When to go?
The best times of year to visit Istanbul are from April to June and September to October, roughly the months of spring and autumn respectively.

Events

• April, Istanbul Film Festival
• June/July International Music and Jazz Festival
• September/October, International Istanbul Biennial

Must See

• The Sultanahmet district, the oldest part of the city, where there are some remnants of Byzantine Constantinople, such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern.
• Galata Tower, built in 1348, 62 m tower is highly recommended for visitors to get a feel of the surroundings.
• Taksim and Istiklal Caddesi, this 1.5 km pedestrianised boulevard is lined with shops, cinemas, markets and restaurants, and especially crowded at night.
• Turkish&lslamic Art Museum; Sultanahmet
• Archaeological Museum; Gulhane Park
• Istanbul Modern, collection of contemporary arts from Turkey and around the world; Karakoy
• Yildiz Park, rising above the area of Besiktas, with woodland and landscaped gardens. At the top are Malta Kosk and Cadir Kosk.
• Mevlevi Monastery, museum, Tunel

Restaurants, Bar&Cafes

• Asitane Ottoman& Turkish food. Address: Kariye Camii Sk 18 Edirnekapi
• Haci Abdullah I Ottoman& Turkish food. Address: Sakizagaci Cad 17 Beyoglu
• Konyali I Kebab/shwarma; Turkish food. Address: Sogukcesme Sultanahmet
• Leb-i Derya I Bar, food & city panorama. Address: istiklal Caddesi
• 5. Kat. Bar, food & city panorama. Address: Soganci Sokak 7 Cihangir
• Babylon Bar, Club, Events&Concerts. Address: Seyhbender Sokak 3 Tunel
• Crystal Club,disco & city panorama. Address: Muallim Naci Caddesi 65 Ortakoy

Shopping

• The famous Spice Bazaar.
• Old City is competitive in terms of price and variety of specialised goods, such as carpets, kilims, silver jewellery and collectors items.
• Cukurcuma (along Turnacibasi Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi) is the heart of the antiques district.
• Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu has a plethora of clothes, music, and book stores, while the real fashionistas should head to the area of Nisantasi.
• The restored harbour area at Ortakoy is taken over by a craft and antique market.