All direct flights to Istanbul (All Airports) from the UK & Ireland

Mark Says

Although there are continued doubts about the size of Istanbul's population ' estimates range from between nine and 20 million ' it's definitely big. So where to start? Most visitors' first point of call is likely to be the old city neighbourhoods of Sultanahmet and the Bazaar District, traditional corners full of mosques and çay bahçesis (tea gardens) and where two of the most beautiful buildings in the world ' the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque ' take pride of place. Exploring the Topkapý Palace complex and bargaining in the famous Grand Bazaar are also essential activities in this part of town.
North of the old city and over Galata Bridge is the modern Beyoðlu area, whose main thoroughfare Ýstiklal Caddesi stretches all the way up to the emblematic Taksim Square. In sharp contrast to the conservative old city, this most European of districts is crammed full of bars and high street shops. Dinner at one of the many meyhanes on the lively street of Nevizade Sokak is an absolute must here, though how much water you add to your stiff glass of raký is entirely up to you. For a taste of something completely different, a quick ferry ride over the Bosphorus will take you to the Asian shore, where districts such as Üsküdar and Kadýköy show you a side of Istanbul where traditional Turkey is significantly more evident.
If you have more days at your disposal ' and you're likely to need them ' then you can't miss a boat trip up the Bosphorus. Going as far as the Black Sea, you can easily spend the entire day hopping on and off at different points of the journey and seeing at first hand the many faces of this enthralling city.