Cidade Turismo
Turkey
Istanbul

Istambul · Turkey

Istanbul

Between Europe and Asia, Hagia Sophia, Ottoman palaces, bazaars and the Bosphorus organize the first trip to Turkey’s largest city.

Istambul

In the photo: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Istanbul is the gateway for many routes through Turkey and spans two continents. The Bosphorus separates European Thrace from Asian Anatolia, while the Golden Horn divides parts of the European shore. Planning visits by neighborhood matters more than packing many tickets into the same day.

Sultanahmet brings together Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı and the Basilica Cistern. Elsewhere in the old center are the Grand Bazaar and Süleymaniye. Across the Golden Horn, Galata and İstiklal Caddesi form a walking axis that can take another day.

Water also shapes the experience: ferries link European and Asian neighborhoods, and Bosphorus tours show the palaces and hillsides. Büyükada, in the Princes’ Islands, deserves a separate day.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Istambul, Ilhas dos Príncipes (Büyükada).

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Istanbul is
Ilhas dos Príncipes (Büyükada)Istambul

Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Istanbul

✈ İstanbul Havalimanı (IST), in Arnavutköy · 45 km to Istambul

✈ İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı (SAW), in Pendik · 41 km to Istambul

Istanbul has IST on the European side and SAW on the Asian side. Both have city connections; choose your arrival considering also the neighborhood of your accommodation and transfer time.

Suggested arrival point: Istambul

The local experience

Things to do in Istanbul

Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi
Istambul · Istambul · Mosque

Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi

The former basilica of Hagia Sophia brings together the great Byzantine dome, Christian mosaics and elements of Islamic worship in Sultanahmet.

Büyükada
Ilhas dos Príncipes (Büyükada) · Istambul · Island

Büyükada

Wooden houses, tree-lined paths and the climb to Aya Yorgi on the largest of the Princes’ Islands.

Sultanahmet Camii
Istambul · Istambul · Mosque

Sultanahmet Camii

The Blue Mosque, with six minarets and tile panels, together with Hagia Sophia forms the main monumental ensemble of Sultanahmet.

Topkapı Sarayı
Istambul · Istambul · Palace

Topkapı Sarayı

Courtyards, kitchens, collections and the harem of the former sultans’ palace, on the tip of the historic peninsula.

See 12 more places in Istanbul
Yerebatan Sarnıcı
Istambul · Istambul · Monument

Yerebatan Sarnıcı

Byzantine underground cistern with reused columns and two sculpted bases featuring Medusa heads.

Kapalıçarşı
Istambul · Istambul · Historic market

Kapalıçarşı

Covered streets, courtyards and historic commercial cores make up the Grand Bazaar, between Beyazıt and Nuruosmaniye.

Süleymaniye Camii
Istambul · Istambul · Mosque

Süleymaniye Camii

Sinan’s complex dominates a hill above the Golden Horn, with courtyards, a garden and Suleiman’s mosque.

Galata Kulesi
Istambul · Istambul · Viewpoint

Galata Kulesi

Medieval-origin tower atop Galata, with views over the Golden Horn and the historic peninsula.

Dolmabahçe Sarayı
Istambul · Istambul · Palace

Dolmabahçe Sarayı

Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus, with ceremonial interiors, gardens and separate visiting sections.

İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri
Istambul · Istambul · Museum

İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri

Archaeology collections next to Gülhane, with sarcophagi, sculptures and objects from different regions of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Kariye Camii
Istambul · Istambul · Mosque

Kariye Camii

Former Church of Chora, known for its cycles of Byzantine mosaics and paintings, in the Edirnekapı neighborhood.

İstanbul Boğazı
Istambul · Istambul · Landscape

İstanbul Boğazı

The strait between Europe and Asia can be seen from ferries and boat tours, amid palaces, waterfront neighborhoods and bridges.

Beylerbeyi Sarayı
Istambul · Istambul · Palace

Beylerbeyi Sarayı

Ottoman summer residence on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, with reception halls and gardens by the water.

İstiklal Caddesi
Istambul · Istambul · Urban ensemble

İstiklal Caddesi

Pedestrian street in Beyoğlu, with shopping arcades, historic buildings and a link between Taksim and the Tünel area.

Mısır Çarşısı
Istambul · Istambul · Historic market

Mısır Çarşısı

The Spice Market occupies a covered complex in Eminönü, close to the Golden Horn and the piers.

Kız Kulesi
Istambul · Istambul · Historic tower

Kız Kulesi

Tower on a small islet off Üsküdar, near the Asian shore of the Bosphorus.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

April to June and September to October usually have milder temperatures. July and August bring more heat; from November to March it rains and is colder more often. Summer days are longer than winter days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four to six days, depending on interest in museums and the Asian shore. Reserve one of those days for the Princes’ Islands if you want to include them without cramming Sultanahmet.

Which city to stay in

Sultanahmet brings the monuments of the historic peninsula closer. Sirkeci facilitates tram, train and the pier. Karaköy and Galata provide access to Beyoğlu, with hills; Taksim expands transport options. On the Asian shore, Kadıköy and Üsküdar favor a neighborhood experience, but you must consider the crossings.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Istanbul

What is the best base for visiting Istanbul’s monuments?

Sultanahmet and Sirkeci reduce transfers to the historic peninsula; Galata and Karaköy bring you closer to Beyoğlu.

Is it worth reserving a day for the Asian side?

Yes. The crossing can be combined with the waterfront and Beylerbeyi, without trying to fit everything between two European tickets.

When is it usually more pleasant to walk in Istanbul?

In spring, from April to June, and in early autumn, from September to October, temperatures tend to be milder.

Do the Princes’ Islands fit into a first trip?

With five or six days, it is possible to set aside a day for Büyükada without cutting into the main historic sites.

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