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
3.8 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
6.6 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
This weekend
From $40 per night
Next weekend
From $40 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.06 |
| Language | Turkish |
| Average weekend price | $86 per night |
| Average weekday price | $89 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
Istanbul reviews
What other travelers say about Istanbul
Istanbul is a very interesting city so rich in culture and...
April 16, 2024
Istanbul is a very interesting city so rich in culture and history. The city has a lot to offer for any type of visitor with varied activities to do, natural wonders and historical places to visit, flavorful dishes and gastronomic delights to savor, and to immerse in a complex juxtaposition of the traditional and modern social, cultural milieu.
Around 15 years since I last visited the city.
April 15, 2024
Around 15 years since I last visited the city. It still remains on of the most captivating cities in the world. The food is amazing, the sights are all beautiful. Public transport has also become very convenient, with relatively cheap fares as well. The cost of food, going out and attractions however have become ridiculously overpriced. I know the inflation is very high, but people trying to scam you on top of the already excessively inflated prices just makes you feel less welcome. Things such as different menus and separate prices and entrance fees for foreigners are never nice to encounter.
It was simply amazing.
April 14, 2024
It was simply amazing. I was a first time solo traveller and never felt intimidated or out of place. People were typically very helpful and friendly even with the language barrier. Truly nothing not to love about Istanbul and cannot wait to return for a longer visit!
Istanbul will be very busy during the holidays, as it is...
April 14, 2024
Istanbul will be very busy during the holidays, as it is with other cities. However, the transport system is excellent and well connected. The new airport is huge, most probably bigger than Heathrow airport in UK. Be aware though of your belongings especially in crowded places. Food is great, however, make sure you check the prices, so you dont get surprises when billing comes. Best time to visit the city is March - April (cool) and August to October; beyond those months, it can be either chilly or hot in summer.
Amazing, lively city, good transport connectivity.
April 13, 2024
Amazing, lively city, good transport connectivity. A little challenging for vegetarian people but it was manageable. Beautiful city, worth a visit at least once. Tourist destinations were super crowded and packed included the most popular Istaklal street and Taksim Square
My second visit in 18 months - I absolutely love this city.
April 13, 2024
My second visit in 18 months - I absolutely love this city. It's exotic with so much history, many ancient beautiful buildings and plenty of glossy modern areas as well. In fact, something for everyone. The Turkish people are so friendly and welcome tourists appreciating the revenue we bring to the country.
Popular places to stay in Istanbul
Stay in some of the best accommodations Istanbul has to offer
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HaciBayramHotel Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $173 per night
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Ararat Apart Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $105 per night
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White House Hotel Istanbul Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $259 per night
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Four-G Hotel Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $268 per night
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Zeyn Otel Istanbul Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul
From $72 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 $293 per night
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Cottages
From $84 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 $15 per night
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Boats
From per night
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Self-Catering Accommodations
From $6 per night
