Discovering the Duality of Istanbul: A Guide to the Old City and Beyond

Istanbul, a city often described as a football match with a first half and a second half, offers a unique blend of history and modernity. The "first half" of Istanbul is the old city, located on a hilly peninsula overlooking the Bosphorus Strait to Asia. It is filled with compelling sights such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and Topkapı Palace. However, the "second half" of the city, centered around Beyoğlu, Galata, and Karaköy, offers a vibrant entertainment district with modern art galleries, chic restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. To further explore Istanbul's charm, check out our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. Find things to do by area:

• Beyoğlu, Galata, and Karaköy
• Bosphorus
• Other

Old City:

• Archaeology Museum: Take a journey back in time to ancient Byzantium at this late-19th-century museum. The main building has a superb collection of ancient Greek and Roman statues, including beautifully carved sarcophagi from Sidon and finds from the 'legendary' city of Troy. Check the current status of the Museum of the Ancient Orient and Tiled Pavilion when you visit.
• Hagia Sophia: The Hagia Sophia is one of the most important and imposing religious buildings in the world. It was constructed in the sixth century and became Istanbul's center of Islamic worship after the Ottoman conquest of 1453. It is now both a mosque and a museum. Look out for Viking runic graffiti on the balustrade of the southern gallery.
• Blue Mosque: This 1609-built mosque is every westerner's idea of what a mosque looks like. The interior gleams with over 20,000 blue on white Iznik tiles. Remember that this is a holy place and treat it with respect.
• Basilica Cistern: Visiting the 1,500-year-old Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul's most remarkable experiences. The cistern is cavernous and once held up to 80,000 cubic meters of water. Don't miss the two gigantic Medusa head column plinths in the far-left corner.
• Suleymaniye Mosque: The beautifully restored Suleymaniye mosque complex is the masterpiece of the finest Ottoman architect, Sinan. The complex comprises a caravanserai, library, hospice, bath house, and theological schools, as well as a mosque. Easily missed in the northwest corner of the complex is the simple tomb of Sinan himself.
• Topkapı Palace: The Topkapı Palace was the seat of government of the powerful Ottoman Empire and also the home of sultans