relics Half Day Tour: Visit the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.