Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city, and it’s also one of the oldest cities in the world.

The city straddles the Bosphorus Strait and is home to about 19 million people. Which means it’s not only the biggest city in Turkey – it’s also one of the largest in the world.

Istanbul used to be known as Constantinople, after Emperor Constantine the Great, who built the city to expand the Byzantine empire. In the 1500s, it was conquered by the Ottomans, and became Istanbul.

Whether it was in the hands of the Europeans or middle eastern sultans, however, there’s been a city here for thousands of years. So, it’s only natural that there are plenty of interesting and exciting things to do and see. Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know to experience the best in this Istanbul city guide.

Istanbul City Guide for Expats

The first thing you need to know in our city guide to Istanbul, Turkey is that there are several different districts with distinct differences in the city. These are:

• The Old City or Sultanahmet, which is the oldest part of the city, where you will find most of the historical sites and attractions.
• New City, which is the central business district, and home to modern boutiques and shopping malls.
• Galata, which is a nightlife hotspot – visit this for clubs and restaurants and be sure to visit Taksim Square.
• Bosphorus, which is the neighbourhood right next to the Bosphorus Strait, where you can find restaurants, shops, parks, palaces and more.
• Princes Islands, which are nine small islands that have no cars, but lots of beautiful views and experiences.
• Asian side, which is the Islamic side of the city, on the eastern bank of the Bosphorus.
• Western suburbs, a quiet residential area of the European side of Istanbul.

Each area of the city and surrounding parts has a unique flavour, and something new and interesting to see and do. Which is not that surprising for a city that straddles the border between two continents and has thousands of years of history and culture to build on!

Istanbul has a temperate climate, which means it never gets as cold as some of the more northern parts of Europe, but there are a few cold and even snowy days in the winter. In the summer, which is when most tourists visit Turkey, the city is hot and humid.

How to Get Around Istanbul

As you can imagine from a city that is home to 19 million people, Istanbul is a very big place! So, you will need to have plans in place to get around.

One option is to rent a car, but you will need to get used to the traffic, which can be very busy at times. There are also scooters and e scooters for rent, so  if you don’t need a car and want something that’s easier to manoeuvre, this might be a good alternative.

There is also a very well-developed public transport system with trains, trams, busses and ferries, and a transit card called an Istanbul kart, which gives you access to all of them. The card is reloadable and offers discounted fares on all public transport in the city of Istanbul, so if you plan to take transit to get around, it’s definitely worth the investment.

There are many boats and water taxis that can get you from one part of the city too.

Of course, there are also metered taxis in Istanbul, as well as the local “dolmus” which are shared taxis.

Finally, there are ride sharing apps and platforms like Uber and Lyft. So, as far as the traffic and transport part of our Istanbul city guide goes, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting around the city. It’s a good idea to have a map of the city available, and to keep your cell phone charged and available for navigation though. Istanbul is a huge place, and it’s easy to get lost if you don’t know the city and are a first-time visitor.

Culture in Istanbul

Turkey has a large Islamic population, and the most recent conquerors of the country were Muslim Sultans, so you can expect to see a lot of Islamic culture in Istanbul.

However, the city also has a long history of settlement by other cultures and races, and it truly is a modern, cosmopolitan melting pot. So, while you might see some traditional practices, you will also see all the hallmarks of modern European culture.

The culture in Istanbul is a lot like the history of the city, where there is one culture overlaid over another, with some of the best parts of the older city still showing through. You can go from a completely traditional cultural experience like visiting the Hagia Sophia to shopping in a designer boutique and then taking a sunset yacht cruise, all in one day.

The people of Istanbul are usually very friendly, and because there are so many people from so many different parts of the world here, you will probably meet lots of people who are from somewhere else.

In general, people in Istanbul are much more likely to speak and understand English than they might in other parts of Turkey.

