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Exploring İstanbul: the city unlike anywhere else in the world

Cities around the world are alive with their own unique buzz, making them the perfect destinations to understand the lay of the land, the ways of its people, and the traditions they carry. In Türkiye, İstanbul is no different – a bustling metropolis where Europe meets Asia and the past overlaps the present.

Stirring the melting pot.

As Türkiye’s most populated city, İstanbul has long attracted those looking to immerse themselves in a place that has it all. With time as its architect, it has become a synthesis of old and new, legend and reality, nostalgia and progression.

Every twist and turn of the city is a reminder of the great empires that once ruled, the first human traces in İstanbul's historic peninsula go as far back as the 6th millennium BCE and Eastern Roman (Byzantium) in 196 BCE to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. These influences are immortalized by the historic landmarks that have made İstanbul the spectacle it is today.

At the center of İstanbul’s Historical Peninsula is one of its greatest structures, the Valens Aqueduct, measuring 920 meters long and 30 meters high. Once an indispensable source of water to 4th-century citizens, its arches now provide modern travelers with a window into a city that never stands still.

Spirituality by design

Home to more than 3,000 mosques and churches, a trip to İstanbul would be incomplete without admiring the unique craftsmanship of these spiritual buildings that are open to all.

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is considered one of the most magnificent attractions in the city. Originally built as a church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, it was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmet II in 1453, then became a museum for nearly a century before reverting to a mosque again in 2020. A visit will quickly reveal why its design is said to have changed the history of architecture.

From afar, the huge domed centerpiece appears to float freely from its slender supports, but inside is where the true grandeur awaits. Take your time exploring the intricate interior, made up of marble veins, golden mosaics, and interreligious motifs, before traveling to the nearby Süleymaniye Mosque.

As the legacy of one of the Ottoman Empire's most prolific designers, Mimar Sinan (Sinan the Architect), the Süleymaniye Mosque is an example of typical 15th-century architecture, featuring tall minarets, İznik tiles, and muqarnas (honeycombed structures). End your experience in the Topkapi courtyard, which offers unparalleled views of the Golden Horn harbor and the sunset to which it owes its name.

Located in the biggest building, the Archeological Museum spreads the major findings of past Ottoman territories across four floors. Don’t miss the rich treasure trove of sarcophagi (highly decorated tombs) or the ‘İstanbul Through the Ages’ exhibit, which tells the inspiring story of İstanbul’s heritage.

The Tiled Kiosk Museum displays Seljuk, Anatolian, and Ottoman ceramics that date back to the 12th century. While highlights from the Museum of Ancient Oriental Works include an 8th-century BCE Hittite rock relief of the storm god Tarhunza and the oldest peace treaty in the world: The Treaty of Kadesh from 1274 BCE. Take a guided tour to ensure you see the best of what these museums have to offer.

Journeying through time

As a city that shares its history freely, every step in İstanbul becomes a lesson into a time gone by. But nowhere will you get a more nostalgic experience than in the local museums, like the İstanbul Archaeological Museums. Visitors are spoilt for choice as three museums occupy this one complex, housing artifacts from a variety of imperial lands.

Commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II to promote economic progress, the arched doorways of this bazaar have held traditional Turkish antiquities for over 500 years. Today, more than 4,000 shops line the maze-like alleyways, welcoming up to 400,000 daily buyers and making it near impossible for them to leave empty-handed.

Wander aimlessly and discover handcrafted carpets, golden jewelry, and İznik tiles that present a kaleidoscope of color. Or take in the traditional spices, artisanal desserts, and Turkish çay (tea) that dare to dazzle your senses. Whatever route you take, you’re bound to experience Türkiye in its most authentic form.

A hive of activity

Once the final stage of the legendary Silk Road, İstanbul has been a unique trading center for centuries – a legacy that lives on with the tens of thousands of traders who bustle daily at the Grand Bazaar. As one of the largest covered markets in the world, it is the perfect opportunity to take away a memento of the metropolis.

Many ancient cities are the sum of their monuments, but İstanbul brings so much more into the equation. It is a city where architecture evokes stories of overthrown empires, lost civilizations, and legendary trade routes. A tour of its greatest landmarks will have you stepping in the footsteps of imperial sultans while forging your own for future explorers to follow.

