Exotic Istanbul, the former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire, is the only city in the world located upon two continents with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe. It is Turkey’s most populous city as well as its cultural and financial centre. Divided into three parts - the old city, the new city and the Asiatic side, Istanbul is characterised by its famous mosques, the most sublime architectural expressions of the Islamic faith.

See:

• Old City - A majority of the historical monuments can be found in the old city including St Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, The Wall of Theodosius, Topkapi Palace, Underground Cistern, Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market.
• New City - The new part of the city displays a modern impression of Istanbul with its skyscrapers and luxurious shopping centres, but at the same time, one is reminded of Istanbul's history by the wooden houses bordering the Bosphorus and historical sites such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Galata Tower, Nusretiye Mosque, Clock Tower, Yildiz Palace and Rumeli Fortress.
• Asiatic side of Istanbul - The Asiatic side of the city is a mixture of modern houses and wooden villas as well as historical sites including the Anadolu Fortress.
• Topkapi Sarayi (Palace) – Home to the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, this palace was once the heart of the vast Ottoman Empire ruled by the monarch who lived in Topkapi’s hundreds of rooms. Be sure to see the Treasury in the 3rd courtyard, with its incredible gems, gold and works of art.
• Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia in Greek) – The Church of the Divine Wisdom in Sultanahmet, Istanbul is one of the most impressive and important buildings constructed. It served as Istanbul's most sacred mosque until 1935 when Atatürk, recognizing its world historical significance and had it proclaimed as a museum.
• Blue Mosque - Istanbul's imperial Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I (Sultan Ahmet Camii) is called the Blue Mosque because of its interior tiles, mostly on the upper level. With its six minarets and a great cascade of domes, the mosque is a worthy sibling to Ayasofya just a few minutes' stroll to the north.

Experience:

• Byzantine Hippodrome – Istanbul's Byzantine Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life. It was also the scene of games and riots through 500 years of the Ottoman history. It is now a calm city park called the At Meydani (Horse Grounds) because of its function in the Ottoman times and is decorated by monuments such as the 3500 year old Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius.
• Sidewalk Cafes & Restaurants – Take some time to just sit at a sidewalk café or restaurant and enjoy some the famous Turkish cuisines, tea and coffee.
• Kapali Çarsi (Covered Market) Grand Bazaar - Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is Turkey's largest covered market offering excellent shopping from beautiful Turkish carpets, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, apparel made of leather, cotton and wool, meerschaum pipes, alabaster bookends and ashtrays, and all sorts of other things.