Summary
Istanbul was actually known as Constantinople until officially being renamed in 1930. It’s not the country’s capital, but in terms of tourism, it’s hard to imagine any destination being able to offer such a rich and diverse array of attractions.
Long-standing religious buildings are a feature of Istanbul with the Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed Mosque being two of the most prominent. If you want a different perspective of the city, there are boat trips across the Bosphorus where you can get an unspoilt view of what lies on each side.
No trip to Istanbul would be complete without spending time at the Grand Bazaar. This covered market spans 61 different streets, has in excess of 4,000 shops and is visited by upwards of a quarter of a million people each and every day. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but gives a glorious glimpse into local culture. There’s also a separate spice bazaar in the city which is packed full of vivid colours and a heavenly mix of delightful aromas that’s sure to make you hungry.
And talking of food, you can choose from an almost overwhelming selection from meze and truly authentic kebabs through to lufer (a type of fish) and stuffed mussels. There are plenty of opportunities to grab a snack on the street or visit an upmarket restaurant – plus everything in between. The only limit is the size of your appetite.
If you want a little window of relaxation during your stay, then head to Emirgan Park. It’s a large area complete with its own ponds and offers a peaceful sanctuary to stop and have a spot of lunch or just get ready for your next Istanbul discovery.
Palaces, mosques, museums, monuments and places to shop are just some of the other ways to spend your precious time in this tremendous Turkish city. And while you’ll undoubtedly be sorry to leave it behind, the beauty of our multi-centre holidays is that there’s another destination just a short flight away. And in this case it’s the Greek capital, Athens.
