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Popular Flight Deals to Istanbul

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Travel to Istanbul

Discover Istanbul

Istanbul is quite simply one of the world's great cities, unique in the sense that it straddles two continents. Best of all, it is a year-round destination. Its charm lies in the old quarter, with its cobbled streets, quaint old wooden houses and charming domes and minarets. The blue waters of the Sea of Marmara in the south are soothing and tranquil. To the north, across the Golden Horn are the bright lights of Beyoğlu - Istanbul's centre of entertainment and nightlife. This is an ancient city with a history dating back from the Greeks to the Ottoman Turks.

You can visit in spring and early autumn to enjoy sunny days and discover this amazing city on foot. Or go in summer; it can get warm but it is a good time to enjoy the sea breeze from the Bosphorus. December through to mid-March brings cold winds from the Black Sea, but sunny spells will come as a surprise. No matter what time of year you come to Istanbul, there are historical sites, attractions and plenty of bazaars to keep you entertained and fascinated.

Essential Facts

Time/Date
Time Zone
+03:00
Language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish Lira
Electricity
230v/50Hz
Best Time To Visit
August

Things To Do

Archaeology Museum

The museum is one of Istanbul's much-treasured attractions. Here you can follow the history of the city exhibit, wonder at the carvings portraying Alexander the Great in battle or look in awe at the superb collection of Ottoman-era tiles.

Blue Mosque

Get your camera out… this is every tourist's wish, with its domes and half-domes, held together by six magnificent minarets. The artistic interior glows with blue Iznik tiles from where the mosque gets its name.

Hagia Sophia

Built over a 1000 years before the Blue Mosque, this is one of the most prestigious religious buildings in the world. Popularly known as the Aya Sofya (Church of the Holy Wisdom) this giant domed basilica was the frontrunner for several Ottoman-era mosques.

Topkapi Palace

This was the court of the Ottoman empire between the 15th and 19th centuries and the topic of several colourful stories. A visit to this unique place with its luxurious pavilion and sprawling harem will give you a hint of their fascinating past.

Shopping

Dating back to the 15th century, and the venue of nearly 4,000 shops, the bustling Grand Bazaar is the best place for visitors to start their shopping tour. The bazaar has an abundance of oriental shops selling practically everything from Turkish carpets, traditional gold jewellery through to local crafts.

If you're a carpet enthusiast head for Sultanahmet. Şişko Osman's in the Grand Bazaar is a renowned shop with a wide range of quality flat-weaves and tufted carpets. Or pick up a 'pestemel' a traditional yet affordable Turkish bath towel. They work wonderfully as wraps, throws or beach towels.

Also worth exploring is the Spice Bazaar, down on the Golden Horn, while a popular shopping destination for locals is Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu. It has both local and international stores. The city has its fair share of malls -- the most popular being Kanyon in Levent, the Zorlu Centre and City's Mall in the upmarket Nişantaşı suburb.

Food And Drink

Istanbul boasts some delectable dining options -- from traditional Ottoman restaurants to authentic taverns in the Old City, next to Sultanahmet and Kariye Museum.

There's food for every budget and occasion, made more appetising with the use of fresh seasonal ingredients. The cooks' skills at grilling meat and fish goes back for centuries. Be it fresh bluefish, lamb kebabs, meze (starters) or pistachio-filled baklava, there are dishes to suit every taste.

Istanbul caters to everybody. You can dine in a classy rooftop restaurant, or relish a doner kebab from a modest street vendor. Kebabs are the best option for fast and cheap food. The entrance to Istiklal Street is lined with doner restaurants, most open around the clock. You'll find the usual international brands throughout the city if you just want a quick burger, but it's worth hunting out the local vendors in the bazaars for a more authentic taste of Turkey.

Things To Know

Visa Requirements

  • Visa are not required for some nationalities.
  • Most other nationalities can obtain a 90-day visa electronically at https://www.evisa.gov.tr. The full list of countries is listed there.
  • Your passport must have at least six months' validity remaining, or you may not be admitted into Turkey.
  • See the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mfa.gov.tr) for the latest information

Getting around

  • The ferry is a pleasant way to get around town, up and down the Golden Horn and Bosporus. The ferries are efficient and affordable.
  • Take the bus which is quite a good service although be prepared for traffic congestion. You will need an İstanbulkart to travel on one.
  • The most useful bus lines for travellers are those running along both sides of the Bosporus and the Golden Horn.
  • If you're looking for adventure hop aboard a 'dolmuş' or shared minibus. You'll see them at specified stops and they are usually packed and follow a fixed route.
  • There are two funicular railways and two cable cars in the city. All are short trips and İstanbulkarts can be used.
  • The other option is the Metro service, which depart every five minutes between 6am and midnight. One line connects Yenikapı with the airport whilst the other connects Yenikapı with Taksim.
  • Istanbul is full of yellow taxis but make sure you agree on rates before you hop in.
  • The tramvay (tramway) service is excellent and runs from Bagcılar, in the city's west, to Zeytinburnu. This connects you to the metro from the airport onwards to Sultanahmet and Eminonu