Istanbul holidays

Traditional Colourful Lights and Hanging Lamps in Istanbul, Turkey

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Istanbul city breaks take you to a city that spans two continents, making it a melting pot of eastern and western cultures.

Istanbul city breaks

Istanbul’s a big player on the city break scene, and as soon as you arrive, you’ll see why. Monuments, museums and historic sights are all here in their droves, and the city’s got its fair share of UNESCO World Heritage sites, too. A strait of water called the Bosphorus splits Istanbul in two. The west side is on the European mainland, while the east side is in Asia, making it the only city in the world that has its roots in two separate continents.

A city of two sides

With almost 100,000 square miles to explore, you’ll need more than one trip to Istanbul if you want to see everything. As far as sightseeing goes, most people start in the European side – it’s where you’ll find most of the city’s historic landmarks. Reaching the Asian side is easy, too – you can hop on the subway if you’re in a hurry, or catch a ferry if you fancy taking the scenic route.

A collection of cultures

Over the years, Istanbul’s been under Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, so it’ll come as no surprise that there’s a real mish mash of cultures here. In fact, just strolling from one neighbourhood to the next can feel like walking into a whole new city. Taksim and Sultanahmet are the most popular areas to stay in, and wherever you go, you’ll experience a unique blend of eastern and western ways of life.

Architecture to admire

There are four UNESCO World Heritage sites to tick off in Istanbul. Three of them centre around mosques, and the fourth is the old city walls, which have been around since the 4th century. If all that’s not enough to fulfil your appetite for architecture, check out Topkapi Palace. It was home to Ottoman sultans for centuries, but these days, you can eye up countless collections of precious jewels and religious artefacts inside.

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Top things to see and do in Istanbul

Beaches

Beaches galore

You may not associate Istanbul with beach days, but it’s home to a fair few sand-and-shingle swathes. They’re spread across both sides of the city, and plenty of them come with swanky beach clubs – paying to hang out at one of these is your best bet if you want to secure one of the best spots for your sunbathing day.

The big beach

If you don’t fancy straying too far from the city centre, Caddebostan Beach is a good option. You’ll find this beach on the Asian side of the city, lapped by the Marmara Sea. Its closeness to the centre of Istanbul makes it a popular spot, and with three separate stretches of sand to pick from, you’ll have plenty of room to chill out.

The secret beach

For those that prefer a quieter beach day, Princes’ Islands are on hand to help. This area’s dotted with lesser-trodden stretches of shoreline. Take Heybeliada, for starters – this island’s home to a pebbly beach called Alman Koyu, which shows off glass-clear water that’s perfect for paddling in.

Shopping

Bargain buys

If you want to bag yourself a bargain, make a beeline for the Grand Bazaar. With over 60 shopping streets packed with around 4,000 shops selling souvenirs, ceramics and clothing, this place doesn’t do things by halves. In fact, it holds the title as one of the biggest shopping malls on the planet.

Mid-range buys

Bagdat Avenue is your go-to for department stores and shopping outlets. It spans over eight miles, so you’ll find loads of choice here. And when it’s time to take a break, you can pop into a café or pull up a seat outside for a cup of Turkish tea.

Designer buys

Sometimes, only a designer piece will do. If you’re looking for high-end brands, the Nisantasi district is the best place to start. Here, the streets are lined with designer boutiques including household names like Cartier and Alexander McQueen.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

For a relaxed night out, make a break for one of Istanbul’s wine bars. Turkey’s an up-and-coming name on the global wine scene, so you’ll have a good selection of reds and whites to pick from. You can pair a tasting session with a cheese platter, if you’re hungry.

Lively evenings

If you’re in the mood to party, you can kick off the night with a tipple at a glitzy rooftop bar in the Beyoglu neighbourhood. The area’s home to its fair share of nightclubs, too, so you can head to one of those to dance the night away.

Food & drink

Meze

Meze is the Middle East’s answer to tapas. In Istanbul, it’s most often served as a selection of cold starters complete with toasted bread. Grilled aubergines, pinto beans and yoghurt dips are some of the local favourites.

Baklava

It would be rude to go to Turkey and not try baklava. It’s filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and honey, and is usually served as a dessert or a snack.

Menemen

Menemen is a popular breakfast dish that’s served up in cafés all over Istanbul. It’s essentially an omelette made with onions, peppers and tomatoes, seasoned with pepper and garnished with parsley.

Turkish tea

This traditional drink’s served in a tulip-shaped glass and looks a bit like black coffee. It’s quite strong, but you can add sugar to sweeten it up a little. And if you want a taste of this Turkish tipple, you won’t have to look far – it’s served up in shops, markets and bars all over the city.

Raki

Raki is Turkey’s national drink, so it’s a must-try when in Istanbul. It’s made with aniseed and distilled grapes, giving it a super-strong taste. If you prefer, you can mix it with water and ice to take the edge off.