Your digital welcome book in Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul, the city once known as Constantinople

Istanbul isn't the first name that springs to mind when you think of a classic tourist city, and that's exactly where we get it wrong. Tucked into the very edge of Europe, on the threshold of the East, Istanbul is a capital brimming with character and treasures. What always strikes visitors is the way two worlds live side by side here. Relics of the past sit beautifully alongside the ever-growing energy of this cosmopolitan city. Let's explore the must-sees together.

Visiting the basilica

Hagia Sophia: the capital's most iconic monument. It embodies all the complexity of this city and its history. Built as a basilica, it became a mosque, then a museum, and today it is a mosque once again. The architecture is breathtaking and the frescoes covering the interior walls will carry you back through time. A small tip: plan to go fairly early if you want to avoid queuing at the entrance, because even though it is now open all the time, there are still peak hours.

Marvelling at the palace

The tour continues with Topkapi Palace. It stands on a wide esplanade overlooking the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus. If you'd like to see the whole palace, we'd suggest setting aside a full day. You'll need to buy a separate ticket for each building: the palace, the harem and the treasury. From the esplanade you can enjoy a lovely view over the city.

Our favourite

Next comes one of our favourite monuments here at StyQR: the Blue Mosque. It is breathtaking inside and out. You can admire all the blue mosaics that gave it its name. Visits are allowed outside prayer times and, here too, entry is free.

An emblematic landmark

We'll round off the city's emblematic monuments with the Süleymaniye Mosque, built for Suleiman the Magnificent. It is a masterpiece. Perched on a hill, it looks out over the city in all its grandeur. This is also where you'll get a stunning view of the Golden Horn and the Galata Tower.

A stroll through the market

Now let's head towards Istanbul's liveliest districts and the famous Grand Bazaar. It really is Ali Baba's cave! As the largest covered market in the East, it's the place to find anything you could wish for, and far more besides. Do compare and haggle over prices, as plenty of traders will be offering you the same items. For something a little more manageable, you can also visit the Spice Bazaar, very close to the Galata Tower. Here you'll find rather more food (and spices) than at the Grand Bazaar, so take the chance to sample a few things.

Exploring the modern districts

Istanbul also has an entirely European side, the complete opposite of the historic centre. To discover it, head for the Taksim district. This is very much the part of town where Western visitors will find their bearings again: high street clothing shops, men in suits stepping out of office buildings, smart restaurants and cafés. After visiting a well-preserved Istanbul, it can feel surprising to land in the middle of all this modern buzz. And that's part of the charm of this European capital.

Discovering the Asian districts

Finally, don't forget that Istanbul has a whole Asian side on the other bank. It's the only city that can boast of straddling two continents, Europe and Asia. Here's a rather nice detail: this side is far less touristy, yet every bit as interesting as its Western counterpart. Take the opportunity to see Beylerbeyi Palace or to walk out towards the Maiden's Tower.

And that brings our tour of Istanbul to a close. The originality and atmosphere of this city won us over completely. We hope this article has sparked your curiosity :) Do feel free to use it to fill in your digital welcome book and, in return, if you have any local recommendations, we're always glad to hear them!