Istanbul, Türkiye
Where Europe and Asia meet on the Bosphorus
Istanbul spreads across both banks of the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. Grand mosques and palaces, busy bazaars, ferries and waterfront cafés make it one of the world's most rewarding city breaks, whether you come for history, food or shopping.
Top attractions
- Hagia Sophia: Built in the 6th century as a cathedral, later a mosque and then a museum, and a mosque again since 2020. Its vast dome influenced architecture for centuries.
- Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque): Completed in the early 17th century and known for the blue İznik tiles inside. It is a working mosque, so visits pause at prayer times.
- Topkapı Palace: Home of the Ottoman sultans for almost four centuries, with courtyards, treasuries and views over the water.
- Grand Bazaar: One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops selling carpets, lamps, jewelry and more.
- Galata Tower: A medieval stone tower with a viewing gallery high above the rooftops of Beyoğlu.
Things to do
- Bosphorus cruise: See palaces, mosques and waterfront mansions from the water on a ferry or a private boat.
- Food and markets: Try simit, meze and fresh fish, and taste your way through the Spice Bazaar.
- Shopping: From the historic bazaars to modern malls and the boutiques of Nişantaşı.
- The Asian side: Take a ferry to Kadıköy for local markets, cafés and a slower pace.
A little history
Founded as the Greek colony of Byzantium, the city was renamed Constantinople in 330, when Emperor Constantine made it the new capital of the Roman Empire. It remained the capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than a thousand years, until the Ottoman conquest in 1453.
As the Ottoman capital it grew into one of the great cities of the world. When the Republic of Türkiye was founded in 1923 the capital moved to Ankara, but Istanbul remains the country's largest city.