A first timer’s guide to Istanbul..
Spread across two continents, Istanbul is a city of layers and contrasts. With historical sights like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace brushing up against buzzing bars and lively cafes, with Ottoman-era mosques a short walk from contemporary art museums and galleries, with traditional carpet shops around the corner from trendy boutiques, Istanbul is a city of old and new coexisting.
It is the cultural capital of the country, with a plethora of independent galleries, restaurants and shops, as well as it’s transit hub, with flights going all over Turkey and all over the world.
It has many diverse neighbourhoods, each with it’s own distinct identity and vibe, and it's easy to spend weeks in Istanbul without ever seeing everything. But that is what makes it so fascinating—there will always be something calling you back for more.
Best Time to Go
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the perfect times to visit Istanbul, when the weather is bright and mild. During the month of April is the city-wide Tulip Festival, when the parks and green spaces in the city are bedazzled with the colorful bulbs.
In the summer, the city becomes sticky and very hot, and most residents flee to the beaches in the south as soon as they can, but the streets are alive all night when the air cools off a little. Winter is gray and rainy, showing Istanbul at its most moody and evocative.
Things to Know
The main language in Istanbul is Turkish, though with a large international presence in the city, don't be surprised to hear chatter in English or Arabic or Farsi as you explore. Turkish people are generally quite helpful, even if you don't speak any Turkish, and shop owners (especially in Sultanahmet, the historic center) will often invite you to sit down and share a çay, a tiny tulip-shaped cup of strong black tea.
Personal space is often a luxury in this crowded city, so don't be surprised if you feel someone is standing too close to you as you wait for a bus or in a line—it's normal here.
Don't mistake the water that bisects the city for a river. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Sea of Marmara (and, by extension, the Mediterranean) with the Black Sea, and is therefore a major global shipping route. It's not unusual to see massive container ships floating by your commuter ferry.
While Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, the capital city is actually Ankara, in central Anatolia. But the palaces that dot the Bosphorus, left over from Istanbul's status as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, might make you think otherwise.
How to Get Around
Intricate interlocking transportations—both official and informal—make it easy to navigate around Istanbul. There are multiple metro lines with clear signage and modern cars that connect to an above-ground tram line and two funiculars.
The Marmaray, a cross-continent metro line that passes under the Bosphorus Strait, connects the metro system on the European and Asian sides of the city, and has recently expanded to run all the way into the suburbs on both sides of the city. Otherwise, the best way to cross from Europe to Asia and back is by ferry, with multiple ferry lines running between stations on a regular schedule all throughout the day.
The gaps are filled by city buses, which are paid for by the same IstanbulKart that gets you onto the metro, Marmaray, and ferries.
And if there is no bus that runs to your destination, there might be a dolmuş, a yellow van that runs on a fixed route but stops whenever a passenger requests it and leaves whenever the van is full. There are also light blue minibuses that run on various routes throughout the city — both are paid in cash, with the price depending on the distance you go.
Where To Stay
From Ottoman palaces to sleek contemporary addresses, in Istanbul there’s a corner for everything — wildly diverse as the city itself. Below are some of the best places to stay in Istanbul...
-
Housed in an ornate former Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, the Ciragan Palace is the ultimate luxurious hotel in Istanbul.
The Ciragan boasts an outdoor infinity pool, an exquisite spa with a Turkish hamam, and high-end restaurants. If you want to experience Istanbul like Ottoman royalty, the Ciragan is the place to do it.
Ciragan Caddesi 32
34349 Istanbul
-
Located in the heart of Beyoğlu, Istanbul's nightlife and entertainment district, the Corinne Hotel is an ideal base to experience the energy of the city.
The boutique hotel is in a lovingly restored late-Ottoman neoclassical building, with trendy and contemporary amenities alongside a winding marble staircase.
Kuloğlu Mah., Turnacıbaşı Caddesi 41
34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
-
Nestled in the heart of Sultanahmet, Sirkeci Mansion is walking distance from the Hagia Sophia, Gulhane Park, and Topkapi Palace.
The hotel contains 32 spacious rooms, a spa, and an on-site restaurant. Relax at the hotel's Turkish hamam, or head up to the hotel's rooftop, with its sweeping views of the old city.
Taya Hatun Sokak 5
34120 Sirkeci/Istanbul
-
Modern luxury and Turkish history entwine at the Pera Palace hotel, a grand Art Nouveau beauty that was built for travelers on the Orient Express and over the years has hosted illustrious guests that include Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, and Queen Elizabeth II.
Mesrutiyet Caddesi 52
34430 Tepebasi / Istanbul
-
Located in a reappropriated late-Ottoman-era bank in the Karakoy neighborhood, The Bank Hotel is a trendy boutique hotel located between the historic peninsula and the nightlife of Istiklal Caddesi.
The eclectic design mixes the modern and the historic bones of the building throughout the hotel's 62 rooms. The restaurant on the rooftop offers splendid views of the city.
Azapkapı, Bankalar Caddesi 5/1
34421 Beyoğlu / İstanbul
While Istanbul's hotels are well known for their top-notch service, sometimes you'll long for the comfort of your own home while travelling.
That's where the city's best Airbnbs come in. With penthouses and sea view apartments dotted around the city, you are bound to find something that is within your budget, desired area and interior taste.
Things to Do
Istanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri
Visit the Istanbul Archaeology Museums - a group of three archaeological museums located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul, near Gülhane Park and Topkapı Palace. These museums house over one million objects from nearly all periods and civilizations in world history.
Hagia Sophia
Visit the Hagia Sophia, a building that has held many identities: from a Byzantine church to an Ottoman mosque to a secular museum, and now back to a mosque again. While some of the famous mosaics and frescoes are covered, many are still visible.
Bosphorus Cruise
Sail along the Bosphorus Strait, which separates the European and Asian sides of the city. Taking in some of the most famous historic architecture, castles and notable landmarks on the European and Asian coasts — including the Golden Horn, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Ortaköy Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Topkapi Palace
Construction on Topkapi Palace began in 1453, when the Ottomans took Constantinople, and was the primary seat of imperial power for nearly four hundred years.
Galata Tower
Built by the Genoese in the 14th century, Galata Tower is an iconic part of the Istanbul skyline. Climb to the top for some of the best views of the city—especially at sunset.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, with its intricate tiles, massive dome, and sweeping view of the city from its courtyard, Suleymaniye is a gem among Istanbul's imperial mosques.
