: Wander these historically cosmopolitan neighborhoods for colorful homes, antique auctions, and "shabby-chic" cafe culture. Lonely Planet Pro-Tips
: Visit the atmospheric Basilica Cistern , a subterranean "forest of columns" that has famously appeared in films like From Russia with Love . Eating & Drinking Like a Local Д°stanbul - Lonely Planet
: Visit a traditional meyhane in Beyoğlu for rounds of rakı and meze, or try contemporary takes on Turkish soul food at Yeni Lokanta or Karaköy Lokantası . : Lose yourself in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar
: Lose yourself in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar for jewelry and carpets, then follow the scents ofTahtakale down to the Spice Bazaar . : Surrender to the steam in a historic
: Gaze at the soaring dome and mosaics of the Hagia Sophia or explore the opulent Topkapı Palace to uncover the secrets of the Ottoman sultans.
: The city's current "cool" neighborhood, packed with independent art galleries, third-wave coffee shops, and spectacular sunset views from the Moda seafront.
: Surrender to the steam in a historic 16th-century bathhouse like Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı for a quintessential Ottoman experience.