Heritage and high-end design: How İstanbul is reinventing luxury for the modern traveller

By Cinzia Rizzi Published on 05/05/2026 - 15:00 GMT+2 Share Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copied

From Ottoman palaces to ancient rituals, İstanbul is redefining high-end travel by rooting modern sophistication in its deep cultural history.

The city is shifting the focus of its luxury scene by integrating imperial heritage into contemporary experiences.

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In the Nişantaşı district, jewellery artist Sevan Bıçakçı, known as the “King of Rings”, uses traditional methods to create pieces blending Ottoman and Eastern Roman influences.

This royal legacy continues along the Bosphorus at Çırağan Palace Kempinski, a former sultan’s residence that preserves the elegance of the empire. Meanwhile, the 16th-century Zeyrek Çinili Hamam offers a sensory experience through its meticulously restored bathhouses and cistern, which now hosts contemporary art.

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