Istanbul City Guide

Welcome to stanbul

This magical meeting place of East and West has more top-drawer attractions than it has minarets (and thats a lot).

stanbuls strategic location has attracted many a marauding army over the centuries. The Greeks, Persians, Romans and Venetians took turns ruling before the Ottomans stormed into town and decided to stay physical reminders of their various tenures are found littered across the city. And the fact that the city straddles two continents wasnt its only drawcard. This was the final stage on the legendary Silk Routes that linked Asia and Europe, and many of the merchants who came here liked it so much that they, too, decided to stay. In so doing, they endowed the city with a cultural diversity that it retains to this day.

The conquering armies of ancient times tended to ransack the city rather than endow it with artistic treasures, but all that changed with the Byzantines, who adorned their churches and palaces with mosaics and frescoes. Miraculously, many of these are still here to admire. Their successors, the Ottomans, were quick to launch an ambitious building program after their emphatic arrival. The magnificently decorated imperial mosques that followed are architectural triumphs that together form one of the worlds great skylines.

But what about the food? we hear you say. Were happy to report that the citys cuisine is as diverse as its heritage, and delicious to boot. Locals take their eating and drinking seriously the restaurants here are the best in the country. You can eat edgy fusion creations, aromatic Asian dishes or Italian classics if you so choose, but most visitors prefer to sample the succulent kebaps, flavoursome mezes and freshly caught fish that are the citys signature dishes, washing them down with rak, beer or a glass or two of locally produced and eminently quaffable wine.

Some ancient cities are the sum of their monuments, but stanbul factors a lot more into the equation. Chief among its manifold attractions are the locals, who have an infectious love of life and generosity of spirit. This vibrant, inclusive and expanding community is full of people who work and party hard, treasure family and friendships, and have no problem melding tradition and modernity in their everyday lives. Joining them in their favourite haunts ay bahcesis (tea gardens), neighbourhood coffeehouses, meyhanes (Turkish taverns) and kebaps (kebap restaurants) will be a highlight of your visit.

Sleymaniye Mosque and the Eminn docks
MAREMAGNUM/GETTY IMAGES

Why I Love stanbul

By Virginia Maxwell, Author

Why do I love this city? Let me count the ways. I love the locals, who have an endless supply of hospitality, good humour and insightful conversation at their disposal. I love the fact that when I walk down a city street, layers of history unfold before me. I love listening to the sound of the mezzins duelling from their minarets and I love seeing the sun set over the worlds most beautiful skyline. I love the restaurants, the bars and the tea gardens. But most of all, I love the fact that in stanbul, an extraordinary cultural experience lies around every corner.

For more about our authors, see .

stanbuls Top 10

Aya Sofya ( )

History resonates when you visit this majestic Byzantine basilica. Built by order of the Emperor Justinian in the sixth century AD, its soaring dome, huge nave and glittering gold mosaics contribute to its reputation as one of the worlds most beautiful buildings, and its long and fascinating history as church, mosque and museum make it the citys most revealing time capsule. Looted by marauding Crusaders in the 13th century, stormed by Ottoman invaders during the Conquest in 1453 and visited by millions of tourists since becoming a museum, it is Turkeys greatest treasure.

Sultanahmet & Around

GEORGE TSAFOS/GETTY IMAGES

Topkap Palace ( )

The secrets of the seraglio will be revealed during your visit to this opulent Ottoman palace complex occupying the promontory of stanbuls Old City. A series of mad, sad and downright bad sultans lived here with their concubines and courtiers between 1465 and 1830, and extravagant relics of their centuries of folly, intrigue, excess, patronage, diplomacy and war are everywhere you look. Highlights include the huge Harem (private quarters), impressive Imperial Council Chamber, object-laden Imperial Treasury and picturesque Marble Terrace.

Sultanahmet & Around

CHRIS HELLIER/CORBIS

Shopping in the Bazaars ( )

The chaotic and colourful Grand Bazaar is the best-known shopping destination on the Historic Peninsula, but it certainly isnt the only one. After exploring its labyrinthine lanes and hidden caravanserais, follow the steady stream of local shoppers heading downhill into the busy shopping precinct of Tahtakale, which has at its hub the seductively scented Spice Bazaar. From there, head back up towards the Blue Mosque and its attached arasta (row of shops by a mosque), where you may well find a lasting memento of your trip.