Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and with an estimated population of over 10 million people it’s also one of the largest cities in the world. This ancient metropolis had been a capital of one empire after another for 16 centuries and has more history packed into it than most entire countries. The Eastern influences stand out in this city that straddles two continents, but Istanbul is also a modern European capital and there isn’t much you can’t find here if you look hard enough.

What To Do

The entire city is studded with various domes and minarets, but Hagia Sofia stands out. This basilica dates back to the 6th Century and for 1,000 years it was the largest building on the planet. The Topkapi Palace was the home of Ottoman emperors for 3 centuries and its lavish interior decorations are not to be missed.

The Galata Whirling Dervish Hall houses the Museum of Divan Literature, but is also a great place to see the dervish ceremonies still performed. The Museum of Archeology is one of the many important museums and galleries in Istanbul. Spread out over three separate buildings, this is one of the largest and most important ancient collections on earth.

Getting There

Being a huge city Istanbul is also a major transit hub. You can book a flight into Istanbul Atatürk Airport (code: IST) from all the major airports in Europe and Asia. Prices tend to be competitive most of the year so it shouldn’t be hard to find a good deal. There is also the smaller Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (code: SAW), which handles much of the charter traffic as well as some of the new low-cost carriers.

Where To Stay

Prices for accommodation are quite reasonable in Istanbul, but there are still some hostels in town. Of course there is also a variety of hotels in Istanbul in all price ranges. This is a large and spread out city so take note of the location of a potential place, as it’s not worth saving a bit of money if you are far from the places you intend to visit.