Istanbul, October 2024. It's where West meets East in the most literal way. On one side, history and an almost fairytale-like Eastern atmosphere; on the other, advertising, the noise of the bazaar, and endless haggling. It's not a downside, it's part of the city's character, and you just take it as it comes.
The city itself is warm and easy to like, and water always earns a place extra points, here it's the Bosphorus, and it's stunning: a strait with a vast city spread along both banks. It's also one of the few places where you can set foot on two continents in a single day, so take the chance and tick off both Europe and Asia :)
Definitely try the local food. Just be ready for the occasional restaurant trying to pad the bill or pull a fast one, that, too, seems to be part of the local color.
I can only really give advice for a first visit. I'm no seasoned Istanbul regular. From the classic lineup, hit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (plus a couple of other beautiful ones), Topkapı Palace, the Galata Tower, and İstiklal Avenue, you can walk it all the way down to Taksim Square or take a historical tram.
One honest tip: unless you're ready to drop around a hundred dollars on tickets, don't bother making the trip out to Dolmabahçe Palace.
Who I'd recommend it to: anyone who wants both history and an Eastern atmosphere in a single trip and isn't put off by street bustle and bargaining. As a first taste of a genuinely different culture, it's a great pick.