Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring 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.

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.

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.

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.