Overview
Istanbul is No. 14 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Türkiye's largest city straddles the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia. As Byzantium, then Constantinople, it was the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires for more than 1,500 years.
The Historic Areas of Istanbul have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. Most of the great monuments stand on the old peninsula of Sultanahmet, while Beyoğlu, Karaköy and the Asian-side district of Kadıköy are known for their food, nightlife and street life.
Best time to go
April to early June and September to October bring mild weather; in April, tulips fill the city's parks for the Istanbul Tulip Festival.
July and August are hot and busy. Winters are cool, wet and sometimes snowy, but the main sights are quieter.
Top sights
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1
Hagia Sophia
Built as a cathedral under Emperor Justinian and completed in 537, it later became a mosque, then a museum, and has again been a mosque since 2020. Foreign visitors buy a ticket for a route through the upper galleries; the ground floor is kept for worship.
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2
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Built between 1609 and 1616, it is named for the blue İznik tiles inside. It is a working mosque, so visits pause at prayer times.
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3
Topkapı Palace
The Ottoman sultans' palace for about 400 years, with courtyards, the Harem, the Imperial Treasury and views over the Bosphorus.
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4
Basilica Cistern
A vast 6th-century underground reservoir held up by hundreds of columns, two of them resting on Medusa heads.
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5
Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Down the hill, the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar sells spices, sweets and dried fruit.
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6
Süleymaniye Mosque
The architect Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, completed in the 1550s for Süleyman the Magnificent, crowns one of the city's hills.
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7
Bosphorus ferries and Kadıköy
Public ferries cross between Europe and Asia for the price of a transit fare. Longer Bosphorus cruises pass palaces, fortresses and waterside mansions.
Getting there
Istanbul Airport (IST), about 40 km north of the centre on the European side, is linked to the city by the M11 metro line, Havaist buses and taxis. Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), on the Asian side, is served by the M4 metro line and Havabüs buses.
Getting around
Buy an Istanbulkart and top it up for metros, trams, buses, the Marmaray rail tunnel under the Bosphorus and ferries. The T1 tram runs through Sultanahmet.
Traffic is heavy, so rail and ferries are usually faster than taxis. Use official taxis or apps and make sure the meter is running.
Practical tips
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY). Cards are widely accepted. Check exchange rates, as prices change often.
- Language
- Turkish. English is common in tourist areas.
- Visiting mosques
- Remove your shoes, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and women should cover their hair. Headscarves are often available at the entrance. Avoid visiting at prayer times.
- Safety
- Istanbul is generally safe for visitors. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and for common scams, such as overpriced bills in bars you are invited into. The emergency number is 112.
- Visa & entry
- Citizens of many countries, including the UK and EU countries, can visit Türkiye visa-free for short stays; others need an e-Visa. Apply only on the official site evisa.gov.tr and check the current rules for your passport.
- Power
- 230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.
Official information: GoTürkiye (official tourism portal of Türkiye). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.
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