You're never far from the water in Istanbul. Straddling the Bosphorus, and cleaved again by the Golden Horn, the city enjoys a situation beyond compare. With a foot on two continents - Europe and Asia- the city has always been a meeting place of east and west. As Byzantium, Constantinople, and finally Istanbul, over 25 centuries of history have left an amazing collection of castles, palaces, churches and mosques - as well as some fascinating museums. More than enough to satisfy even the most dedicated culture vulture.

But the city also has a modern face too. As the commercial heart of Turkey it is a vibrant metropolis of 15 million people, with amazing contrasts between old and new. In recent years cafe culture has bloomed, while chic restaurants, trendy bars and nightclubs have transformed the city after dark.

Orientation

Old Istanbul and particularly the area of Sultanahmet is where you find most of the city's historic sites and tourist attractions, as well as some of the nicest accommodation in Ottoman boutique hotels. Beside the Golden Horn, Eminonu is a bustling district of markets, including the Spice Bazaar. Across the Golden Horn is the area of Galata and Istiklal Caddesi,  the city's main shopping street, which runs through Beyoglu, an area of narrow streets lined with 19th century apartment buildings. This is where to head after dark, as it has many of city's best bars, cafes and nightclubs. The leafy suburbs on both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus can easily be reached by ferries leaving regularly from Eminonu and Karaköy on the Golden Horn.

The Old City
Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, Eminonu

The New City
Galata, Beyoglu, Taksim, Bosphorus Suburbs

Restaurants

Shopping

Nightlife

Getting Around

When to Visit