Things to do and places to visit in Istanbul

Istanbul is teeming with attractions and landmarks from historic sights and unique cuisine to lively markets and unmistakable culture. It is a thriving city, with a myriad of things to do that skillfully manage to blend every aspect of both the contemporary and the historical world.

On a city break in Istanbul be sure to:

• Visit a hammam, a traditional Turkish bath, whose origins date back to Roman times.
• Marvel at the Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque and Blue Mosque, Istanbul's most spectacular monuments that dominate the skyline.
• Explore the Topkapi Palace Museum, one of Istanbul's most visited museums, home to over 80,000 artifacts.
• Walk through the Basilica Cistern, an underground marvel built in the 4th century.
• Be dazzled by the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets.
• Go shopping for exotic products and Turkish delights in the Spice Bazaar.
• Cross the bridge connecting Europe and Asia against the backdrop of the Bosphorus, or take a Bosphorus cruise.
• Taste the diversity and flavor of Turkish cuisine.
• Admire panoramas of the city from the Galata Tower.
• Walk through Taksim Square, the city's dynamic square that never sleeps.