- *Grand Bazaar:* The oldest and the largest covered market place in the World with nearly 4,000 shops full of rich collections of carpets, jewellery, leather and souvenirs.

- *Topkapi Palace:* The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.

- *Hagia Irene Church:* Built during the same period (4th century) as its neighbour the Hagia Sophia. The name Hagia Irene Church means 'Godly' or 'Holy Wisdom' in Greek. After the conquest of Istanbul it was incorporated into the grounds of Topkapi Palace and like many other churches was converted into a mosque. However, there were no major changes made to the building’s structure.

- *The Imperial Harem:* The Harem is the secret heart of Topkapi, where the sultan's concubines were ruled over by the sultan's mother and protected by eunuchs. Originally a maze of some 400 rooms, today the visitor will see a small part of it, with narrow alleys and courtyards that still evoke intrigue.