Iconic European cities: Istanbul

The Hagia Sophia reflects the city's turbulent history perhaps more than any other building. Built as a church in 325 A.D, on the foundation of a pagan temple, it became a mosque in 1453 under the Ottomans. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkey's first president, converted it into a museum in 1935. 85 years later, President Erdogan again declared the museum a mosque. Visitors can still visit the mosque.

After the Hagia Sophia, the 600-year-old Topkapi Palace is the most-visited attraction in Istanbul. With its courtyards, mosques, pavilions and libraries spread out over a large garden, it can feel like stepping back in time to a sultan's heyday. The palace complex covers over 70 hectares, so plan to spend an entire day visiting.

There are over 3,000 mosques in Istanbul. For many years, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, built in 1609, was the city's main mosque after the Hagia Sophia. It owes its nickname, the "blue mosque," to the ornate, blue-and-white tiles that adorn its interior. It's considered a jewel of Ottoman architecture, not in the least for it six minarets. Only the main mosque in Mecca has more.

Istanbul is famous for its many lively markets and bazaars. The Grand Bazaar has been the city's main shopping and trading center since the 15th century, and is one of the world's largest markets. Many of the shops in its 61 covered alleys are sorted by product, selling everything from carpets and spices to ceramics and jewelry. Don't be afraid to haggle when buying expensive treasures.

About 100 years ago, there are said to have been around 2,500 bath houses, called hammams, in Istanbul. Although there are far fewer today, there are plenty to choose from, including historic hammams like the 16th-century Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hammam. The bath houses are separated by gender and involve resting on warm marble, or going for a full treatment of scrub and soapy massage.

James Bond actor Sean Connery, Tom Hanks and Jackie Chan have all filmed scenes amidst the large columns and arches of this 6th-century Byzantine cistern. An inconspicuous entrance not far from the Hagia Sophia leads to this unique underground water world. Try to find the famous medusa head sculptures that support two columns. It's a great place to escape the heat on a summer day!

Istanbul is the world's only city located between in two continents: Asia and Europe. The Bosphorus strait of Istanbul not only connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, but cleanly divides the Europen and Asian sides of the city. We recommend taking a boat trip along the strait to have a great view of the city's most famous sights.

The Princes' Islands, a nine island archipelago that's also a district of Istanbul, can be reached via a short boat journey. Home to 15,000 people, they are popular day trip destinations for tourists or city-dwellers eager to take a break from the 15 million-person metropolis. Our tip: Sit on the right side of the boat on the outward journey to get a good view of the skyline and the Hagia Sophia.

Turkish cuisine is by no means stingy with fresh vegetables, meats, and spices. The fish market near the Galata Bridge has the best balik ekmek, which is toasted white bread topped with fresh lettuce, vegetables and fried or grilled fish, plus a spicy sauce. Meat eaters must try kebap: minced or cubed lamb or chicken served with salads, sauces and pickled vegetables.

One of the most beautiful places to enjoy the sunset with a 360-degree panorama view over Istanbul is from the Maiden's Tower, also known as Leander Tower. It is located on an island in the middle of the Bosphorus, reachable by ferry. The 18th-century tower has served a number of functions: it was a lighthouse and then a retirement home for naval officers. Today it is mainly a selfie hotspot!