Istanbul
Turkey · Country profile
Istanbul is the rare city that straddles two continents — Europe on one side of the Bosphorus, Asia on the other — and its grand mosques, bazaars and imperial palaces bear witness to centuries as a crossroads of empires. The Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace anchor the old quarter, while the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar hum with colour and scent. Ferries across the strait reveal quieter, more local neighbourhoods, and the city’s food culture — from breakfast to kebaps to sweet baklava — is legendary. A week barely scratches the surface of this vast, layered city.
About Istanbul
Istanbul is a city in Turkey. The city's documented population is around 15,754,053 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY) and Turkish is spoken; the dialling code is +90. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Istanbul Airport.
Two Continents, Two Very Different Moods
Istanbul straddles two continents and two very different moods. The historic Sultanahmet quarter holds the headline mosques and palaces, while the far larger Beyoğlu and Kadıköy districts carry modern life, food and nightlife. You will fly into a huge airport well outside the city and rely on a combination of rail, metro and ferry to get around a genuinely sprawling metropolis. Traffic is heavy and the city is enormous, so you will spend less time at sights and more moving between them than in a compact European capital. It repays patience rather than a checklist.
Mosque Queues, Ferry Timetables and the Summer Crowds
The Hagia Sophia and the big mosques draw long queues — arrive early, dress modestly and be ready to take your shoes off. The trams and ferries are the efficient backbone of tourist travel, and an Istanbulkart covers them. The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are experiences in themselves, but haggling and buyer-beware apply. Summer is hot and busy; spring and autumn are the calmest. Card acceptance is widespread but smaller cafés and taxi drivers prefer cash, so keep liras handy. Traffic can add huge time to any cross-city trip, so factor it in.
Bosphorus Ferries, Haggling and the Quieter Asian Side
Ferries across the Bosphorus are cheap, scenic and a genuine way to see the city rather than a tourist ride — the Üsküdar and Kadıköy sides are quieter and worth an afternoon. The tram in the tourist core is fast but crowded. Tipping is expected, and taxi drivers may negotiate or quote flat fares, so agree before you set off. Learn that mosques close to visitors around prayer times. Breakfast is a proper meal here and not to be skipped. The Asian side has some of the best food and least crowds. English is patchier outside the tourist core, so a translation app helps.
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- Country
- Turkey
- Population
- 15,754,053
- Coordinates
- 41.2608, 28.7422
- Capital
- Ankara
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Languages
- Turkish
- Calling code
- +90
- Country code
- TR
Entry requirements for Turkey
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Turkey for tourism.
Getting to Istanbul
Airports we list for Istanbul:
Cities in Turkey
Other cities we cover in Turkey:
Frequently asked questions
Is Istanbul the capital of Turkey?
No — the capital of Turkey is Ankara.
What currency do I need in Istanbul?
The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Languages spoken in Turkey include Turkish.
What is the dialling code for Turkey?
The international dialling code for Turkey is +90.
Which airport should I fly into for Istanbul?
Istanbul Airport (IST) is the airport we list for Istanbul.
Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Morocco, Russia, Ukraine and United States currently enter Turkey visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Istanbul? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.