Legendary City on Bosphorus

Near the city walls to the north-west, the Chora Monastery went through a similar fate but the finely restored mosaics and frescoes are well worth a detour and the smaller setting, though busy at times, is truly inspiring. A few steps away, traditional Ottoman houses cling to the hillside with upper floors overhanging the lanes and windows draped in wrought iron grilles. Potted plants enhance the façades painted mint green, deep red, sky blue or creamy white, visitors sip fresh orange juice under the trees and on the edge of the square, souvenir sellers wait for the afternoon siesta.