Must see and do
The city's many impressive mosques, including the renowned Blue Mosque.
One of the world's finest examples of Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia, which has a vast dome rising to 56 metres.
Topkapi Palace and the Archaeological, Ancient Orient and Islamic Art museums, where you can take in city's extensive history and culture.
Handicrafts and spices at the bustling Kapali Carsisi bazaar.
Taksim Square, a pedestrianised boulevard lined with restaurants and markets which is especially lively at night.
A day tour to the northernmost district of European Istanbul, where you can visit the quant seaside town Kilyos and the lush Belgrade forest.
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Ottoman Grandeur (Half Day). The tour starts with a visit to the splendid UNESCO Heritage site the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans in the city for 400 years. In these opulent surroundings the sultans and their court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded garden fills the outer, or first, court. In the second stand the palace kitchens, now serving as galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain. The third court holds the impressive Hall of Audience, where the Sultan personally received ambassadors and viziers and now houses a collection of imperial costumes, treasury jewels and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. In the centre of the innermost sanctuary is the chamber of the Holy Mantle, enshrining relics attributed to the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.V) brought to Istanbul. You then visit the world famous Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. After the mosque see the park that now covers the location of the ancient chariot racetrack, the Hippodrome, built by the Romans and the centre of Byzantine life in old Constantinople for 1,000 years.
Bosphorus Half Day Boat Tour. Discover the wealth of impressive sights along the shores of the Bosphorus in a boat trip along this famous waterway dividing Europe and Asia. Take in the colours and aromas of the Spice Market, and see the tiny Rustem Pasha Mosque. This one and a half hour excursion gives you the chance to admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces, fortresses and opulent villas. You can also visit the fantastically decorated Beylerbeyi Palace, a lavish Ottoman residence. The last stop on your tour will be the picturesque fishermen's village of Ortakoy, where you can enjoy a coffee and panoramic view of the passing boats from the beautiful cobbled square overlooking the water.
Princes’ Islands Tour (Full Day). Cruise the Marmara Sea to the Princes’ Islands, retreats for the Byzantine princes famous for their beautiful pine woods and beaches. At Büyükada, the largest island, take a ride in a horse drawn carriage among the pine trees after relaxing on the beach in one of the numerous coves. Cars are not permitted on the islands, so visitors walk or rent bicycles or carriages – even donkeys. Many restaurants and shops are situated around the pier on the northern side of the island.