Two continents, one skyline of domes and minarets.
Overview · IST
Best timeApr–May, Sep–Nov
Time needed3–4 days
Main airportIstanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul is huge, but the classic sights are packed into the old city of Sultanahmet. Lines there are long, and prices for foreign visitors have gone up.
Plan three or four days: the old city, the bazaars, a Bosphorus cruise and an evening across the Galata Bridge.
Must-book in Istanbul
You can wander Istanbul for free. These five you'll end up paying for, so book them before you fly.
01
Must-book · Tickets€€from €25
Hagia Sophia
Nearly 1,500 years of history under one dome.
Our tip: Foreign visitors pay and enter by the upper gallery. Closed to visitors at prayer times.
In Istanbul, where you sleep decides how much of the city you see on foot. These are the areas we recommend, and who each one suits.
€€€€€€ Price levels compare the areas within this city.
01
Sultanahmet €€ Mid-range prices
Best for: First-timers
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı on foot. Quiet at night, and very touristy.
02
Galata & Karaköy €€€ Higher prices
Best for: Couples and nightlife
Rooftops, design hotels and restaurants on the European side, across the Golden Horn.
03
Kadıköy € Lower prices
Best for: Repeat visitors and food lovers
The lively Asian side, a short ferry from the old city. Local, cheaper and great for eating.
Hotel shortlists
Three picks per question, chosen with our selection criteria, with price ranges and what nobody tells you.
The 3 best hotels in SultanahmetComing soon
The 3 best luxury hotels on the BosphorusComing soon
The 3 best value hotels in GalataComing soon
Airport to city
01
Havaist airport bus ≈ 60–90 min
About 60–90 min to Sultanahmet or Taksim
Cheap and comfortable, but traffic is unpredictable.
02
Metro M11 + connections ≈ 60 min
About 60 min to the centre
Avoids traffic; needs one or two changes.
03
Private transfer ≈ 45–75 min
About 45–75 min
Strongly recommended for a first visit: no haggling, fixed price.
Frequently asked questions
The 10 questions everyone asks before going, answered straight.
01Is Istanbul safe for tourists?
Yes, the tourist areas of Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, Galata, Kadıköy) are generally safe. Watch out for classic scams: the shoe-shiner who drops his brush, friendly strangers inviting you for a drink around Taksim, and taxis without a meter (use an app). Pickpockets work the trams and bazaars, and it's wise to avoid demonstrations.
02When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
April and May (tulip season) and September to November are the best months. Summer is hot, humid and very crowded. Winter is cold and rainy, sometimes with snow.
03What language is spoken in Istanbul?
Turkish. English is spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas, and bazaar sellers speak many languages, Spanish included. "Teşekkürler" means thank you.
04How many days do you need in Istanbul?
Three to four days is ideal for the old city, the bazaars and the Bosphorus. With more time, add the Princes' Islands, Bursa or a flight to Cappadocia.
05What are the top 10 attractions in Istanbul?
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Topkapı Palace
Basilica Cistern
Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
Galata Tower
Bosphorus cruise
Süleymaniye Mosque
Istiklal Avenue and Taksim
06Which of these attractions can you visit for free?
The Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque are free to visit outside prayer times (dress modestly; women cover their hair). The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar are free to enter, as are Istiklal Avenue, the Galata Bridge with its fishermen, Sultanahmet Square and the Hippodrome, Gülhane Park and Ortaköy. Hagia Sophia now charges foreign visitors, and Topkapı, the Cistern and Galata Tower are paid.
07Which museums are worth visiting in Istanbul?
Topkapı Palace and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums are essential. Add the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus, Istanbul Modern and the Pera Museum.
08What are the locals like in Istanbul?
Turks are very hospitable: shopkeepers often offer tea, with no obligation to buy. Bargaining is expected in the bazaars. In mosques, take your shoes off and dress modestly. Tipping 5–10% in restaurants is customary.
09What is the typical food in Istanbul?
Try kebabs (Adana, İskender, döner), meze, balık ekmek (fish sandwich) by the Galata Bridge, simit, lahmacun, pide and a full Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı). For dessert, baklava, künefe and Turkish delight. To drink, çay (tea), Turkish coffee, ayran or rakı.
10Where should you stay in Istanbul?
Sultanahmet puts you next to the great monuments, at mid-range prices. Galata and Karaköy are trendy, with restaurants and nightlife, at higher prices. Kadıköy, on the Asian side, is local and cheaper, a short ferry ride away.
Staying connected
An eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone before you fly. No plastic card, no shop at the airport: you land, switch it on and you're online.
Low cost: plans for a few days usually cost far less than roaming
Coverage in every destination on tips2trip, and worldwide
Data from the moment you land: maps, ride apps and your bookings
Book your airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-airport transfers in advance and forget about the taxi queue, the bargaining and the 'where do we go now?'. When you walk out of arrivals, someone is already waiting with a sign with your name on it, helps you with the bags and takes you straight to the door.
Fixed price, agreed before you travel
Flight tracking: they wait if you're delayed
Child seats and vans for families or groups on request
