Overview
Istanbul spans two continents and 2,700 years - the only city in the world you can say that about. It rewards slow, layered visits over any 'top 10' approach.
Best Time To Visit
April to June and September to October. Summers are hot; winters mild but grey.
Popular Attractions
- Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, back-to-back
- The Basilica Cistern
- A ferry up the Bosphorus
- Kadıköy's food streets
- Süleymaniye Mosque for the view
Transportation
Get an İstanbulkart - works on trams, ferries, metro, buses. Taxis are metered but confirm. Traffic is heavy; plan around it.
Accommodation
Sultanahmet for old-city sightseeing; Beyoğlu for nightlife and cafés; Kadıköy on the Asian side for local life.
Budget
$70-$130 per person per day.
Food
Breakfast (kahvaltı) is the meal to prioritize. Meyhane (tavern) dinners are the great local experience.
Culture
Modest dress at mosques; scarves for women, shoulders covered. Bargaining expected at the Grand Bazaar, not at shops with fixed prices.
Safety
Safe overall. Standard big-city awareness; watch for shoeshine and 'friendly local' scams around Taksim.
Practical Tips
- Museum Pass Istanbul saves money and queues
- Ferry rides are transport and sightseeing at once
- Cash still useful at small vendors