Istanbul

There’s nowhere in the world quite like Istanbul. Spanning two continents and bisected by the Bosphorus Strait, a major international waterway, Istanbul can feel like the center of the world. It’s a city where empires rose and fell, and the layers of all that history are still visible, coexisting with a vibrant, energetically modern metropolis. Istanbul’s skyline is punctuated with the minarets of 16th century mosques, the distinct pink walls of the revered and controversial Hagia Sophia (a church turned mosque turned museum, turned mosque), and the cranes constructing new buildings throughout the city. Whether you want to delve deep into Ottoman architecture, Byzantine history, or the expansive dining scene, there’s something in Istanbul for you.

"If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital."
– Napoleon Bonaparte

Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s historic peninsula, brims with cisterns, mosques, churches, castles, and fortifications, while a short distance away, the Beyoglu district buzzes with cafes, galleries, and restaurants. Walking through these European-side neighborhoods in Istanbul gives you a sense of the contrasts that coexist in the city. You can spend days exploring the city’s multifaceted street food scene, or take ferries to the Princes Islands that sit off the coast of the Asian side of the city. Istanbul is a city with many stories to tell.

Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Istanbul

Spend some time in Istanbul on a tour that takes in other cities in Turkey and neighboring countries. Our custom tour packages including Istanbul and other destinations throughout Turkey and Europe make multi-city trips hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.

Retracing The Footsteps of Roman Emperors

Rome, Thessaloniki, Istanbul

10 Days

from$3,950 pp^*

The Parallel Lives of Two Countries

Athens, Ioannina, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Cappadocia

15 Days

from$5,025 pp^*

* Starting price is per person, in US Dollars, based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.

Click on your choice of itinerary, select number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.

Where to stay in Istanbul

There's a wide choice of accommodation in Istanbul but picking the best place can be hard if you don't know the city. We've hand-picked the very best options with respect to location and price levels, so you can be sure you'll be staying somewhere that's perfect for you. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.

Themed boutique hotel

An artsy hotel with a cheerful ambiance, overlooking the Bosphorus.

Historical boutique hotel

A hotel with authentic vibes and smartly decorated rooms.

Historical boutique hotel

A hotel with gorgeous rooms and a beautiful courtyard garden.

Glowing Reviews from Our Guests

5.0 / 5

Average of our Guest's Ratings of our trip packages including Istanbul, based on 4 reviews

Judith & Glenn

Arizona

This is our second trip with JayWay. We found it easy to plan, great suggestions, a fool-proof itinerary with great experiences, hotels and guides. From Istanbul, we went to Antalya, Konya and Cappadocia. Our favorite memory from the trip, hands down Cappadocia.. the hotel, balloon ride, tour guide. Jayway has a great website, quick answers to questions, lots of choices and reasonable costs. We’d happily use them again.

Year : 2023
Visited : Turkey
Itinerary : Istanbul, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Istanbul
Rating :

5 / 5

Scott & Dorothy

California

Independent travel with the security of a local liaison. All of JayWay’s staff goes out of their way to provide the traveler with a perfect travel experience.

Year : 2023
Visited : Turkey
Itinerary : Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Fethiye, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Istanbul
Rating :

5 / 5

Deborah Christensen-Short

California

Trust the Jay Way reps, they truly care about the travelers' having the very best experience possible.

Year : 2023
Visited : Turkey, Greece
Itinerary : Izmir, Istanbul, Athens, Nafplio, Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Athens, Santorini, Athens
Rating :

5 / 5

Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Istanbul

How long should I spend in Istanbul?

In order to really experience the scope of this vast city of 15 million people, you should plan to stay in Istanbul for at least 4-5 days, if not more. Istanbul’s many districts and historical sights means that there will never be a dearth of things to do or see in the city. The old city in Sultanahmet, with the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, is a popular district to explore, as well as the district of Beyoglu, the Asian-side neighborhood of Kadikoy, and the Princes Islands.

Is Istanbul safe?

Compared to other cities of its size, and other major cities in Europe, Istanbul is very safe. Pickpocketing is rare, though it does occasionally happen in the most touristed parts of the city. Many of the central districts of the city remain lively and busy at night, so it feels safe to walk around after hours. Though in the past, there have been terror attacks in the city, that has not been the case for many years now.

How do I get around Istanbul?

Public transportation is robust in Istanbul, with metro lines, trams, and ferries zigzagging all over the city. Taxis are abundant, as are dolmuş, shared taxi-vans that leave when they are full and run along set routes but can let you off anywhere along the way.,If you’re staying within the main tourist districts on the European side, walking can be a great way to experience the city.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

While Istanbul can be special during all seasons, the nicest weather occurs in the spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October), when there is abundant sunshine but the temperature is not too extreme. Winters are often gray and rainy, perfect for moody ferry rides and cups of steaming tea, while summertime is hot and sticky, with long days and warm nights that are perfect for meyhane (traditional restaurants serving wine) nights.