An insider's guide to Istanbul

Whether you're thinking about buying a holiday home in Istanbul, or buying property to invest in, it likely means that you're going to spend large amounts of time in the city. Most of us will know about the richness of Istanbul's history and culture, as well as its burgeoning, very chic and stylish night life. But there's more to the city than iconic monuments and great parties. Here are some perks you might not have known about:

Saharflar Carsisi (the book market): In many ways, the book market preserves the atmosphere of the bazaar as it might have been two centuries ago - when merchants collected round their trades, and the emphasis was not on foreign tourists. Located in a courtyard between the Bayezid mosque and the Grand Bazaar, on the same site as the old Byzantine book paper market, it is comprised of dozens of tiny bookstalls brimming with textbooks, novels, holy and foreign books. This is a perfect spot for book-lovers; there really will be something for everyone. Through the gate, you'll find a tiny market for old coins - a very unique kind of history lesson for you.

Rustem Pasha Mosque: This is a mosque squeezed into the bazaar, with its under croft serving as shops and reached by a winding staircase. Getting into the mosque is part of the fun. You end up coming out onto a raised courtyard, which is a surprise. The mosque was built by the great Ottoman architect, Sinan, in 1563. With its array of true Iznik tiles, it's one of the decorative wonders of Istanbul.

Cinaralti teahouse, Cengelkoy: This is a great place to go if you want to escape the traffic and touristy areas of the old city. You reach the Cinaralti, a traditional teahouse on the waterfront, via a public ferry to Uskudar, before continuing on to Cengelkoy. From the teahouse, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the old city under the shade of an 800 year-old plane tree. The call to prayer mixes with the bells that ring from the Greek Orthodox church across the road. It's a lovely spot here to muse on Istanbul's history. Have a tasty fish supper to finish the day at the Iskele Restaurant nearby.

For cheap flights to Istanbul, it is worth checking out current offers if you're looking for another kind of exotic break that's both accessible, and with a culture and natural landscape that can make you feel like you're in another world. Before you go, it is well worth checking out a full guide to Istanbul to make sure you don't miss all the wonderful things this city has to offer.