Top Five Views in Istanbul

Istanbul has been a part of the history of Asia Minor since the time of the earliest settlements. Its position on the Bosphorus Strait ensured and still ensures the city's huge importance in the region, and it's easy to see why Istanbul has grown (and been at the centre of conflict) for centuries. The mix of cultures and peoples in the city has created multicultural society, as well as a melting pot of architecture that compliments the stunning geography of the area. Anyone on a Turkish holiday will want to make the most of the sights and sounds of the city, so we've decided to help out by listing the top five must see views in Istanbul.

5. The Arcadia Hotel

Along with the first class accommodation and cuisine you would expect with holidays in Turkey, this hotel offers some of the best views in the city. You can lose yourself in staring from your room's windows across the Sea of Marmara or share a romantic moment looking out over the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque at night. The perfect view to start or end a day on, and you don't even have to leave your hotel room.

4. The Hagia Sophia

No holiday to Turkey and Istanbul would be complete without a visit to the Hagia Sophia. There are many great views of building around the city, and as an imposing monument it is hard to miss, but one of the best views is actually inside the Museum. Originally a patriarchal basilica and then a mosque, the "Church of Holy Wisdom" (as Hagia Sophia translates) is huge and awe inspiring. It is the third church to be built on the site and has a chequered history involving Catholic, Christian Orthadox and Muslim ownership. The scale of the outside is nothing to the artistry of the inside of the building, and the best views of the structure are to be had from beneath the dome or from the upper galleries.

3. Çamlica Hill

The view from the top of Çamlica Hill is popular with those on Turkish holidays, and the first truly panoramic view on our list. The view encompasses the Levent and Maslak financial districts, the Bosphorus bridge and the Bosphorus Strait itself. Equally grandiose in the day or at night, it gives you a great feeling of the scale and feats of modern engineering in Istanbul that are often ignored in favour of the more historic sights.

2. The Bosphorus Bridge

The bridge is a technical wonder to behold, but it is the view from the bridge that we're most interested in. The views offered are those into the Golden Horn harbour, the Black Sea and the Marara Sea and give the viewer the feeling of being at a true crossroads. While on the Bridge your holiday takes on a truly international feeling, standing as you are between Asia, Europe, the Black Sea and the way to the Mediterranean. A must on any visit to Istanbul.

1. The Galata Tower

At about the same height as Tower Bridge in London, the Galata Tower is a great vantage point for the quintessential panorama of Istanbul, and a highlight of many people's holidays to Turkey. It provides great views of the entire city, all of the major monuments and the incredible scenery of the area, and is the top of our list as it towers over obstructions and gives you a great sense of Istanbul as a whole.