Top things to do in Istanbul
Attractions, tours, and activities in Istanbul
Recommended museums in Istanbul
Where to find art and culture in Istanbul
Istanbul: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Istanbul
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Old City Sultanahmet
0.2 miles from downtown
Begin your adventure in Sultanahmet Square: the gateway to the historic center. In Topkapi Palace, Byzantine artifacts shine proudly in the display cases. Hagia Sophia’s mosaics are time-worn, reflecting the history of a space that has been both mosque and church across 1.5 millennia. Funky bars and cozy cafes summon you to come enjoy a drink.
Places to stay from $5 a night
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Taksim
2 miles from downtown
Street culture, energetic cafes and antique stores with unique treasures await in this cosmopolitan district. Fashionistas will have a field day at the boutiques on Istiklal Avenue. Concerts, movie theaters and exhibition centers provide family-friendly entertainment, and the trendy clubs and bars bring out the glamourous after dark.
Places to stay from $5 a night
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Ortakoy
4 miles from downtown
Ortakoy’s residents are youthful and cosmopolitan. Among the swathes of modern art galleries, you'll find eateries tempting you with delicious local delicacies. One of the area's oldest buildings is the Turkish Bath, followed by the neo-Baroque Ortakoy Mosque. Take a cruise across the Bosporus, or shop for trinkets at the emporiums.
Places to stay from $13 a night
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Kadikoy
3.9 miles from downtown
To stay in Kadıköy means immersing yourself in traditional Turkish culture, and it’s a fast ferry ride from this residential district to the city’s prime attractions. Elaborate wooden houses that creak with the passing of time, and remnants of the Roman Empire await as you wander the streets. Indulge in mouth-watering Turkish Delights from Akustik Market.
Places to stay from $6 a night
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Besiktas
4 miles from downtown
Fragments of the Ottoman Empire remain in this district on the coast. Picnic or play in the flower-filled groves of Yildiz Park, followed by a walk to Ortakoy – inviting cafes by day and plush clubs by night. Salute the sea at the Turkish Naval Museum, see and be seen in trendy Bebek and Kurucesme, or crown your day at Dolmabahce Palace.
Places to stay from $13 a night
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Sisli
3.3 miles from downtown
Sisli is a large district on the European side of Istanbul, near the Bosporus Bridge. A mix of mosques, churches and synagogues make the area eclectic. The Trump Towers and Cevahir Shopping Mall are reminders of the growing tide of commercialism sweeping through the area. The narrow streets of Nisantasi are loaded with boutiques and galleries.
Places to stay from $6 a night
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Topkapi
1.9 miles from downtown
Take a decent pair of walking shoes to navigate the 3.4-mile stretch atop the 8th-century City Walls of Constantinople. Make sure to spend some time at Kara Ahmet Pasha Mosque, a medieval learning center that houses painstakingly detailed mosaics. The area maintains its scholarly nature, with many cafes and student haunts.
Places to stay from $11 a night
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Beyazit
0.7 miles from downtown
There’s a sort of haze around the palaces, towers and gardens around Beyazit Mosque, giving the feeling of being lost in time. The mosque has stood proudly since 1506 and weathered many storms over its cut-stone exterior. The Grand Bazaar is filled with the sights, smells and sounds of an authentic Turkish market.
Places to stay from $7 a night
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Asian Side
6.7 miles from downtown
The Asian side of Istanbul lives on the edge of the past and present. Kadıköy is a mix of scents and sounds; in Moda, buy tapas-style food from a quirky street vendor, then wander past tattoo parlors and street art for a live exhibition of urban Istanbul flow. Buy branded clothing on Bagdat Avenue, then dine out in style.
Places to stay from $6 a night
About Istanbul
Including tips for the best time to visit Istanbul
Istanbul is a timeless crossroads of cultures, religions, and civilizations, the meeting point of Europe and Western Asia.
Greek, Persian, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences are all over the city to this day. The breathtaking Hagia Sophia stood as an ornate church for over 1,000 years before being converted into an Imperial Mosque, which it remained for another 500 years. There's also Topkapi Palace, an extravagant complex of courtyards, halls, and terraces with beautiful views over the Bosphorus Strait. Today, both structures are religious museums that draw in millions of visitors every year.
The Blue Mosque is another striking example of Byzantine-Ottoman blended architecture, with its domes, towering minarets, and blue İznik tiles covering the interior. For a full view of the mosque’s design, enter through the crumbling remains of a Roman-era hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square.
However, Istanbul’s oldest landmarks can easily be overlooked. Several hundred ancient cisterns lie deep beneath the ground where water was delivered from a local reservoir through 12 miles of aqueducts. The largest of these is the Basilica Cistern, which you can explore along raised wooden platforms.
Back on ground level, the Grand Bazaar will blow you away with its maze-like network of artisanal shops and cozy teahouses. Work up an appetitie while exploring, before grabbing a Dürüm wrap on a street corner, or some delicious meze in a bistro-style restaurant in Sultanahmet.
