Shopping for jewellery in Istanbul "a must"

Tourists visiting Istanbul should make time in their itinerary for a visit to the city's Grand Bazaar, a collection of approximately 4,000 shops selling a wide range of goods including gold and jewellery, it has been suggested.

Indian newspaper the Hindu says a trip to the bustling bazaar is "a must" for visitors. Turkeytravelplanner.com adds that the area is the largest covered market in Turkey and with a number of traditional stores, it also has "a welcome dose of authenticity".

Other Istanbul attractions highlighted by the newspaper include the Imperial Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome open-air stadium built by Caesar's legions, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.

A cruise along the Bosphorus river, which has Europe on one bank and Asia on the other, is also recommended, along with the "architectural marvel" that is Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a basilica in the sixth century.