Overview Destination

The city where
east meets west

Istanbul, Turkey

Soak up the culture of the Islamic Ottoman Empire and visit the iconic Blue Mosque

With one foot in Europe and another in Asia, Istanbul offers two worlds for the price of one. Admire the city’s minaret-studded mosques before shopping up a storm in the colourful bazaars that sell everything under the sun. Other classic experiences include savouring a leisurely meze lunch or being soaked, steamed and scrubbed in a hammam. If you’re in search of a destination with a difference, the largest city in Turkey is the answer.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world

Shop in magical markets

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world

Retail therapy is a pleasure in the streets of the 15th-century Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world selling anything and everything from Turkish slippers to Ottoman antiques and belly-dancing costumes. Not far away is the atmospheric Spice Bazaar, the place to pick up aromatic spices as well as colourful cubes of lokum, aka Turkish delight.

The immaculate and breath-taking Hagia Sophia has been adorning the skyline of this ancient city of Istanbul

Marvel at the Hagia Sophia

The immaculate and breath-taking Hagia Sophia has been adorning the skyline of this ancient city of Istanbul

It’s hard to visit Istanbul without paying homage to the Hagia Sophia, even if you’ve been before. This building is the story of the city in a nutshell: built in the sixth century as an Orthodox cathedral before being turned into a secular museum, it’s currently a mosque. The undeniable crowd-pleaser is the massive central dome adorned with glittering gold mosaics.

The hamams in Istanbul are the ultimate Turkish bath experience

Have a hot hammam

The hamams in Istanbul are the ultimate Turkish bath experience

You really shouldn’t leave Istanbul without sweating it out in an Ottoman-era hammam – an integral part of Turkish culture and a great place to relax after a day spent pounding cobbled streets. Expect a ​​hot steamed bath followed by a scrub and a soapy massage. All guaranteed to make you feel rejuvenated, and give you a great dinner party story on your return home.

Balat, Istanbul - the perfect mix of color, history, and design on the European side of Istanbul

Explore colourful Balat

Balat, Istanbul - the perfect mix of color, history, and design on the European side of Istanbul

For a taste of the real Istanbul, we’ll take you to a vibrant neighbourhood not far from the centre. Balat is famous for its brightly-painted wooden houses, traditional cafés and local markets, and for generations it’s been home to Jewish and Greek Orthodox families. A private guided tour of this historic district reveals its distinct atmosphere.

Enjoy a local Simit and Turkish tea on the Bosphorus

Essential Istanbul

Enjoy a local Simit and Turkish tea on the Bosphorus

The Greeks, Persians, Romans and Ottomans all fought over Istanbul, which was part of the Silk Road, the ancient trade route to the Far East. Once known as Constantinople then Byzantium, Istanbul was the capital of the vast Ottoman Empire. Today it is simply a city of 16 million people, making it the largest city in Europe. And yes, the city centre is on the European side of the Bosphorus, the narrow waterway the connects the Black Sea with the Mediterranean.

where it is

Where it is

Middle East

When to go

When to go

March to June
September to November

Why go there

Why go there

Colourful markets
Unique history
Hammams

what to see

What to see

The bazaars
Hagia Sophia
Balat

Istanbul