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Maiden's Tower on the Bosphorus at sunset

Turkey

Istanbul

A city on two continents: Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus ferry to Asia.

  • Typical stay: 4–5 days

Why ⁨Istanbul⁩?

  1. Sunset over Eminönü seen from a ferry

    One city, two continents

    One city on two continents, with ferries crossing between them all day.

  2. Visitors outside Hagia Sophia

    Landmarks on foot

    Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks within a short walk of each other.

  3. A café terrace on the Bosphorus in summer

    Kadıköy evenings

    An evening in Kadıköy's market on the Asian shore.

Before you go

  • Currency

    Turkish Lira

  • Language

    Turkish

  • Time difference

    GMT+3

  • Plugs

    Type C, F

  • Getting around

    Tram and Metro

  • Driving

    On the right

Where to stay in ⁨Istanbul⁩

Areas to base yourself in, and who each one suits.

Best time to visit ⁨Istanbul⁩

April to May and September to October

  • January

    Average high: 10°C

    Average low 4°C

    Coldest month

    13 days of rain

    Wettest month

  • February

    Average high: 11°C

    Average low 4°C

    11 days of rain

  • March

    Average high: 12°C

    Average low 5°C

    11 days of rain

  • April

    Average high: 17°C

    Average low 8°C

    10 days of rain

    Best time to go

  • May

    Average high: 21°C

    Average low 13°C

    10 days of rain

    Best time to go

  • June

    Average high: 26°C

    Average low 18°C

    9 days of rain

    Good time to go

  • July

    Average high: 29°C

    Average low 20°C

    5 days of rain

  • August

    Average high: 30°C

    Average low 21°C

    Warmest month

    4 days of rain

  • September

    Average high: 26°C

    Average low 18°C

    7 days of rain

    Best time to go

  • October

    Average high: 21°C

    Average low 14°C

    6 days of rain

    Best time to go

  • November

    Average high: 17°C

    Average low 10°C

    9 days of rain

    Good time to go

  • December

    Average high: 13°C

    Average low 7°C

    12 days of rain

Places in ⁨Istanbul⁩

Compare flight tickets to ⁨Istanbul⁩

Trip plans for ⁨Istanbul⁩

Local tips

  • Insider tips

    1. Buy an İstanbulkart when you arrive: one card pays for metro, trams, ferries and buses, and can be shared.

    2. Cross the Bosphorus on a public ferry, not a tour boat: the same views for a fraction of the price.

    3. Visit Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive.

  • Customs and safety

    1. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times; Topkapı Palace, museums and the Grand Bazaar each have a weekly closing day.

    2. Both are working mosques: cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door.

    3. Istanbul is generally safe. Watch your bags in crowds, and use metered taxis or a taxi app.

  • Food and prayer

    1. An official accreditation body certifies halal in Turkey: look for the certificate, or ask where there is none.

    2. There is a mosque a few minutes' walk away almost anywhere; the historic ones are working mosques.

Getting around ⁨Istanbul⁩

  • Tram

    The T1 line runs through Sultanahmet, Eminönü and Karaköy, the main sightseeing corridor.

    Recommended

  • Metro

    Fast lines link the airports, Taksim and the business districts.

    Recommended

  • Ferry

    Frequent crossings between Europe and Asia, and the most scenic way across the city.

    Recommended

  • Funicular

    Short hops uphill from Karaköy to Beyoğlu and from Kabataş to Taksim.

  • Taxi

    Useful late at night; expect heavy traffic at rush hour.

İstanbulkart

Transit card

One rechargeable card for metro, tram, ferry, bus and funicular.

From the airport

  • IST

    Istanbul Airport

    Metro, Bus, and Taxi

  • SAW

    Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

    Metro, Bus, and Taxi

Things to do in ⁨Istanbul⁩

Tours, tickets and experiences.

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eSIM plans in ⁨Turkey⁩

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Continue your ⁨Turkey⁩ trip

About ⁨Istanbul⁩

The historic peninsula holds the great Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks (Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar) within a short walk of each other. Across the Golden Horn, Karaköy, Galata and Beyoğlu are where the city eats, drinks and goes out.

The Bosphorus is the city's main street: ferries cross between Europe and Asia all day, and the Asian shore, from Kadıköy to Üsküdar, is calmer and more local.

Photo credits

Photographs on this page, with their licences.

Data sources