Hagia Sophia
A huge domed building from the sixth century, first a Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque and museum, and now a mosque again. Modest dress is expected, and prayer times affect access.
Istanbul
Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar stand in this city across Europe and Asia, as do the Blue Mosque and boat trips on the Bosphorus.
Attractive locations
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)
An Ottoman mosque with six slender minarets and a cascade of domes. Its interior is covered in blue tiles. It is a working mosque, so dress modestly and expect closures at prayer time.
Topkapı Palace
The former home of Ottoman sultans, laid out as a series of courtyards, kitchens and pavilions on a hill above the Bosphorus. It holds imperial treasures, relics and the harem quarters.
Basilica Cistern
A vast underground water reservoir from the Byzantine era, held up by rows of columns. Low lighting and still water give it an eerie atmosphere, and two carved Medusa heads sit in the far corner.
Grand Bazaar
A huge covered market with thousands of shops selling carpets, ceramics, leather, jewellery and lamps. Its vaulted lanes are easy to get lost in, and bargaining is part of the experience.
Spice Bazaar
An L-shaped covered market near the Galata Bridge, where stalls sell spices, dried fruit, nuts, tea and Turkish delight. It smells wonderful and is a fine place to taste local sweets.
Süleymaniye Mosque
A grand 16th-century mosque on one of Istanbul's hills, designed by the architect Sinan. Its calm courtyard and terrace overlook the Golden Horn, and the interior is light and spacious.
Galata Tower
A tall medieval stone tower with a conical roof, once part of Genoese defences. An observation deck at the top looks across the old city, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
Dolmabahçe Palace
A lavish 19th-century palace on the Bosphorus shore, with crystal chandeliers, gilded ceilings and a vast ceremonial hall. Sultans lived here late in the Ottoman era, and the founder of modern Turkey died here.
Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)
A Byzantine church famed for its detailed mosaics and frescoes of biblical scenes. It now works as a mosque, so dress modestly and expect limits on access during prayers.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Three museums beside Topkapı Palace holding ancient sarcophagi, statues and tablets from Anatolia, Greece and the Middle East. The main building is open, but the Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Tiled Kiosk were closed for restoration in 2026.
Maiden's Tower
A small tower on an islet just off the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, with a cafe and restaurant inside. Short boat trips run from the shore, and the water views are lovely.
Airports
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport SAW
It is about 32 km in a straight line from Istanbul.
İstanbul Airport IST
It is about 35 km in a straight line from Istanbul.
Tekirdağ Çorlu Airport TEQ
It is about 88 km in a straight line from Istanbul.
Getting around
From Istanbul Airport
Bus options on Istanbul Airport's own site are Havaist airport buses into the centre, İETT city buses, and Istanbul Seyahat intercity buses serving places such as Bursa and Edirne. Boarding is on transportation floor -2. The M11 metro line connects Gayrettepe with the airport, where it has its own station. Timetables and fares are on the operators' sites.
- Source: Istanbul Airport: Public transportation (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Istanbul Airport: Airport transportation (checked 4 Nov 2026)
IETT buses and route tools
According to its English site, Istanbul's public transport operator IETT operates city buses and Metrobus lines as well as the Tünel and a nostalgic tram. Also on the site are a journey planner, a Route/Station Search and a tool for tracking where a bus is, and IETT also promotes the Otobüsüm Nerede app for transport information.
- Source: IETT (Istanbul Electric Tramway and Tunnel Operations) (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Scams and safe taxis
Taxis at Istanbul Airport
Orange, turquoise and black are the three taxi categories at Istanbul Airport, running around the clock. The main stands are in the Plaza section at the domestic and international passenger exits, with further pick-up points on the arrivals floor, Exit Gates 9 and 13. Cooperative taxis charge the metered tariff that UKOME sets, and the passenger covers bridge, toll road and similar charges on top. UK advice says to choose a registered taxi, record its registration number and check that the fare is metered.
- Source: Istanbul Airport: other transport and taxis (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: UK FCDO travel advice: Turkey, safety and security (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Bar invitations and street theft
Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in Istanbul's major tourist areas, says UK advice, which also warns that food or drink offered by strangers may be spiked, so purchase your own drinks and keep watch over them. Canadian advice calls it a common scam in the city for locals to invite tourists to bars and then force them to pay a steep bill.
- Source: UK FCDO travel advice: Turkey, safety and security (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: Government of Canada travel advice: Turkey (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan5.8 °C79 mm
- Feb6.5 °C68 mm
- Mar8.6 °C53 mm
- Apr12.1 °C42 mm
- May17.4 °C35 mm
- Jun22.3 °C36 mm
- Jul25.1 °C20 mm
- Aug25.5 °C22 mm
- Sep21.9 °C54 mm
- Oct17.0 °C70 mm
- Nov12.3 °C63 mm
- Dec7.8 °C82 mm
Driest months: May, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Jan, Oct, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 41% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
sport
Istanbul Marathon (Europe to Asia)
This is the sole marathon covering two continents, with the Bosphorus bridge as the link.
culture
Istanbul Film Festival
This is the main film festival in Turkey.
festival
Istanbul Tulip Festival
This event ranks among the country's largest each year, which fills hotels and raises prices; it is best to plan early.
sport
Istanbul Marathon (Europe to Asia)
This is the sole marathon covering two continents, with the Bosphorus bridge as the link.
Who can help
Emergency
112 for police, ambulance and fire (one unified number).
ngo
Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay)
Helps with: Türkiye's national Red Crescent society. Its website lists disaster response, blood donation campaigns and volunteering. Its 168 line is a donation call centre, not a visitor help line.
Who qualifies: People in Türkiye who need its disaster relief or blood services, or want to volunteer.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Türkiye
Helps with: The UN migration agency's main office in Ankara. Contact it about migration matters in Türkiye.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +90 (312) 454 30 00
Email: [email protected]
Address: İlkbahar Mahallesi Konrad Adenauer Caddesi No:61-63 Çankaya/Ankara
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Türkiye (official diplomatic portal)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or consulate. The Turkish foreign ministry's Diplomatic Portal lists diplomatic missions, accredited missions and international organisations.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Sultanahmet Tourism Information Office
Helps with: Culture and Tourism Ministry tourism information office in Istanbul's Sultanahmet area, at Atmeydanı. It is one of several information offices run by the Istanbul provincial directorate.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Istanbul who wants tourism information in person.
Phone: 0212 518 18 02
Address: Binbirdirek Mah. Divan Yolu Cad. No:3 Atmeydanı Sultanahmet Fatih / İstanbul
local government
Sirkeci Tourism Information Office
Helps with: Culture and Tourism Ministry tourism information office next to Sirkeci Train Station in Istanbul, run by the Istanbul provincial directorate.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Istanbul who wants tourism information in person.
Phone: 0212 511 58 88
Address: Next to Sirkeci Train Station, Ankara Cad. Hocapaşa Mah. No:140 Sirkeci Fatih / İstanbul
local government
Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 112