Things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, and you feel it everywhere: in the domes and minarets of the old city, the bustle of the bazaars and the ferries criss-crossing the Bosphorus. Byzantine and Ottoman history sit side by side, and the food, from street-side simit to long meze dinners, is reason enough to visit.

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures and clear skies over the water. Summers are hot and busy; winters are cool, rainy and much quieter. Plan mosque visits around prayer times and carry a scarf for covering up.

• Sunset cruise on the Bosphorus
• Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
• Topkapı Palace
• The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
• Ferry to the Asian side