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Türkiye

Istanbul travel guide

Where Europe meets Asia - imperial mosques, Ottoman palaces, the Bosphorus and the world's oldest covered market.

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Photo: Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Best time to visit
April-June and September-November
Flight from the Gulf
About 4 h from Riyadh, 4.5-5 h from Dubai and Doha
Airport
Istanbul Airport (IST), 45-60 min to the centre; Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side
Time difference
Same time as Riyadh, 1 h behind Dubai
Currency
Turkish lira (TRY); cards accepted almost everywhere
Language
Turkish
Visa
Visa-free or e-Visa depending on your passport - we can help

Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world: the capital of the Ottoman Empire for almost five centuries, spread across two continents on both sides of the Bosphorus. For Gulf travellers it feels familiar and exciting at the same time – the call to prayer from hundreds of minarets, halal food everywhere, and a short flight from home.

Plan four to five days. The old city of Sultanahmet holds Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar, all within walking distance. Keep one day for a Bosphorus cruise and the palaces on its shore, one for the Galata district and the shops of Nişantaşı, and one for the Princes’ Islands or the Asian side.

Spring (April-May) is the most beautiful season, when the city is full of tulips. Summer is warm and busy; autumn is mild and calmer.

Things to do in Istanbul

The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.

Built in 537 and converted to a mosque by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453, its giant dome has amazed visitors for fifteen centuries. Pray in the…

1 hour

The six-minaret mosque of Sultan Ahmed I, finished in 1617, with more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles inside. Facing Hagia Sophia across a beautiful garden square.

45 minutes

The palace of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Do not miss the Harem, the Treasury with the Spoonmaker's Diamond, and the Holy Relics room with…

3 hours

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with over 60 streets of carpets, gold, lamps and leather. Continue downhill to the Spice…

Half day

Sail between Europe and Asia past palaces, wooden mansions (yalı), fortresses and the great bridges. Public ferries are cheap; a private yacht with lunch is perfect…

2-3 hours

The dazzling 19th-century palace on the Bosphorus, with crystal staircases and the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier. Visits are guided and timed.

2 hours

Hotels in Istanbul

Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.

Summary

Istanbul ★★★★★

Beşiktaş, on the Bosphorus

Infinity pool on the Bosphorus · Palace suites

Best priceon request
Summary

Istanbul ★★★★★

Sultanahmet

Walk to Hagia Sophia · Garden courtyard

Best priceon request
Summary

Istanbul ★★★★★

Zorlu Center, Beşiktaş

Connected to Zorlu mall · Very large rooms

Best priceon request
Summary

Istanbul ★★★★★

Beşiktaş waterfront

Bosphorus views · Indoor pool

Best priceon request

All hotels in Istanbul

Tours, packages and transfers in Istanbul

Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.

Where to stay in Istanbul

SultanahmetThe old city, with the great monuments at your door. Charming boutique hotels; quieter in the evening.
Beşiktaş and the BosphorusLuxury hotels on the water, palaces and the best views. Our first choice for families.
Nişantaşı and ŞişliElegant shopping streets, cafés and big shopping centres such as Zorlu and İstinye Park nearby.
Taksim and GalataLively and central, with İstiklal Avenue and the Galata Tower. Busy until late at night.

Halal food and prayer

Hamdi Restaurant Halal Kebabs from southeast Türkiye · Eminönü, near the Spice Bazaar Famous for pistachio kebab, lahmacun and baklava, with a terrace looking over the Golden Horn and the Galata Tower. Book a terrace…
Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta Halal Turkish meatballs · Divan Yolu, Sultanahmet Serving the same simple menu of grilled köfte, white bean salad and semolina helva since 1920. Quick and perfect after the Blue…
Karaköy Güllüoğlu Halal Baklava · Karaköy The most famous baklava house in Istanbul, with dozens of kinds of baklava and börek. Go hungry - and take a box…

Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.

Tips for your trip to Istanbul

  1. Traffic is heavy. Plan one area per day and use the tram, the ferries or a private driver.
  2. Mosques are closed to visitors during prayer times. Women need a headscarf; long skirts and covers are provided at the entrance.
  3. Hagia Sophia now has a separate entrance and ticket for foreign visitors to the upper galleries; the prayer area is for worshippers.
  4. Bargain politely in the Grand Bazaar - the first price is never the final price.
  5. Take an evening Bosphorus cruise to see the palaces and bridges lit up.
  6. Use only official yellow taxis with a meter, or a car with driver booked in advance.

Questions

How many days do we need in Istanbul?

Four or five days for the main sights, with a relaxed pace.

Do we need a visa for Türkiye?

It depends on your passport. Many Gulf passports can enter without a visa; others apply for an official e-Visa online. Our visa centre can help.

Is Istanbul good for children?

Yes - the ferries, Miniatürk, the aquarium, Isfanbul theme park and the Princes' Islands are favourites.

Can you arrange a trip to Bursa or Sapanca?

Yes. Day trips and nights in Bursa, Sapanca and Uludağ with a private driver are very popular with Gulf families.

Read before you go to Istanbul

Plan your trip to Istanbul with us

Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.

  • Reply within a few hours
  • Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
  • Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Travel dates
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Photo credits

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.