Local Travel Tips for Istanbul

One of the biggest challenges for anyone who is new to Istanbul is the sheer size of the city. Once you have a map and GPS though, you should be able to get past that problem. However, there are a few other things you should know before you travel to Istanbul. So, our Istanbul city guide top tips are:

• Be safety conscious. Istanbul has great public safety infrastructure, but like any big city, there are still some risks. Avoid out of the way places late at night, travel with friends if you can, and be aware of your surroundings.
• While Istanbul isn’t a traditional Muslim city by any means, it is still a good idea to avoid clothing that is too revealing. But most modern western clothes are perfectly acceptable unless you are visiting a religious site.
• Make sure that you have travel insurance when you’re in Istanbul. The medical system in Turkey is very good, but it can be very expensive for foreigners, so you don’t want to be stuck paying out of pocket if you need treatment!
• Get an English to Turkish dictionary or phrase book, so you can learn a few basic must know phrases before you arrive. Most people in Istanbul can speak basic English, but it never hurts to be prepared!
• Don’t book any accommodation that is near to a mosque. The call to prayer happens every day and starts very early in the morning – as soon as the sun rises. The last thing you want is to be woken up by chanting!
• Don’t book near Taksim Square either. This is one of the most vibrant places in the city, but if you want an early night, this is not the place to get it!
• Get comfortable with bargaining. Istanbul has lots of bazaars, and it’s expected that you will haggle with the stall keepers to buy the items you want.
• If you do see anyone praying while you’re out and about, don’t take pictures of them, and try not to get too close, as this could be seen as disrespectful. There are also some areas and attractions where photos are not allowed, so if you are ever in doubt, ask before you snap!
• Be sure to tip. Some countries these days include gratuities in the bill, but Turkey is not one of them. So, if you eat at a restaurant, be sure to add a tip! The standard amount is usually 10 to 20% of the bill.
• If you want to sample real Turkish street food, ask the locals where they recommend you go. Most of the best, low-cost street food in Istanbul comes from tiny, not very fancy looking places.
• Don’t drink the tap water! It has a lot of chlorine in it and is generally not great for drinking.
• Don’t engage with shoe shiners. They’re usually scammers who try to trick tourists out of their money.
• Be careful when you order coffee! If you are not used to Turkish coffee, it can come as quite a surprise!
• Ask about free attractions. There are many parks and even some historic sites that don’t charge any fees for entry. So, you can spread your sightseeing budget a little further.

There are, of course, many other things you should know about Istanbul, but this short city guide to Istanbul, Turkey should get you started on the right foot.

Local Resources

There are several tourism information offices in Istanbul, and you can find them by searching the internet for tourism offices in Istanbul.

The Government of Turkey website also has a complete list of tourism offices that you can find here.

Best Hotels in Istanbul

The good news about Istanbul, for travellers, is that this large metropolis has all kinds of accommodation on offer.

If you are traveling on a budget, you could try Airbnb, or a hostel like the family owned Avrasya Hostel in Sultanahmet. Many of these kinds of accommodations are very budget friendly, and some (like the hostel) also serve breakfast for a relatively low price.

If you have a bigger accommodation budget, you won’t be disappointed by the hotel selection in Istanbul. You can find everything from affordable chain hotels to the most luxurious suites. Here are a  few options you might want to consider:

• The Crowne Plaza in the Old City, which will put you right in the heart of the most historic part of Istanbul
• The Four Seasons Sultanahmet, located in Sultanahmet, includes breakfast, and has an on-site spa in the iconic building
• Tomtom Suites Taksim – if you want to be right in the heart of the most vibrant part of the city

There are thousands of accommodation options in Istanbul, so it would be impossible to cover them all in our Istanbul city guide. The best advice is to decide where you want to stay, and what your budget is. Then search for accommodation based on those criteria.

You can find hotels that meet nearly every need from accessibility for people with disabilities to included breakfast to family friendly options. So, no matter what you need, you can definitely find it here.

Best Restaurants in Istanbul

Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures, so it’s no surprise that the food here is amazing. You can find nearly anything you want, and everything from cheap and tasty snacks to high end fine dining. Some of the must-see eateries in our Istanbul city guide include:

• Köşkeroğlu, which serves local favourites and Mediterranean specialties
• Sait restaurant, which offers the best local seafood
• Da Mario, which serves some of the best Italian food in Istanbul
• Toro Latin Gastro Bar, which serves south American favourites from Mexico, Peru and elsewhere
• Taksim 360, which is one of the best places to dine on a terrace with a view of the city.
• Azur Yeniköy, which is a high end, fine dining seafood experience

These are just a few of the amazing restaurants you can find in Istanbul. There are cafes that specialize in light meals and breakfast, or restaurants in skyscrapers that offer amazing views of the city, and everything in between.

Again, the best option is to decide what you feel like eating, setting a budget, and trying something new. Food and dining in Istanbul are often as much of an experience as it is about eating something delicious.

There are even many options to dine on a sunset cruise, and the meal on the boat often includes a traditional Turkish show. So, you can combine multiple amazing experience into one unforgettable evening.

