Topped with a distinctive witch's hat roof, the prominent Galata Tower dates back to the days when Genose traders were settled in this part of town.
Galata Bridge is Istanbul at its most evocative. Best time to come? Sunset, of course, when the red sky illuminates the hawkers, fishermen and cafés and fruity tobacco shisha starts to fill the air.
The 336-column, 1,000-square-metre Basilica Cistern is flooded with history… and 80,000 cubic metres of water. No wonder it took a starring role in the Bond film From Russia With Love.
