The launch of a 24-hour weekend ferry linking European and Asian sides of the city means Istanbulites need not be stranded on the wrong continent after a night out
She gets called ‘the most courageous artist in Turkey’ and has been questioned by the police about her lyrics. The singing sensation takes us on a tour of Istanbul to explain how political turmoil feeds her work
Right by the city’s retail-heavy İstiklal Caddesi is an elegant space offering tranquillity, free exhibitions and fascinating insights into old Istanbul
For the novelist, Istanbul is rich in Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman history, and is a place where Russian submarines, supertankers and tourist boats all glide through the heart of the city
Hope is in short supply for those involved in Turkish tourism after bomb attacks and a failed coup in the country this year. From Istanbul to Ankara, Antalya to Mardin, visitor numbers remain woefully low and businesses are laying off staff
Listening to Jari Piper play Bach on a boat across the Bosphorus had a powerful impact on Laura Pitel – and many others whose mood has been lifted by music that transcends the challenges of daily life here
A floating zoo, a sinkhole-inspired film, an underwater theatre for jellyfish and paintings by Aboriginal artists are the highlights of this year’s strange, ever-surprising biennial
History often comes served with a contemporary twist in Istanbul hotels. Choose from a boutique hotel that once housed a sultan’s tailor, a night in the city’s former US embassy, a cool hostel with its own pizzeria and more
•10 of the best sights in Istanbul
10 of the best books set in Turkey - that will take you there