Our Guide to Istanbul

Few cities reward exploration quite like Istanbul. From Byzantine monuments and Ottoman mosques to lively neighbourhood cafés and atmospheric markets, the city reveals new discoveries at every turn. Our Istanbul travel guide brings together the places, experiences and culinary highlights that capture the true spirit of this extraordinary destination.

Istanbul is a spectacular city that you will never tire of. Steeped in ancient history, today it is a vibrant café society crowned by a minaret-lined skyline — a place where ancient tradition and contemporary life sit effortlessly side by side. It bemuses and delights in equal measure. The city famously straddles – both geographically and philosophically -Europe and Asia, stimulating every visitor with a captivating blend of the exotic and the familiar.

With a history stretching back more than fifteen centuries and a population of around fifteen million people, Istanbul is one of the most fascinating cities anywhere in the world. The city has grown along the banks of the twenty-mile Bosphorus Strait, and one of the most rewarding ways to explore is by water taxi, motor launch or ferry. It is a far more graceful way to experience the city than navigating the lively traffic that fills the streets at sunrise and sunset.

Its geographical position alone — at the crossroads of historic trading routes between the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and beyond — ensured Istanbul’s importance for centuries. The Golden Horn, nestled within the city itself, forms one of the finest natural harbours in the world and helped establish the city as one of the great imperial capitals of history.

Sights, sounds and scents are plentiful. Mosaic archways, ornate Ottoman mosques, Byzantine churches, classical columns and ancient city walls sit beside bustling markets, bakeries and authentic fish restaurants frequented by locals. Lose yourself in the labyrinthine passageways leading to spice bazaars, bookshops and centuries-old cafés where the aroma of Turkish coffee drifts through the air.

Modern Istanbul is equally compelling. Rapid industrialisation has drawn generations of people from rural regions to seek opportunity in the city. Today, elegant shopping districts, thriving nightlife and a vibrant cultural scene sit alongside historic neighbourhoods that retain their timeless character. Yet beneath all of this contemporary energy lies the extraordinary architectural legacy of the city’s imperial past — from the soaring domes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia to the vast courtyards of Topkapi Palace.

All of this is yours, simply waiting to be discovered.