Istanbul: Tours & Experiences

The heart of old Istanbul is the historic peninsula, in the district of Fatih, whose monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here stands Hagia Sophia, built in the sixth century as the greatest church in Christendom, later a mosque and a museum, and a mosque again today. Facing it is the Blue Mosque, named for the tiles inside. Beneath the streets, the Basilica Cistern is a forest of Roman columns standing in water, and Topkapı Palace, the sultans' home for nearly four centuries, looks out over the meeting of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

Further on, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. The Spice Bazaar sits by the Galata Bridge, and the Süleymaniye Mosque, the masterpiece of the architect Sinan, crowns a hill above the Golden Horn. Across the water, the Galata Tower and the streets of Beyoğlu lead to İstiklal Avenue and Taksim. On the Asian side, Kadıköy and Üsküdar are where many locals live, eat and shop, a short ferry ride away.

Most visits to Istanbul mix a few kinds of day:

• The old city: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and the Hippodrome, where a guide brings the Byzantine and Ottoman history to life.
• Bazaars, neighbourhoods and food: the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, walks through Balat, Galata and Beyoğlu, and food tours of kebabs, meze, baklava, Turkish coffee and street food on both sides of the city.
• The Bosphorus: cruises between Europe and Asia, past waterfront palaces, fortresses and wooden mansions, and ferry rides to the Asian side or the Princes' Islands.

Each tour page lists its exact meeting point, what is included and the languages available on each date.

April to June and September to November are the best months: mild and good for walking, with tulips in the parks in April. July and August are hot and humid, and the old city is at its busiest. Winters are cool and wet, with occasional snow, but the sights are quieter. During Ramadan the city stays open for visitors, and the evening meals and festive atmosphere after sunset are worth experiencing.