In March 2023, I took a short city break to Istanbul with my friend Neil. We flew from Luton Airport with WizzAir, just a day after their inaugural flight to the city. Istanbul turned out to be a wonderful destination, offering the perfect blend of history, culture, and vibrant energy.

We spent much of our time exploring the city’s famous mosques, starting with the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) and the Hagia Sophia—both breathtaking in their scale and beauty. We also wandered through the bustling Grand Bazaar, taking in the sights and smells of this iconic market, filled with colourful fabrics, spices, and trinkets.

One of the highlights of our trip was a boat ride across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city. The view from the water was incredible, showing us both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Once in the district of Kadıköy, we enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere and sampled some local food.

A charming aspect of our visit was seeing the countless cats freely roaming the streets of Istanbul. It’s something the city is known for, and we both loved encountering these friendly felines everywhere we went.

Istanbul was a fantastic city break—full of history, beautiful views, and unique experiences. If you’re looking for a city that straddles two continents and offers an unforgettable mix of old and new, Istanbul is the place to be.