Top places to visit in Istanbul

• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

  Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the world's greatest architectural achievements, Hagia Sophia has stood for nearly 1,500 years. Originally built as a Byzantine cathedral in 537 AD by Emperor Justinian, later converted into an Ottoman mosque, and now operating as a…

• Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)

  mosque · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · free entry

  The Sultan Ahmed Mosque — known as the Blue Mosque for its 20,000 hand-painted İznik tiles lining the interior — is the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets. Built between 1609 and 1616 under Sultan Ahmed I, it stands opposite Hagia…

• Topkapi Palace

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry ₺2,750 (≈ ₹5,310)

  For four centuries Topkapi Palace was the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire. Perched on Seraglio Point where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus, this vast complex of pavilions, courtyards, treasuries and kitchens housed the…

• Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)

  Market · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · free entry

  One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar dates to 1461 and houses over 4,000 shops across 61 covered streets. Jewellery, carpets, leather, spices, ceramics, and lamps fill every corner. Even if you don't plan…

• Galata Tower

  Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Built by the Genoese in 1348, this 66.9-metre medieval tower dominates the Beyoğlu skyline and offers one of Istanbul's most breathtaking 360° panoramas — Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Sultanahmet minarets and the Asian shore all spread below.…

• Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Descend into Istanbul's ancient underground lake — a 6th-century Byzantine cistern capable of holding 80,000 cubic metres of water. Forests of 336 marble columns rise from illuminated shallow water; in the far corner two Medusa head column…

• Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)

  Market · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  Built in 1664 as part of the Yeni Cami complex, the L-shaped Spice Bazaar dazzles with mounds of Turkish delight, saffron, sumac, dried fruits and herbs. Its 88 shops still trade primarily in spices, teas and local delicacies, making it…

• İstiklal Avenue & Beyoğlu

  Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Istanbul's great pedestrian boulevard — 1.4km of 19th-century European-style buildings, the Çiçek Pasajı flower passage, the French Cultural Centre and the most vibrant street life in the city.

• Süleymaniye Mosque

  mosque · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry

  Sinan's masterwork — the 1557 imperial mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, commanding the Third Hill of Istanbul with the Bosphorus and Golden Horn spread below from its courtyard.

• Taksim Square

  Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Istanbul's central gathering square — the Republic Monument, the Atatürk Cultural Centre and the northern terminus of İstiklal Avenue, the symbolic heart of modern secular Turkey.

• Dolmabahçe Palace

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₺350 (≈ ₹680), Adult TL 350; closed Mon & Thu; book online to avoid queues

  The last Ottoman imperial palace (1856) — a European Baroque-Rococo palace on the Bosphorus with 285 rooms, a 4.5-tonne crystal chandelier and the room where Atatürk died in 1938.

• Hippodrome of Constantinople

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 3rd-century chariot racing track at the heart of Byzantine Constantinople — with the original Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius (1450 BC), the Serpent Column from Delphi and the Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus.

Things to do

• Hagia Sophia Tour Cultural · 2 h · from TRY 580 per person
• Blue Mosque Visit Cultural · 1 h
• Topkapi Palace Tour Cultural · 3 h · from TRY 1,100 per person
• Grand Bazaar Shopping Tour Shopping · 3 h · from TRY 1,100 per person
• Bosphorus Cruise Cruise · 2 h · from TRY 730 per person
• Turkish Cooking Class Cooking Class · 5 h · from TRY 2,700 per person
• Spice Bazaar Food Tour Food Tour · 2.5 h · from TRY 1,400 per person
• Whirling Dervish Show Show · 1.3 h · from TRY 870 per person

Day trips and tours

• Imperial Istanbul Full Day — Sultanahmet Highlights 9 h · from TRY 1,800
• Bosphorus & Two Shores Day Tour 8 h · from TRY 1,400

Where to stay in Istanbul

• Sultanahmet about TRY 120 per night

  The historic heart of Istanbul where Byzantine and Ottoman monuments stand shoulder to shoulder. Staying here puts you steps from Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Atmospheric Ottoman…

• Beyoğlu & Taksim about TRY 95 per night

  Istanbul's cosmopolitan centre — the beating heart of its café culture, galleries, music venues and nightlife. İstiklal Avenue stretches 1.4 km from Taksim Square to Galata, lined with restaurants, bars and…

• Karaköy & Galata about TRY 140 per night

  The trendiest neighbourhood in Istanbul — a former port district transformed into a hub of specialty coffee shops, artisan bakeries, boutique hotels and contemporary art spaces. Walking distance to both Sultanahmet and…

Hotels

• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet 5-star · TRY 8,000 to TRY 35,000 per night
• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus 5-star · INR 35,000 to INR 140,000 per night
• Çırağan Palace Kempinski 5-star · INR 35,000 to INR 150,000 per night
• Pera Palace Hotel 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 20,000 per night
• Vault Karaköy — The House Hotel 4-star · TRY 3,500 to TRY 9,000 per night
• Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet 5-star · INR 25,000 to INR 100,000 per night

