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Introduction to Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! This big, magical city straddles two continents and is home to some 16 million people. There’s a huge amount to keep you busy here, from bustling bazaars to magnificent mosques.

Icelandair is adding Istanbul to its schedule in 2025, flying 4 times a week from September 5, 2025, to March 29, 2026. Book your flight to Istanbul from Iceland and North America for your chance to experience abundant history, fresh flavors, and steamy hammams alongside the welcoming locals.

Before (or after) you experience Istanbul’s buzz, how about some downtime in the Icelandic countryside? When you book flights to Istanbul with Icelandair you have the opportunity to add a stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare.

Exploring Istanbul

Istanbul is large and sprawling, so it helps to get a feel for what neighborhoods to prioritize. First and foremost is Sultanahmet, the historic heart of the city that's home to the best-known sights, all within walking distance of each other.

A short tram ride from Sultanahmet, across the Galata Bridge, is the Beyoglu district. The major landmark here is Taksim Square, a busy nightlife, shopping, and dining area. Vintage trams shuttle along Istiklal Caddesi, the city’s main pedestrian boulevard. The network of side streets here is fun to explore.

To see a more authentic side of Istanbul, Kadikoy on the Asian shore is a great choice. Its popularity has exploded in recent years, creating a vibrant neighborhood of cafes and restaurants, boutiques and street art. A highlight here is the fish and produce market.

Attractions in Istanbul

Start your explorations with Istanbul’s headliner acts: the incredible treasures of Sultanahmet, the historic district. It’s home to the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque with its iconic minarets and blue-tiled interior, alongside the glittering mosaic-filled Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Nearby is the opulent Topkapi Palace complex, once the residence of the Ottoman sultans and today full of stories and sacred relics. Together, these landmarks showcase Istanbul's incredible history and architectural grandeur.

Other places to add to your hit list: Gülhane Park to catch your breath, Galata Tower for dramatic sunsets, the chaotic and colorful Grand Bazaar for perfect souvenirs, and the subterranean Basilica Cistern to marvel over 6th-century engineering.

Activities in Istanbul

One of the best activities for visitors is a cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow waterway that bisects the heart of the city, effectively separating Europe and Asia. There are numerous cruise options, including dinner and sunset choices, and they all give you a stunning sightseeing perspective of the city's landmarks.

Also understandably high on wish lists: a traditional Turkish hammam, or bathhouse experience. It usually involves a number of cleansing rituals across a variety of rooms, including saunas, steam rooms, scrubbing rooms, wash rooms, salt rooms, and pools. The fact this often takes place inside a 16th-century Ottoman monument is icing on the cake!

What to eat in Istanbul

Delicious street foods like simit, lahmacun and döner kebab can be found on almost every corner: simit is the Turkish version of a sesame bagel, lahmacun is a local take on pizza, and doner kebab is meat cooked on a vertical spit, then sliced and loaded into flatbread with sauce and salad. Also try balik ekmek, a fish sandwich sold by waterside vendors.

There’s no end of meze dishes perfect for sharing. These can include olives, fried or roasted vegetables, dips, and cheeses – visit a meyhane (traditional tavern) to enjoy them. Raki is the national drink and the time-honored meze accompaniment.

You’re spoiled for choice with sweet treats. Baklava – filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and honey – is the most famous option, and Turkish delight (locally called lokum) comes in flavors like pistachio and pomegranate.

Shopping in Istanbul

If you’re heading to Istanbul with some space in your bags reserved for local souvenirs, the obvious first stop is the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, with a history dating from the 15th century. Its maze-like alleys offer everything imaginable, from carpets to glass lanterns, coffee pots to ceramics. Give yourself a few hours to browse and soak up the atmosphere. Cash is smart to bring, bargaining is encouraged, and note that the bazaar is closed on Sundays.

While the Grand Bazaar may be the largest and most famous of Istanbul's covered bazaars, the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market) wins points for being the most colorful and fragrant. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the Grand Bazaar north to the Spice Bazaar.

Getting around the city

Istanbul Airport (IST), known as Istanbul Havalimani in Turkish, is the larger of two international airports that serve Istanbul, and it’s one of Europe’s busiest airports. It’s located about 38km (24 miles) northeast of Taksim Square (downtown Istanbul) on the European side of the city. There are buses, called Havaist, that operate along 11 different routes between the airport and the city center. Metro line M11 also runs to the airport from Gayrettepe stop on the city's main M2 line.

Istanbul is a sprawling city but there are numerous good transport options, including the ever-expanding metro, trams (the T1 line is a great way to explore the historic center of town), a couple of funiculars to save steep walks, buses, and ferries that cross the Bosphorus to connect the Europe and Asian sides of the city.

Travel beyond Istanbul

Istanbul is overflowing with incredible things to see and do. But maybe you like the idea of an escape from the hustle and bustle? One of the most popular day trips for locals is to retreat to the Princes’ Islands, with their historic mansions, scenic views, small beaches, waterfront seafood restaurants, and relaxed seaside vibe. Buyukada is the largest of these islands, which sit in the Sea of Marmara, 20km from Istanbul. It’s an easy trip by ferry, which takes around 1.5 hours, and the scenery is stunning.

Beyond Istanbul, the riches of Turkey have been a magnet for explorers for centuries. Need inspiration? Check out the fantastical rock forms of Cappadocia, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the legends of the ancient city of Troy, and the perfect beaches of the Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines. There's a lot to discover!