Book an airline ticket to Istanbul for a city where ancient minarets meet modernisation. Sultanahmet is home to Istanbul's historic splendours. Across the Bosphorus is party town Beyoglu and Nisantasi, the place for designer shopping.

Things to do

Travel on Istanbul's famous waterway, with a Bosphorous Boat Trip. Istanbul Modern showcases contemporary art, and Sultanahmet's Archaeology Museum has Roman statues. Visit Topkapi Palace to discover Ottoman opulence.

Shopping

Before your flights from Istanbul back home, fill your bags with a carpet from Grand Bazaar and fresh pistachios from Eminönü's market streets. Beyoglu has high-street fashions and Turkish CDs on Istiklal Caddesi, and Nisantasi is famous for its fashion boutiques.

Restaurants

There's more to the city than kebabs: book a flight to Istanbul to try out the fish restaurants in Nevizade Sokak's streets and villages along the Bosphorus. For fusion cuisine, the rooftop terrace restaurants in Beyoglu attract the fashionable set.

Nightlife

For all-night partying head to Cihangir. Beyolgu has live music in Babylon and Nardis Jazz. Istanbul district Ortakoy has smart Bosphorus-front clubs, or buy tickets for ballet or opera in Taksim. A flight to Istanbul is all it takes.

When to go

KLM has frequent flights to Istanbul. Book your Istanbul airline tickets to catch the city's best events. Catch films from around the world during April's Istanbul International Film Festival, and music at Traditional Istanbul open-air concerts in July.