The Topkapi Sarayi was the centre of the Ottoman Empire for more than four centuries. The huge palace is divided into four courts, which impresses every visitor.

The At Meydani, an Egyptian obelisk, is also worth seeing on a trip to Istanbul. Take a look at the Bozdogan Kemeri, an aqueduct with a length of 800 metres.

The Arkeoloji Müzesi is the most famous museum in Istanbul and houses the world-famous sarcophagus of Alexander. Although not the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, it's a wonderful example of an archaeological find of the time before Christ.

Ayasofya is the church of the holy wisdom, which is more than 1,400 years old. The city's landmark makes an impact on all visitors with its red shimmering walls, huge interior space and exhibits.

The observation tower Galata Kulesi has a fantastic view. The tower was built in 1348 from the Genoese colony, has a height of 62 metres and offers a restaurant as well.

The Bosporus tour offers a wonderful possibility to discover the area by boat. The Bosporus, 33 kilometres in length, connects two continents and two seas. Its narrowest point is between the Rumeli and Anadolu fortresses.

Breakfast is not very common in the region. Nevertheless, the charming cafés in the city provide warm toasts and delicious coffee and tea.

Lunch is also not very important, but dinner is the main meal for all the city's inhabitants. Visitors should definitely try the fresh fish and follow it with baklava for dessert.

The Changa is one of the most famous restaurants in the city. It has received several awards for being one of the top 50 restaurants in the world - it surprises with the combination of modern and traditional Turkish cuisine. The highlight is the restaurant's glass roof, through which guests can watch the chef and the team preparing their dishes.

The Pescatore specialises in fresh fish and shellfish. If the weather is fine, the delicious seafood can be enjoyed on the terrace with a wonderful view overlooking the sea.

The Café Ara, established by a filmmaker, has often been a haunt for people from the film industry. Short film screenings and photo and art exhibitions take place in this cultural café.

Istanbul is the city of shopping. Countless shopping malls, bazaars, markets, outlet centres and concept stores are to be found in the megacity.

The largest shopping centre is the Capitol. The huge complex houses numerous stores, an entertainment centre with a cinema and lots of cafés and restaurants. Furthermore, it is open daily from 9am to 10pm.

In the Akmerkez centre, over 140 designer shops offer their exclusive fashion and jewellery.

The Kapali Carsi, the big bazaar, is located at the heart of the old city centre. It has 17 entrances and is sorted by the different businesses; every craft has their own quarter.

The Misir Carsisi specialises in spices, but also provides Turkish (dried) fruits, nuts and herbs.

Istanbul is especially popular for its excellent gold prices, as is Turkey in general. Beautiful jewellery and accessories can be found at antique markets such as the Eskidji bazaar or in the shop Abdullah.