Istanbul is just a three-and-a-half hour flight away from the UK. Pegasus Airlines flies daily from London Stansted to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport from £77.99. On arrival, catch an airport shuttle bus to the city centre from as little as 10 euros and if arriving at Ataturk Airport travel via the underground.

Getting around Istanbul is easy as there are buses, trams, taxis, trains and boats to choose from. If you’re based in the Old City, you’ll also enjoy walking as most of the attractions, like the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar are located within close proximity.

For a truly indulgent stay, book a room at the Istanbul Edition. It has stylish rooms, a luxury ESPA spa and an exclusive restaurant, bar and nightclub. The super-sleek W Istanbul (pictured) is perfect for trendy jet-setters with glamorous rooms and hip restaurants.

If you’re looking for somewhere that’s good value for money, cosy and just a stone’s throw away from the best attractions, the Celal Sultan Hotel is a gem, ideally located in the old city of Sultanahmet. On the Asian side, A’jia is a luxury boutique hotel with chic, Ottoman style.

Dine at Khorasani Restaurant in Sultanahmet, which is a stylish kebab house with three floors to choose from. You can opt to eat grill-side and the steak is to die for! Cezayir Restaurant in Galatasaray offers traditional Turkish dishes with a modern twist and is located inside an old school house.

There are also some excellent international restaurants around if you fancy Italian, Japanese or even American. Try Miss Pizza in Cihangir, where the locals go if you’re after a good pizza. There’s a wide range of fish restaurants around too and if you don’t mind hopping over to the Asian side, Tac Restaurant (pictured) claims to be the best seafood joint east of the Bosphorus and is located on its banks. The staff don’t speak much English but the dishes are so tasty you’ll be happy with whatever catch of the day they bring out for you!

Marvel at the magnificent Hagia Sophia, which is known as one of the most amazing buildings in the world. Here you can see the awe-inspiring architecture of the building, which was once a cathedral and a mosque, before becoming a museum. Istanbul's most famous religious site that's still in use is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) and is another must-see. Visitors can enter the mosque when prayers aren't taking place to see its wonderful interior.

The Ottoman-style Topkapi Palace, where sultans resided between the 1400s and 1800s is worth a visit, as well as the Istanbul Archaeology Museums with artifacts dating back to 6000 B.C and the Chora Church, where you'll find some of the world's finest Byzantine mosaics and frescos.

A visit to the Grand Bazaar is an absolute must on your trip to Istanbul. If you're a shopaholic you'll never want to leave this maze that's the oldest shopping centre in the world, built in 1461 – it has 4,000 stores all under one roof! At the Grand Bazaar you'll be able to purchase hand-woven carpets, Turkish art, leather and souvenirs.

The Egyptian Bazaar is another covered bazaar in the city and is famous for its herbalists, spices, Turkish delight and natural medicines. If luxury shopping boutiques are what you're after, head to the Nisantasi district where you'll find world-famous designer brands and the City's Nisantasi shopping mall.

A Turkish bath or hamam is just what you’ll need after a long day of sightseeing or shopping in Istanbul. The experience generally involves lying on a hot marble slab for your body to sweat before you receive a soap massage and scrub down. Most hamams have separated sections for men and women but if you want one as a couple, the Suleymaniye Hamam offers mixed baths for 35 euros per person.

Cagaloglu Hamam is one of Istanbul’s most famous hamams and is as beautiful to see as much as it is an experience. Men and women are divided and the baths range from 20 to 100 euros. There are many other hamams around Istanbul and in some hotels too.

Take to the water on a boat ride along Istanbul's famous waterway the Bosphorus, which divides the city's Asian and European sides. While on board you'll be able to see the different villages that line the waterfront, the two bridges (look out for the men fishing on the bridges) and the Bosphorus's two islands, the Maiden's Tower and Galatasaray Island.

Den Den Denizcilik offers private, long or short boat tours and you can choose the type of boat you want to travel in. Istanbul City Lines runs the whole length of the Bosphorus for 25 TL (around £10), leaving from Eminonu and Besiktas.

There are plenty of pubs, bars and nightclubs around Istanbul and the city's as buzzing at night as it is in the day. Try 360 for dinner in the restaurant, cocktails in the bar and dancing in its club.

Babylon is the place to go for live music from local and international artists and W Lounge at W Istanbul is the place to be seen, attracting the city’s most stylish locals and tourists. For an unforgettable experience, see a spectacular Whirling Dervishes ceremony (pictured) at the Hodja Pasha Cultural Centre.

If you're visiting for more than a weekend, take a trip to the Princes’ Islands in the Marmara Sea. Buyukada is the largest island and can be explored by foot or horse and carriage as motor vehicles are banned throughout it and all the other islands. Heybeliada is the second largest island, with some historical sites to visit plus open-air concerts in the summer and bars and cafes.

You can get to four of the larger islands by ferry with Ido, which takes around an hour and a half. If you want to visit an island but don’t have time to travel to the Princes’ Islands, catch a boat to the Maiden’s Tower (pictured) off the coast of Uskudur on the Asian side and learn about the history and legends of the tower before stopping at the café that’s at the top.

Try the apple tea. It’s delicious and can be found everywhere, from cafes, restaurants and hotels to the Grand Bazaar, where you may be offered a cup by one of the salesmen!

Go to the Asian side - even if it’s just for a day. You’ll see how different it is to the bustling European side and is almost like a beachside holiday resort in some areas.

Take the tram. It’s cheap (around 70p a ride) and is a good way to get around the city and get a glimpse of the different neighbourhoods if you’re short on time. There are two types – the modern trams and heritage trams (pictured).

Taste the seafood. If you go to a restaurant that specialises in fish, you’ll be sure to find the catch of the day from the Bosphorus. Sea bass, mackerel, shrimp and bluefish are just some of its delights.