Eyüp
This religious district, about 8km (5 miles) northwest of Sultanahmet just beyond the city walls, is best known for its huge Ottoman cemetery with stunning views over the Golden Horn. It is crowned with the famous Pierre Loti Café (tel: (0212) 581 2690) - great for alfresco tea. The walk from the village is delightful, from the highly revered Eyüp Mosque, past market stalls selling religious books and headscarves, and up the hill through the ancient tombstones. A funicular also climbs up from Eyüp to a viewpoint just below the cafe.

Kariye Müzesi (Kariye Museum)
Originally an 11th-century church (and sometimes still referred to as Chora Church) this contains Istanbul's finest Byzantine mosaics, as well as superb 14th-century religious frescoes. Although converted to a mosque after the Conquest, the mosaics were merely whitewashed over, and have been preserved for display in what is now a secular museum.

Kariye Camii Sokak, Edirnekapi
Tel: (0212) 631 9241.
Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 0930-1630.
Admission charge.

Rahmi M Koç Industrial Museum
Originally the 19th-century anchorage foundry, in a building dating back to the 12th century, this private collection of wealthy industrialist Rahmi M Koc includes various modes of transport from all eras. It contains machinery related to aviation, an American bomber aircraft, an amphibious 1960s car, old locomotive engines and scientific equipment in one of the city's most unusual and eclectic collections. It is especially popular with children.

Hasköy Caddesi 5, Hasköy
Tel: (0212) 369 6600/01/02.
Website: www.rmk-museum.org.tr
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1000-1900.
Admission charge.

Divan Edebiyati Müzesi (Museum of Classical Literature)
This is more commonly known as the Galata Mevlevihanesi or Whirling Dervish Monastery. The whirling dervishes, a mystic Sufi sect that follow the teachings of Celaleddin Rumi (1207-73), were banned in the early days of the Republic, hence the alternative name for their Istanbul headquarters. Dervishes still perform their ritual dance (sema) for visitors on Sunday afternoons (check for details and book ahead). They also perform three evenings a week at an exhibition hall in Sirkeci railway station.

Galip Dede Caddesi 15, Tünel
Tel: (0212) 245 4141.
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0930-1700.
Admission charge.