Istanbul

Where East meets West — mosques, bazaars and some of the best food on earth.

Istanbul is one of the world's truly unique cities — the only metropolis that straddles two continents. Sitting on the Bosphorus Strait where Europe meets Asia, it has served as the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, accumulating layers of extraordinary history, architecture and culture that few cities can match. The historic peninsula of Sultanahmet is overwhelming with the weight of its monuments. The Hagia Sophia — first a Byzantine cathedral, then an Ottoman mosque, then a museum, now a mosque again — is one of the greatest buildings ever constructed. The Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace (the seat of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries) and the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, are all within walking distance. The Basilica Cistern, an underground Byzantine water reservoir, is hauntingly beautiful. Yet Istanbul is also a living, breathing, chaotic, gloriously noisy modern metropolis of 15 million people. The Beyoğlu neighbourhood, centred on İstiklal Avenue, is the city's modern cultural heart. Karaköy has transformed into a hub for coffee roasters, design studios and restaurants. The Bosphorus ferry between the European and Asian shores is a practical commute and a sublime journey. Istanbul's food — simit, baklava, döner, fresh fish sandwiches by the waterfront — is among the best street food on earth. Visit in April–June or September–November.