Pocket Guide: Istanbul, Turkey

With its old quarter skyline of domes and minarets and the twinkling lights of the city’s modern half across the water, Istanbul is the magical meeting place of East and West. It boasts a wealth of religious sites, including the spectacular Blue Mosque and the legendary Hagia Sophia, as well as a dynamic culinary scene, rich history and impressive galleries.

Best for: See the remains of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, an ancient sports complex that was once the centre of Byzantine life, admire the azure İznik tiles of the “Blue Mosque” and marvel at the 6th-century Hagia Sophia. Built as a cathedral it was later converted to a mosque and is now a splendid museum.

In the Old City, follow your nose to the famous Spice Bazaar and indulge your senses in a hammam treatment, or Turkish bath.