Things to Do

Istanbul is huge, and it’s been around for a very long time. So, it’s no surprise that there are so many things to do here! You will probably find that there are hundreds of must-see things on your itinerary when you arrive, but for our city guide to Istanbul, Turkey, we recommend the following:

• Get a Museum Pass Card – it gives you access to 12 different museums and is valid for 5 days from when you first activate it by visiting a museum – while it might not get you into all 12 museums for free, it will still save you money!
• Visit the Hagia Sophia, which is one of the most famous religious sites in Turkey
• Go underground to explore the Basilica Cistern
• Explore the Topkapi Palace and visit the Theodosian wall to see some of the long and fascinating history of Istanbul up close
• Climb the Galata tower to see the view of the city from this centuries old structure
• Go to Miniaturk to see the history of Istanbul in miniature form
• Take a boat to Princes Islands, to see the forests and mansions
• Visit the many beautiful parks in the city – and if you visit in April, be sure to go to Emirgan park for the tulip festival
• Spend a day at a traditional Turkish hammam, relaxing in the steam
• Take a cruise on the Bosphorus – there are even trips that will take you into the Black Sea!
• Visit the Grand Bazaar to shop in a unique and historic location

There are thousands of things you could do in Istanbul on any day. Activities range from the mundane, like shopping in malls, to walking tours and more. This guide to Istanbul city only includes a fraction of the things you might be able to fill your days with, but whether you love history, art, the outdoors, food, or something else, you will find it all in this amazing city.

Istanbul Tour

Because there is just so much to see in Istanbul, one of the best ways to see as much as possible is to take a guided Istanbul tour.

Make sure that you find and book your tour well in advance though. Istanbul sees lots of visitors every year, and most tours are booked weeks or even months in advance. So, if you wait until you arrive, you will probably have to find your own way around!

There are many different kinds of tours in Istanbul, including:

• Turkish food tours, where you can sample various local delicacies
• Boat tours of the Bosphorus Strait
• Walking tours of historic parts of the city
• Tours of the most famous landmarks in Sultanahmet
• Air tours to Greek and Roman ruins like Ephesus
• Day trips to Troy
• Tours of the WW1 sites of the battle at Gallipoli
• Tours of the ancient roman ruins under the modern city of Istanbul
• Hop on and off bus tours

Having an experienced tour guide to show you around Istanbul is a great way to learn more about the city in a shorter amount of time. So, if you have the opportunity to try one or more of these kinds of tours, it’s definitely highly recommended.

FAQ

How do I pay for things in Istanbul?

In most bigger bars, restaurants, stores, and hotels, you won’t have any problem using a major credit card. But if you plan to take any tours, visit markets, or take public transport or taxis, you will need to have cash on hand as well. It’s a good idea to keep cash in a cross-body bag or money belt, because there are still some opportunistic pickpockets in some parts of the city.

Which airport should I fly to to get to Istanbul?

Istanbul has two functioning airports: the larger Istanbul Airport on the European side of the city and the smaller Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side. Most international flights go to the larger airport.

What kind of weather should I be prepared for?

If you visit Istanbul in the summer, the weather is usually hot and humid – but this is a coastal city, so that can change rapidly and unexpectedly. So, it’s a good idea to dress in layers, so you can adjust as necessary. In the winter, Istanbul can get quite cold and even sees some occasional snow. So, you will need to have warmer clothes with you if you visit in the winter.

Is it safe to eat street food?

In most cases, street food and food from small cafes is perfectly fine to eat – especially if they are very busy. However, there are some places where the hygiene standards aren’t where they should be, and some do serve meats that we wouldn’t ordinarily eat. So, exercise some caution when you’re out.

How long does it take to see Istanbul?

Istanbul is an enormous place, and to see it all, you’d have to live there for many years. It’s a good idea to do some research and choose the things you most want to see if you are only visiting for a short time.

Do I need a visa to visit Istanbul?

Turkey has visa free travel arrangements with some countries, so if you’re from one of those countries, you won’t need a visa for a short-term visit. Citizens of some countries that do need visas can apply for them on arrival. But if you want to work in Istanbul or stay for longer than a few months, you will need to apply for a longer-term permit like a work permit or residency permit.

What’s the cheapest way to use my cell phone in Istanbul?

Roaming charges will cost a lot, even if you’re just visiting Istanbul for a short while. It’s a lot cheaper to buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive at the airport and let everyone who needs to know your number what it is. This will save you money on calls and texts in Turkey, and give you access to mobile data and internet.