Istanbul is a city of ferry crossings, imperial monuments, neighbourhood markets and food worth planning an entire day around. Straddling Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus, it rewards visitors who combine the headline sights of the Old City with time in Kadıköy, Kuzguncuk, Karaköy and the historic districts around the Golden Horn.
Start with
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace
- The Basilica Cistern beneath Sultanahmet
- A public ferry between Europe and Asia
- Kadıköy Market and Kuzguncuk
- The Spice Market, Grand Bazaar and Golden Horn
Try
- A warm fish wrap in Karaköy
- Köfte with bean salad
- Properly layered pistachio baklava
- Kazandibi, a caramelised milk pudding
- Black tea in a tulip-shaped glass
Unlock Istanbul with a local
In the Destination Unlocked podcast, licensed guide Dilek Orubegarcia shares her favourite neighbourhoods, practical transport advice, local food discoveries and the tourist trap she most wants visitors to avoid.
