Istanbul, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is a fascinating mixture of Eastern and Western cultures. It was the capital of the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire. Today, the city is the most populous in Europe and the commercial and cultural center of Turkey. The city offers a plethora of things to see, do, smell and hear--many of them for free. Below are just a few.
Explore the Grand Bazaar. One of the most spectacular shopping plazas in the world, Istanbul's Grand Bazaar houses more than 4,000 vendors, selling everything from brass ware to rugs to alabaster to foodstuffs. It's a great way to see Turkish culture up close, even if you don't buy anything.
Visit the Hippodrome. Built by the Romans, Istanbul's Hippodrome was originally a chariot-racing track. Today, remnants of that past still stand as well as statuary and columns added by leaders throughout the centuries.
Window shop at the Spice Bazaar. The Egyptian Bazaar, or Spice Bazaar, dates back to the late seventeenth century. Here you'll find an exotic mixture of scents, aromas and visual delights in the many stalls filled with open containers of cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, turmeric and scores of other spices.
Enjoy one of the Bosphorus Islands. The many tiny islands in the middle of the Bosphorus were once monasteries and later private playgrounds for the Sultans. Today, many of them are popular tourist destinations, places to escape the crowds and heat of the city. One of the favorites is Buyukada. There you can walk around the island, have a picnic lunch or swim at one of the island's many small beaches.
