Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and its main economic and cultural centre, with the Bosphorus running between its European and Asian sides.

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Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and its main economic and cultural centre. It sits on two continents: about two-thirds of its residents live on the European side of the Bosphorus, and the rest on the Asian side. The city was the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar all sit within the historic core.

Sultanahmet keeps the old sights within walking distance. Beyoğlu has Istiklal Avenue and its shops and restaurants, and Kadıköy on the Asian side has shopping streets and seaside areas. Ferries link the two shores, and the Princes' Islands are reached by sea. Summers are warm and can feel humid, with average daytime highs around 28 °C. Winters are cold and rainy, with daytime temperatures of roughly 5 to 10 °C.

Istanbul in five

Check whether you need an e-VisaSome passports enter visa-free, others need an e-Visa before the flight. Apply only on the official site, well before you travel.Türkiye e-Visa
Plan the mosques around prayer timesHagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are working mosques and close to visitors during prayers. Cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair.
Buy an IstanbulkartThe rechargeable card works on metro, trams, buses, the Marmaray and ferries. One card can pay for several people.
Check closing daysThe palaces close one day a week: Topkapı on Tuesdays and Dolmabahçe on Mondays. Confirm hours on the official sites before ordering your days.
Allow an hour from the airportIstanbul Airport is far north of the center. The M11 metro runs to Gayrettepe, where you change for the old city, and Havaist buses run to Taksim and other districts.

Things to do in Istanbul

See all attractions in Istanbul

Church · IstanbulEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Mosque · IstanbulYeni MosqueDress respectfully: avoid shorts and bare arms, and women should cover their hair. Scarves are available to borrow at the entrance.

Mosque · IstanbulRustem Pasha MosqueLook for the entrance above the shops; it can be hard to spot from the market street.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to IstanbulPut the places you like in Istanbul on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Istanbul (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), about 1 hour to the center
Getting there: Flights from most of the world; high-speed trains from Ankara
Getting around: Trams, metro, ferries and the Marmaray; use an Istanbulkart
Best base: Sultanahmet for sights, Karaköy or Beyoğlu for evenings
Time needed: 3–4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low6°Cold, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Cold, wet
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Cool
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Tulip festival
MayClear8 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Warm, clear
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Hot, busy
JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hot, humid
AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hottest
SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm, calmer
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Mild
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Cool, rain
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low9°Cold, wet

Average daily high and low in Istanbul, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Feb Baklahorani · Mar Baklahorani · Jun Istanbul International Music Festival

Right now in Istanbul

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 89%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 93%

Istanbul

11:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today21°15°93%Monday: Rain. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 93%.
Tue19°15°83%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 83%.
Wed16°13°90%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 90%.
Thu13°10°83%Thursday: Rain. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 83%.
Fri11°8°9%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 9%.
Sat12°7°10%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun13°6°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 11:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY

Amount

Converted to

TRY · Turkish Lira

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Istanbul

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarBaklahoraniIstanbul
JunIstanbul International Music FestivalIstanbul

Day trips by train

Princes' Islandsabout 1.5 hours by ferryCar-free islands with wooden mansions and pine woods.
Bosphorus cruisea half day by public ferryPalaces, fortresses and villages up to the Black Sea mouth.
Bursaabout 2 hours by ferry and busThe first Ottoman capital, with mosques, silk markets and hot springs.Read the guide

Before you go to Istanbul

Bosphorus and old city toursPalaces and ferries with a guideCompare tours

Timed entry for the big sightsHagia Sophia area, Topkapı, cisternsBook timed entry

eSIM for IstanbulMaps for ferries and metro linesRead the guide

Travel insurance for TürkiyeMedical cover and theft in busy crowdsRead the guide

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Rules for Istanbul, checked

Visa rules depend on your passport. Check the official e-Visa site before you book.Source
Remove your shoes at mosques and cover your shoulders and knees. Women cover their hair inside mosques. Some mosques close to visitors during prayer times.
Istanbul Kart is used on the metro, tram and most city ferries. Buy it and top it up at stations before you travel.
The emergency number is 112 across Turkey. Istanbul lies near the North Anatolian Fault, so note the exits of your hotel on arrival.