Tonight
From $18 per night
Next weekend
From $37 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.07 |
| Language | Turkish |
| Average weekend price | $126 per night |
| Average weekday price | $126 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Istanbul
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Istanbul
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Taksim Square
2.1 miles from downtown
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Blue Mosque
0.2 miles from downtown
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Topkapi Palace
0.6 miles from downtown
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Grand Bazaar
0.4 miles from downtown
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Hagia Sophia
0.3 miles from downtown
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Istiklal Street
2 miles from downtown
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Bosphorus Bridge
4 miles from downtown
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Galata Tower
1.2 miles from downtown
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Pierre Loti
3.8 miles from downtown
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Suleymaniye Mosque
0.8 miles from downtown
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Istanbul reviews
What other travelers say about Istanbul
Wonderful and charming town with so much history that I did...
September 23, 2023
Wonderful and charming town with so much history that I did not know about. Romans! Greeks! Ottomans! Wowowow. It felt so modern and forward-thinking, which I’m so ashamed to admit is did not expect. Loved the combination of Eastern Europe and Islamic influences existing in harmony. The food is great even though I’m vegetarian. The people can be a bit stern but are very polite and helpful otherwise. The views of the water, the sunsets, the walks, the ease of the TRAM/ buses, the boreks… what a vibe. Highly recommend the yacht cruise of the Bosphorus and Yıldız parkı! And stop by Bebek or Besiktas or Ortakoy if yiu have the chance! Oh and get yourself some chai and sour cherry juice!
The city is a magic carpet ride.
September 23, 2023
The city is a magic carpet ride. Full of colour and noises and bustle. Aromatic coffee and the mouthwatering street food. Endless markets and beautiful mosques. Tasting Turkish delight and yummy baklava with a piping hot cup of tea is the perfect way to watch the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. The public transport operates seamlessly and makes getting around cheap and easy.
Istanbul is the great city with mixture of history and its...
September 23, 2023
Istanbul is the great city with mixture of history and its own charm. We used to live among ordinary people and it was unique chance to see the real Istanbul. Local people on the street were very friendly and helpful. What was negative was some taxi drivers try to cheat you. I would like to advice to ask how much it will cost for you before to take a taxi.
The city is beautiful, with many places to visit.
September 22, 2023
The city is beautiful, with many places to visit. People are kind. I just did not like the taxi drivers who did not use the taximeter and tried to exploit people. When I arrived in Istanbul, I exchanged money at an exchange office INSIDE THE AIRPORT and later I discovered that part of the money I received (TL 600) was fake money. It was really absurd that it happened in an office INSIDE THE AIRPORT. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed my stay in Istanbul.
Fantastic and vibrant city.
September 22, 2023
Fantastic and vibrant city. Amazing historical places to visit. Easy to get around on foot and a brilliant and very cheap tram service too. Friendly people, felt very safe throughout our whole stay. Lots of different areas to stay in so research it well. As with any large city accommodation ranges from basic to expensive so lots of choice to suit all budgets. Karakoy (where we stayed) was fabulous. Easy to get to main attractions but a real local feel with great coffee shops and restaurants without the heaving throngs of tourists in and around areas right by the main visitor attractions. So much to do and see - just beautiful!
Beautiful city full of culture history and amazing sites!
September 21, 2023
Beautiful city full of culture history and amazing sites! Shopping is as you can expect a major attraction! However, watch out for con artists. The Grand Bazaar is the biggest con. I bought two pairs of leather trainers and paid 90 euros each only to find out the trainers were made of plastic and of poor quality, but by then I forgot where the shop was! When you buy anything ensure you add the items into the bag! Otherwise what they seem to sell is not what they give/provide. Another red flag is taxi's they all want to rip you off! If you are aware of this then I can really recommend the city. It is rich in culture and the mosques/museums are filled with history. Truly mind blowing. The majority of people are lovely. Unless they think you wasting their time then they can turn quite nasty and rude, especially the old men! Temperamental when they cannot sell you anything. I have been twice and will continue to go to Istanbul as it is one of my favorite cities in the world! The more I go the more I learn of how NOT to get conned and simply enjoy what Istanbul has to offer! Well worth a visit.
Popular places to stay in Istanbul
Stay in some of the best accommodations Istanbul has to offer
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Blue Mosque Suites 2 - Old City Sultanahmet Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $169 per night
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Four-G Hotel Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $230 per night
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Ararat Apart Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $159 per night
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Sadaret Suites Old City -Best Group Hotels Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $133 per night
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White House Hotel Istanbul Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $277 per night
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Other accommodations in Istanbul
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Istanbul
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Apartments
From $9 per night
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Villas
From $46 per night
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Cottages
From $46 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $9 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $84 per night
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Guest houses
From $8 per night
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Hostels
From $5 per night
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B&Bs
From $8 per night
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Homestays
From $9 per night
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Boats
From per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $6 per night
