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Istanbul The guide was updated: 2025-07-29

It’s easy to lose yourself in Istanbul's grandiose history, but modern Istanbul is a simmering metropolis, well worth a visit in its own right. The shopping is world-class and the nightlife pulsates around not one but several districts. Even though Istanbul is no longer the capital, it’s still the country’s business and cultural centre, still the city where new trends are created.

Facts

Population:	Approximately 16.2 million Greater Istanbul (2025)
Currency:	Turkish Lira, TL1 = 100 kuruş
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	112
Newspapers:	Daily News (English): www.hurriyetdailynews.com Daily Sabah (English): www.dailysabah.com Turkish Minute (English): www.turkishminute.com
Website:	www.istanbul.com
Opening hours:	The official opening hours for shops are 9am–6pm. However, many traders and shops stay open until midnight. Most hotels will have at least one 24 hour restaurant.
Tourist information:	www.visit.istanbul/en

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Section in Istanbul

Istanbul is a vibrant city whose grandiose history is utterly fascinating. Take a stroll around the city and admire the amazing mosques, museums and the Great Bazaar, or even visit an authentic Turkish bath.

Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia)

Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia)

Aya Sofya is a remarkable mixture of Christianity and Islam, a church with minarets and a mosque with pictures of the Virgin Mary that, unfortunately, are now covered up. The building is one of the wonders of world architecture. Its 32-metre main dome has stood firm since Aya Sofya's completion in 537 CE. That's almost one and a half thousand years ago. Originally constructed as a Christian church, the temple has since been a mosque, then a museum, and now once again acts as a mosque.

Galata Tower

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, just to the north of the Golden Horn's junction with the Bosphorus. The top floor of the tower is located at a height of 52 metres and houses an observation deck. It is unlikely that you will find a better lookout spot in all of the city; it's simply stunning. The tower is one of the most iconic buildings in Istanbul and is a very popular destination. It's a good idea to come early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace

The palace of the sultans with its many courtyards and gates brings on a nostalgia for forgone times. There are several special museums in the area; highlights include the Treasure Chamber, where the famous dagger and Spoonmaker's diamond are true stars of the collection, and the harem, where the sultan’s wives and children lived. None of these are included in the ticket price to the palace.

Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque)

Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque)

Built at the beginning of the 16th century during the rule of Sultan Ahmet I, this grandiose mosque seamlessly combines Ottoman and Byzantine architectural styles. The building is known for its six minarets and was given its nickname for the 20,000 blue tiles adorning the interior. These tiles were made in Iznik, an area that was famous during the Ottoman Empire for its expert production of ceramic tiles.

Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar attracts many people, far too many if you come at rush hour. It’s a good idea to arrive early in the morning and enjoy a cup of tea in one of the cafes whilst the bazaar comes to life. There are thousands of stalls, selling virtually everything, carpets, gold, cloth, spices and more. The bazaar is a world of its own and it’s easy and fun to get lost in the teeming alleyways.

Turkish Baths

Turkish Baths

It is said that if you have never tried a Turkish bath then you have never been truly clean. Move through several hot rooms and finally arrive at the massage table for a real going over. Men and women bathe separately, exceptions are made at certain times for tourists. Çemberlitaş Hamam, situated near the Bazaar, is the oldest hamam in town and was reputedly built by the master architect Mimar Sinan in 1584.

Maçka Park

Maçka Park

Maçka Democracy Park is about 10 minutes away from Taksim square and has paths for jogging, walking and dog walking. The northern part of the park is popular with young people who come there to sit around on the lawn, talk with friends over a couple of drinks and escape the heat of the city blocks. The park's location, close to a university campus, means it's always full of hip students. Don't miss the opportunity to fly high above the park in a cute 2-cabin cable car. You'll need your public transit card for that.

Boat Trips

Boat Trips

Boats travel along the shores of the Bosphorus from Eminönü, they chug quietly under the bridges that connect Europe and Asia. One hour away is Anadolukavağı, a little Asian fishing village with lots of pleasant restaurants. You can travel to the largest of the Prince Islands with a Seabus, departing from Kabataş below the Dolmabahçe Palace. Ferry terminals in Eminönü and Karaköy on either side of the Galata bridge are good starting points for exploring Istanbul by ferry.

Eminönü Pier

Eminönü Pier

Eminönü Pier is located right next to the famed Galata bridge, where you can find plenty of restaurants and locals fishing at all times of the day. It's a perfect spot to take in Istanbul's busy atmosphere, or start your day of exploring the city by boat. Ferries depart regularly and take you up the Golden Horn, along the Bosphorus or across the water to the Asian side.

Moda Coastal Park

Moda Coastal Park

Moda district of Kadiköy has a certain bohemian and alternative vibe. Once the sun begins to set, locals and visitors of the area head down towards the Marmara sea. People stroll up and down the footpaths, jog, bike, pet cats, have picnics, whatever floats your boat on this grassy stretch of parkland. Vendors frequently pass by selling sunflower seeds, snacks, water, and beer.

Arter

Arter

Arter is a non-profit centre that displays modern art in a gorgeous modern building with a fabulous façade, in stark contrast with comparatively dilapidated old buildings in the area. A must for fans of contemporary art. Every single visitor is impressed by the bookstore. The art centre also has a lovely cafe with a terrace.

Süleymaniye

Süleymaniye

Süleymaniye is the largest mosque dating from 1557 and also contains the mausoleum of sultan Süleyman and his wife Roxelane. The master architect Mimar Sinan built many of Istanbul’s mosques during the 1500s and is buried next to the mosque. This is one of the best-known sights of Istanbul, and from its location on the Third Hill, it commands an extensive view of the city around the Golden Horn. If you have seen a photo of Istanbul taken from a ferry, most likely Süleymaniye is right in the middle of the composition.

SALT Beyoğlu

SALT Beyoğlu

SALT Beyoğlu is a six-story building on the central shopping İstiklal street. In this historic building you'll find selected artworks and small-scale exhibitions that are ever changing to reflect the fast-paced rhythm of the modern world. Check this art space's Walk-in Cinema, a platform for screenings, talks, workshops, and performances. While you're in the area, also check out SALT Galata, an equally wonderful sister project of SALT Beyoğlu with a cafe and a library with free Wi-Fi.

Sakip Sabanci Museum

Sakip Sabanci Museum

A private mansion with a nice garden turned into a museum, a place where you can admire works from Turkish artists created between 1850 and 1950. There are also excellent collections of calligraphy, religious and state documents, classical Turkish furniture as well as paintings of the Ottoman era. The museum is beautifully located on a hilltop, overlooking the Bosphorus.

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

This is the first private museum to organise modern and contemporary art exhibitions in the city. It was founded in 2004 and is located in an old warehouse by the harbour. Istanbul Modern Museum offers two main exhibition halls; the museum’s permanent collection is displayed on the upper floor and the temporary exhibition hall and photography gallery on the lower floor.

Hodjapasha Cultural Centre

Hodjapasha Cultural Centre

For the best local authentic events, head over to this cultural centre, housed in an old historical Turkish bath over 500 years old. It has two sections, first is an exhibition and foyer area, the other section is the performance area. This is a great place to enjoy belly dancing, whirling dervishes and other traditional dance performances with live music.

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