Istanbul is a mesmerising city, full of contrasting and brash colours, noises, smells and experiences. It can be a little bewildering and overwhelming at first - which is why many visitors choose to start off their visit with one of the many city tours on offer, to give them an overview and a feel for the magical Oriental mayhem.
The must-see sights of Istanbul include the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Haghia Sofia. All of these sights are included on many of the walking tours of Sultanahmet, the main tourist district and one of the main locations in the city for hotels. Both half day and full day tours are popular, and you can visit the main sites both as part of a walking tour, or take an air conditioned coach - perfect if you're feeling the heat on a hot summer's day. You can also take a walk around the Theodosian Walls, which were built in Byzantine times and mark the original boundary of Istanbul.
Although the Ottoman and Byzantine remains in Istanbul draw many visitors, there's plenty to see that's contemporary. Try going on a guided pub tour - Istanbul nightlife is like nowhere else on earth. Or sample some delicious Turkish cuisine - whether it's from a fancy restaurant or is a humble roadside kebab or fish sandwich, Turkish food is delicious.
Something that unites both modern and traditional Istanbul is a visit to a Turkish bath, or hammam. There are a wide variety of baths, and a trip to one often includes a massage and possibly a shave. Hammams are an essential part of life in Istanbul, and you should definitely make time to be pampered at one.
If you'd rather go at your own pace, then 'Hop on Hop off' buses ply the route between major tourist sites, and are a boon if you want to sightsee at a leisurely pace, with plenty of stop-offs at personable cafes and lively bars.
Istanbul is famous as hub of trade. Shopping tours are popular too. The Grand Bazaar can be a little intimidating, but take everything with a smile and remember it is bad manners to walk away from an extended haggling session empty handed. It may take you a while to get the hang of bartering, so start off with small purchases. The Grand Bazaar, other markets and modern shopping malls are included in shopping tours, and some of the best buys are leather, Turkish Delight, and jewellery.
Istanbul is a seaside city - in fact, the sea forms a boundary between European Istanbul and Asian Istanbul. Cruises are extremely popular, both day and night. If you want to take a day trip outside the city, then consider a boat ride to the Princes' Islands. These are popular weekend destinations for Istanbul locals, and you can visit the monasteries and palaces where members of the Ottoman royal family lived in exile.
You might want to escape the hubbub of Istanbul and go on an extended excursion to some of the beach resorts in Turkey. Izmir, Marmaris and Antalya are popular destinations where you can enjoy the beautiful Turkish coastline. For an entirely different experience, you might want to visit Gallipoli, the site of fierce fighting in the 20 th century.
