Old Town The main historical sites such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, as well as the Grand Bazaar are in the historical peninsula centred at Sultanahmet.

Beyoğlu/Taksim (Pera) Beyoğlu, centred around the pedestrian boulevard of İstiklal, accommodates restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, schools, consulates, culture centres and art galleries and is one of the most vibrant and popular neighbourhoods of İstanbul.

Bosphorus The Bosphorus, crossed by two bridges is the world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara (which is connected by the Dardanelles to the Aegean Sea, and thereby to the Mediterranean Sea). There are many waterfront restaurants on both sides of the Bosphorus.

Asian Side Kadıköy (ancient Khalkedon) and Üsküdar (ancient Chrysopolis/Scutari) forms the historical cores of this part of the city. Today these are mainly commercial zones. The rest of the Asian side of İstanbul is mainly residential.

Prince’s Islands Prince’s Islands consist of a chain of islands off the coast of İstanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. During the summer months, the Princes’ Islands are popular destinations for day trips from İstanbul. As there is no traffic on the Islands, the only transport being horse and cart, they are very peaceful compared with the city of İstanbul.