Thing to do
1. Grand Bazaar
One of the world's oldest covered markets, begun in the 1450s, with 61 vaulted streets of carpet, jewellery, ceramics and textile shops.
View details — Grand BazaarThing to do
2. Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
The 17th-century L-shaped market beside the New Mosque in Eminönü, with around 85 shops selling spices, dried fruit, Turkish delight, tea and nuts.
View details — Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)Thing to do
3. Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
A nightly sema ceremony of the whirling dervishes staged in a restored 15th-century double hamam in Sirkeci, with Turkish dance shows on selected evenings.
View details — Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes CeremonyThing to do
4. Çemberlitaş Hamamı
A working Turkish bath designed by Mimar Sinan in 1584 for Nurbanu Sultan, with separate men's and women's sections near the Grand Bazaar.
View details — Çemberlitaş HamamıThing to do
5. Balat and Fener
Two historic Golden Horn neighbourhoods of colourful houses, synagogues and churches, including the iron-built Bulgarian St Stephen Church and Ahrida Synagogue.
View details — Balat and Fener