The new Istanbul Modern museum hogged the limelight last year, but the Sakip Sabanci museum, housed in a 1920s villa with a sleek steel, glass and marble extension, is hosting the first major show devoted to a western artist in Turkey - Picasso Istanbul.

Stay in a private home rather than a hotel. The two-bedroom Stablesgate House in the warren of streets of Sultanahmet has a fully equipped kitchen and a roof terrace. Three nights costs from £440pp based on four sharing, including return flights with Turkish Airlines from either Heathrow, Manchester or Stansted, a private city guide for half a day and breakfast at the nearby Armada hotel. Book through Exclusive Escapes (020-8605 3500, hiddenturkey.com).

· The exhibition runs until March 26, http://muze.sabanciuniv.edu/english/.