Istanbul has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world—there’s no denying it. The sky itself seems to be in a permanent state of golden hour periwinkle blue while the mosques and monuments that dot the landscape offer endless picture-perfect sights to soak in.
While you can easily admire the skyline from street level—Istanbul happens to be home to a lot of really great rooftop bars and restaurants that allow you to gain a new perspective on the city. If you’re into great drinks and even better views, you’ll want to pencil some of these into your itinerary.
Sky Karaköy in the JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus is one of the best spots in the city for taking in views of the Bosphorus and the historic Peninsula; the rooftop restaurant is set right across from the water and as such means every single seat in the house has a great vantage point. This is also an excellent spot to watch cruise ships come in and out; it’s right next door to the Gatalaport where most cruise ships dock.
Head to the rooftop of the Four Seasons Istanbul and you’ll be met with the stunning views and expertly crafted cocktails that make up A’YA Rooftop Lounge. The Four Seasons Istanbul is situated just around the corner from the crown jewel of the Istanbul skyline—the Hagia Sophia—which provides some of the absolute best views of the Byzantine architectural style, without the crowds.
The Firuzende Galata is located on the rooftop of the Anemon Galata Hotel—which is directly next door to the infamous Galata Tower. This spot is more of a casual eatery than a bar—which is great because it means you’ll have even more time to sit back and digest the incredible views of the former watch tower.
You’ll find Monkey Bar on top of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts in Şişhane; just up the hill from Karaköy. This cocktail bar is a bit more casual than the luxury-leaning options above with a rotating DJ set and slightly less expensive cocktails (still, expect to pay more here than you would at a ground-level cocktail bar).
Swissotel The Bosphorus has great views pretty much everywhere you look—from the lobby to the guest rooms—but its 16 Roof that offers the best of the bunch. This striking rooftop bar offers pinch-me panoramic views of the city skyline and the Bosphorus while the modern Turkish menu and creative cocktails come as a bonus.
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Ever dreamed of spending a night in Paris’ Musée D’Orsay? Or parking yourself among the race cars in the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy? Or how about drifting off to sleep among clouds in the house from Up? Those are just a few of the fantastical locations recently revealed in Airbnb’s Icons collection for summer 2024. Airbnb says it will offer more dreamy locations on a regular basis—mostly for free—and more than 4,000 “golden tickets” will be awarded to guests this year.
I am looking for the gates to Hades, but have overshot the turn. Somewhere below is the cave from which Heracles dragged the fearsome three-headed dog Cerberus into daylight so bright its slobber formed yellow flowers of aconite. Instead, I find a beach of pale rock and water that's glass-calm to the horizon. Beneath its surface are hundreds of curled little fish with flanks of tarnished silver.
Saudi Arabia’s spare-no-expense cruise brand Aroya is set to launch this December, promising cigar lounges, jacuzzis, 28 dining options, 20 venues for entertainment, a retail area, and wellness and spa facilities.
Europe was close to reaching its pre-pandemic tourism levels last year, but some countries started to go above and beyond in early 2024, according to a recent report from the European Travel Commission.
Cala Galdana beach – and its neighbours – are spectacular. Turn off at Ferreries and take the attractive Me-22 road that brings you to a breathtaking horseshoe bay shrouded by pine trees. The golden sandy beach is peaceful, even on a busy day. There are beach toilets and a cafe. There are also water sports facilities if you want a bit more activity. Neighbouring Cala Mitjana, a beautiful beach a short walk to the east, is wilder, as is Cala Macarella, two miles by footpath to the west. If I could be teleported to any beach on my day off here’s where I’d go to.Bethan Patfield
There’s something quite particular about small but perfectly formed Assos – butterscotch and rose-pink houses line a horseshoe bay, with Venetian ruins scattered between the narrow alleys. There are two small beaches, but the real joy is to rent a motor boat and discover the small bays and coves that fringe this part of the Cephalonian coast. Walkers can follow the path out on to the headland to the ruins of Assos’s 16th-century castle; there’s not a huge amount to see, but the views make the walk worth it. Roi Suites is a bougainvillaea-clad cluster of well-equipped studio flats in a waterfront neoclassical building, with gorgeous sea views from the pool terrace. Doubles from £117 (minimum seven nights), roisuites.com
There is no worse feeling at the end of a perfect beach day than having to lug a heavy, sandy, soggy beach towel back to your car. Thankfully, beach towels have come a long way over the years, with features like sand-resistant fabric and roomier dimensions that mean your legs won't be dangling onto the hot sand.
Once seen, never forgotten. Croatia’s fabulously beautiful coast and islands (1,246 to be precise) – with their rocky coves, iconic beaches, historic towns and gorgeous sunsets, all surrounded by some of the most breathtakingly blue waters imaginable – are places that stay in the mind, and they have a habit of luring you back.
Saturday morning, 10am, and I’m sitting at a café table on a cobbled street in the Beşiktaş neighbourhood of Istanbul, sipping a glass of çay (Turkish tea) and waiting for breakfast. By the café entrance, a plump, grey-haired man in a crisp white apron is sharpening a knife, before slicing through what is generally acknowledged to be the largest doner kebab in Turkey. The kebab weighs 100kg, a meaty monster slowly cooking from the outside in. Our guide, Sinan, tells us that Black Sea (Karadeniz) doners from this area are always the best – all of it will be gone by mid-afternoon.
Recent data from global research companies indicates a bright future for the GCC hospitality industry, with insights from Deloitte and STR demonstrating sustained growth as tourism continues to be a key priority for regional governments. The upcoming edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a premier global event in travel and tourism, will serve as a pivotal gathering for hospitality stakeholders when it takes place from 6 to 9 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Finding a great bookstore while traveling can be just as satisfying as spending the day at a beloved museum or sacred monument—and that’s certainly the case in Istanbul. The city is packed with hidden second-hand bookstores and flea market-style book alleys. The thing is—the majority of these places sell books written in Turkish, which, while beautiful to look at, mightn’t be the most practical if you’re looking for something to bring back to your hotel and read (unless of course, you speak Turkish).