Istanbul Guide

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Visiting a Hamam (p46) 9 In life, there aren’t too many opportunities to wander seminaked through a 16th-century Ottoman monu ment. Unless you visit İstanbul, that is. The city’s world-famous hamams offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in history, architecture, warm water and soap suds all at the same time. A hamam treatment offers a relaxing finale to a day spent pounding the city’s pavements and gives a fascinating insight into the life and customs of Ottoman society. You can surrender to the steam at baths on both side of the Galata Bridge. 2 Hamams & Spas PLAN YOUR TRIP İSTANBUL’S TOP 10

JESSE DUROCHER/GETTY IMAGES © ELNUR/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Blue Mosque (p72) 10 The city’s signature building was the grand project of Sultan Ahmet I, who urged its architect and builders on in the construction process before his untimely death in 1617, aged only 27. The mosque’s wonderfully curvaceous exterior features a cascade of domes and six tapering minarets. Inside, the huge space is encrusted with thousands of the blue İznik tiles that give the building its unofficial but commonly used name. Beloved by tourists and locals alike, it and Aya Sofya bookend Sultanahmet Park

in a truly extraordinary fashion. 1 Sultanahmet & Around