Istanbul is an unexpected surprise. It is a city for all senses, a vibrant metropolis with over sixteen million people. It is ancient Byzantium. Constantinople. This is where Europe meets Asia, where East and West intersect.
For 1,600 years, Istanbul was the capital of three of the world’s greatest empires; Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. It is no longer a state capital, but it is still the historical, cultural, and financial center of Turkey.
Contemporary Istanbul is a sprawling metropolis across two continents, stretching along both banks of the Bosphorus. The European part of the city is densely populated with almost all the action going on. Surrounded by the Byzantine Wall, the peninsula to the south of the Golden Horn is known as the “Old Town”, the 3,000-year-old historical core of the city.
The city was not an imperial capital for no reason, its proximity and easy access to many historical and natural attractions always made sense. In a pleasant day trip, you can explore serene the Black Sea town of Şile, legendary ruins of Troy, battlefields of Gallipoli, marvelous Ottoman architecture in Bursa and Edirne, the biblical town of Nicea of the Nicene Creed, the peaceful Princess Islands just of the coast, or take a flight to ancient Ephesus.
Itineraries on these pages will help you prioritize the many sights and attractions of this diverse city, and destinations you can cover in a day trip. We designed them for travelers who wish to explore Istanbul and surroundings in depth, and in a more relaxed and thoughtful pace.
Each itinerary can be tailored to your personal interests, needs, and expectations, or connected for an exclusive tour of the city.
Tours are available year-round.
Istanbul in a nutshell
Historically an imperial capital to the Roman, Byzantine, and the Ottomans empires, today, it is the cultural, economic and social capital of modern Turkey.
It sits at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, straddling the Bosporus Strait, which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
Geographically unique, Istanbul is the only major city in the world spanning two continents.
With over 16 million residents, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest and most populous city.
A crazy fusion of ancient and modern, spiritual and secular, it is unmatched— bridging two continents (Europe and Asia), blending the legacies of three empires (Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman).
Its skyline—defined by minarets, domes, and modern towers—symbolizes its identity as a crossroads of cultures, histories, and traditions.
The city has a moderate maritime climate influenced by the surrounding seas. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cool and occasionally snowy. Spring and autumn are mild. Rain is a frequent feature, with approximately 130 days through the year. Seattle, by comparison, averages around 150 rainy days.
There is not a dress code. Visitors can dress as they prefer.
Locals have a modern, stylish and cosmopolitan fashion sense—European elegance with an Anatolian flair. Young people often dress experimentally and expressively.
Due to many visitors from the Gulf counties, the Middle East and Asia, it is common to see conservatively dressed individuals in tourist-heavy areas.
Visitors are suggested to dress conservatively when visiting mosques, covering shoulders and legs, and carry a scarf to cover hair upon entering.
If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital. —Attributed to Napoleon.
