The Olympics are drawing ever closer but we know that there’s probably a fair number of you out there without tickets, despite your best efforts. Why not head to one of the Olympic warm up events instead? See the athletes competing to do qualifying times and for bragging rights, as well as medals in this case.

The World Indoor Athletics Championships are heading to Istanbul from 9th – 11th March, so why not book yourself a last minute Istanbul holiday and see what all the fuss is about!

And whilst you’re there, you can check out some of Istanbul’s amazing sights. There are plenty of grand buildings, amazing food and more just waiting to be discovered.

Dolmabahce Palace

Image by Kivanc Nis

An unbelievably lavish palace, where fourteen tonnes of gold leaf, a staircase made with crystals and 150 year old bear skin rugs are all part of the décor!

Hagia Sophia

Image by Sev!

Once a cathedral, then a mosque and now a museum, this is Istanbul’s most recognised landmark and the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture – boasting a huge dome it was the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years!

Grand Bazaar

Image by laszlo-photo

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to see over 4,000 shops! One thing’s for sure though, you won’t be alone, with up to half a million visitors every day!

City Walls

Image by Nickmard

The walls of Old Constantinople, they once provided the protection for the city in the largest fortress ever seen in the Christian era. Take a stroll along them, visit some of the towers and look out for the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus hidden away in there too.

Top image by Poiseon Bild & Text