21 of the Best Things to Do in Istanbul in Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey

We spent six glorious days in this incredibly charming city, eating, drinking, and seeing as much as possible without burning out.

After returning home, we've condensed our urban experiences into this independent guide to the city break in Istanbul. Enjoy!

Istanbul is in a unique position, straddling two continents of Asia and Europe. It was on the European side of the mighty Bosphorus Straits, where Byzantium, an ancient Greek colony, was founded in 657 BC.

Reintroduced to the world in 330 AD as the new capital of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine the Great, the city became known as Constantinople. Rapidly growing to become the wealthiest city in Europe, sitting at a hugely strategic point along the silk road trading routes between East and West.

Constructed between 1609 and 1616, this marvellous historic building is quite breathtaking. The imposing five-dome structure surrounded by six minarets has been the icon of the Istanbul skyline for many years.

Known for its hand-painted blue tiles, the Blue Mosque's interior is as majestic as the exterior. The swirls of intricate Eastern patterns adorn the high ceiling and colonnades while bathing in the light of medieval chandeliers. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).