Where to eat

• Hamdi Restaurant turkish, southeastern_turkish, kebab · about TRY 450 per person
• Aslı Börek turkish, bakery, traditional · about TRY 60 per person
• Sultanahmet Köftecisi turkish, traditional, street_food · about TRY 180 per person
• Karaköy Güllüoğlu Turkish, Baklava, Pastry · about TRY 120 per person
• Develi turkish, southeastern_turkish, kebab · about TRY 450 per person
• Çiya Sofrası Turkish, Anatolian, Kurdish · about TRY 350 per person
• Karakoy Lokantasi turkish, traditional, lokanta · about TRY 550 per person
• Smyrna international, mediterranean, modern · about TRY 325 per person

Getting to Istanbul

Airport: Istanbul (SAW), Istanbul (IST)

How visitors arrive in Istanbul

• Fly to Istanbul Airport By air from International · common

  Istanbul Airport is the chief airport and the main port of entry into Turkey. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly to Sabiha Gokcen By air from International · common

  Sabiha Gokcen is the second airport, on the Asian side. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Long-distance bus By road from Anatolia · common

  Buses arrive at Esenler, the city's main bus station, and Asian-side terminals. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• High-speed train from Ankara By train from Ankara · common

  YHT trains from Ankara and other eastern cities end on the Asian side. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cruise ship By ferry from Mediterranean · possible

  Cruise ships dock at Galataport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• M11 metro from Istanbul Airport

  The M11 metro station is outside exit 11; you will likely transfer and walk a short distance. Istanbulkart is sold there. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Havaist airport bus

  Havaist runs airport buses to major hubs such as Aksaray, but none go directly to Sultanahmet. Tickets via app or website. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Official taxi stands

  Official taxi stands are on each level. Avoid unofficial vehicles. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• M4 metro from Sabiha Gokcen

  Line M4 goes to Kadikoy; continue by ferry or Marmaray transfer. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Havabus from Sabiha Gokcen

  Havabus runs to Taksim, Yenisehir and Kadikoy from Sabiha Gokcen. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Old maps and signs may still point to Ataturk Airport, which closed in 2019. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Ferry useful for some trips

  Passenger ferries cross the Bosphorus and link the European and Asian shores, and are a scenic way to cross the city.

• Metro

  The Istanbul metro network runs several lines across both sides of the city and meets the tram and ferries at key hubs.

  Metro Istanbul

• Taxi

  Taxis in Istanbul are metered; the guide advises insisting that the meter is switched on rather than agreeing a fixed price.

• Tram useful for some trips

  The T1 tram line serves many popular sites across the Old City and the ferry jetties.

  Metro Istanbul

• Transit Pass

  The Istanbulkart is a rechargeable card that can be used across the metro, tram, buses and ferries.

• Walking

Paying

• An Istanbulkart is the main way to pay for public transport; it is sold at airport bus stations and metro machines. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Shoe-Shine Drop Scam

  Eminönü, Karaköy, Sultanahmet waterfront

  A shoe-shiner "accidentally" drops his brush near you. When you pick it up and return it, he insists on polishing your shoes as thanks. After an unrequested elaborate shine he demands an exorbitant fee (200–500 TRY) and becomes aggressive if you refuse.

  How to avoid it: Do not pick up the brush. If approached, firmly decline any offer. Agree on a price before any service.

• Carpet Shop Prolonged Hard Sell

  Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet area, Nuruosmaniye Street

  Friendly "students" or "carpet dealers" invite you for tea and a carpet viewing. After an hour of hospitality and storytelling, heavy psychological pressure is applied to buy. Prices start absurdly high; refusal triggers guilt-tripping about their family.

  How to avoid it: Accepting tea does not obligate a purchase. Say "I am just looking" firmly and leave without guilt. Never give your hotel name — guides who know where you stay can steer you to shops paying commission.

• Taxi Overcharging / Meter Tampering

  Istanbul Airport, Taksim, tourist areas

  Unlicensed taxis or drivers with tampered meters charge tourists 5–10x the correct fare, especially from airports and nightlife areas late at night. Drivers may claim the meter is broken and quote a fixed extortionate rate.

  How to avoid it: Use the BiTaksi or iTaksi app (shows fare estimate upfront). Always insist the meter is running before departure. From Istanbul Airport use the official fixed-fare taxi rank inside arrivals.

Best time to visit Istanbul

• Jan 9°C
• Feb 9°C
• Mar 12°C
• Apr 16°C
• May 21°C
• Jun 26°C
• Jul 28°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 25°C
• Oct 20°C
• Nov 15°C
• Dec 11°C

More in Turkey

• Antalya
• Cappadocia
• Izmir
• Bodrum
• Pamukkale
• Ankara

Frequently asked questions about Istanbul

How many days do you need in Istanbul?

A typical trip to Istanbul is 4-5 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Istanbul?

The highest-rated places in our Istanbul guide are Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Süleymaniye Mosque, Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı).

Where should I stay in Istanbul?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Istanbul: Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu & Taksim, Karaköy & Galata.

How do I get around Istanbul?

Ways to get around Istanbul covered in our guide: Ferry, Metro, Taxi, Tram.

What scams should I watch out for in Istanbul?

Scams reported to us for Istanbul include Shoe-Shine Drop Scam; Carpet Shop Prolonged Hard Sell; Taxi Overcharging / Meter Tampering. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Istanbul?

Average daytime highs in Istanbul run from 9°C in Jan to 28°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Istanbul?

The nearest airport to Istanbul has the code IST.