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Istanbul Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Istanbul
Turkey’s biggest city boasts as much history and culture as any other city in Europe while also straddling Asia across the Bosporus, the divide between the two continents. Due to its enviable position, the city has developed into an air hub with daily flights across Europe and Asia and beyond. Many come here for the magnificent architecture which dates back to before the Romans. There are famous landmarks from empires that held this strategic city later too including the Ottomans, one of many civilisations that made Istanbul a capital city.

Flights to Istanbul
Istanbul is home to two international airports, Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, the former the larger and busier of the two. Sabiha Gökçen mostly handles charter and budget airlines from the rest of Europe with flights to London and Hamburg among other cities on low-cost carriers Easy Jet and German Wings. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Istanbul try Expedia. Istanbul Atatürk Airport has flights to just about corner of the globe with Turkish Airlines flying to Tokyo, Cairo and Tehran among dozens of other major world cities. Express bus services and a metro link the airport to the city which is 20kms away on the European side of the city.

Around Istanbul, a metro and tram service link up to produce a cost-effective public transport system complimented by private taxis, buses and ferries that link both sides of the Bosporus.

Istanbul


Sightseeing in Istanbul
To see all the sights in Istanbul would take months, but there are certainly some that should not be missed. Hagia Sophia is the monument that attracts the most visitors. It is a former basilica and mosque, but now houses a museum and is a wonderful example of Byzantine architecture dating back to the early 16th century. The Sultanahmet Mosque is a similar and equally impressive domed structure with pointy minarets and a cavernous interior. For a peek into how the royals lived during the Ottoman Empire, head to Topkapi Palace which includes a throne room and a wealth of other artefacts from the past 500 years.

Almost as spectacular as the many old buildings around the city are the museums and galleries. The Museum of Archaeology is particularly fascinating and helps put all of Istanbul’s relics into context.

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Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Istanbul is the undisputed kebab capital of the world, a tasty meal of sliced, marinated meat in flatbread that makes a perfect dinner and drinking snack. Istanbul’s restaurants are as diverse as its architecture with numerous other European cuisines on offer along with American fast food and plenty of Asian fare both from the Middle East and the orient.

Going out in Istanbul is usually a raucous affair. Although the country is predominantly Muslim, drinking in practice is perfectly normal. If you want a lively night out, head to Beyoğlu.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
With around 4,500 stalls and shops, the Grand Bazaar is Istanbul’s best place to shop and a good place to walk around even if you don’t plan to buy. Each section of the market is organised according to products on sale. You will find a jewellery and precious metals section as well as a place to track down clothes. Popular local specialities to purchase include Turkish delight and locally made colourful rugs.


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