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24 Things To Do in Istanbul on Your Next Visit

• Things to Do Guide
• Top 10 Attractions
• Shopping Master Guide
• Top Shopping Malls
• Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi)
• Egyptian Spice Market
• Historical Bazaars & Markets
• Top Street Markets
• Dining Master Guide
• Best Restaurants
• Michelin-starred Restaurants
• Best Kebab Restaurants
• Best Meat & Steak Restaurants
• Best Ottoman Cuisine Restaurants
• Best Seafood Restaurants
• Best Italian Restaurants
• Best Japanese Restaurants
• Best Sushi Restaurants & Bars
• Best Veggie Restaurants
• Best Bosphorus Restaurants
• Best Restaurants in Sultanahmet
• Best Restaurants in Taksim
• Best Restaurants in Karakoy
• Best Restaurants in Besiktas
• Best Restaurants in Sisli
• Best Restaurants in Fatih
• Best Restaurants in Sariyer
• Best Restaurants in Kadikoy
• Breakfast & Brunch
• Best Street Food
• Turkish Coffee
• Nightlife Master Guide
• Best Pub Crawl
• Best Rooftop Rest. & Bars
• Best Irish Pubs
• Best Wine Houses
• Best Night Clubs
• Theme Parks
• Families & Kids
• Bosphorus Cruises
• Turkish Bath – Hammam
• Best Beaches
• Cruise Ship Passengers
• Istanbul on a Budget
• Bosphorus Strait
• Best of Bosphorus Cruises
• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
• Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
• Best Cruise Companies
• Which Cruise to Take?
• Cruise Prices
• Bosphorus Cruise with Kids
• Private Bosphorus Yacht Cruise
• Princes’ Islands Yacht Cruise
• Tips for Booking
• Hagia Sophia
• Topkapi Palace
• Basilica Cistern
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Galata Tower
• Maiden’s Tower
• Whirling Dervishes Show
• Rhythm of the Dance Show
• Istanbul MegaPass
• Istanbul Tourist Pass
• Istanbul E-Pass
• Istanbul Museum Pass
• Best English Guided Tours
• Best Sightseeing Tours
• Best Attraction Tickets
• Top 15 Bosphorus Cruises
• City Sightseeing Bus
• Best City Walking Tours
• Istanbul Aquarium
• Miniaturk Museum
• Sea Life Aquarium
• Madame Tussauds Wax
• Must do day trips
• Cappadocia from Istanbul
• Pamukkale from Istanbul
• Ephesus from Istanbul
• Gobeklitepe from Istanbul
• Places to See Guide
• One Day Itinerary
• 3-Days Itinerary
• Top 10 Sights
• Best Views of the City
• Instagrammable Places
• Top Hidden Gems
• Top Museums
• Palaces & Pavilions
• Towers & Fortresses
• Fountains & Cisterns
• Squares & Streets
• Parks & Gardens
• Hair Transplant
• Best Dental Clinics
• Dental Implants
• Dental Veneers
• Hollywood Smile
• Plastic Surgery Aesthetics
• Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
• All Breast Aesthetics
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reduction
• Facelift & Necklift
• Eyelid Surgery
• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Mommy Makeover
• Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
• Laser, Vaser Liposuction
• Post-Bariatric Body Lifting
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• PRP Treatment
• Beauty Centers & Care
• Laser Hair Removal
• IVF & Fertility
• Aesthetic Gynecology
• Hymenoplasty
• Labiaplasty
• Urology Treatments
• Laser Eye Surgery
• Where to Stay Master Guide
• Top Luxury Istanbul Hotels
• Top Sultanahmet hotels
• Top Taksim Hotels
• Top Galata & Karakoy Hotels
• Top Besiktas Hotels
• Top Kadikoy Hotels
• Top Hostels Backpackers
• Hotels Near Galata Tower
• Hotels near New Istanbul Airport
• Hotels near Sabiha Gokcen Airport
• Istanbul in a Nutshell
• Top Reasons to Visit
• Best Time to Visit
• Cost of Visit
• Hours & Admissions
• Istanbul by Months
• Top Festivals & Events
• Top Event Venues
• Public Holidays
• New Year’s Eve
• Istanbul during Ramadan
• Public Transportation
• IstanbulKart (Public Transport)
• Istanbul Taxi Guide
• Car Rentals
• Galataport (Cruise Port)
• Luggage Storage Service
• New Istanbul Airpt. (IST)
• Sabiha Gokcen Airpt. (SAW)
• Airport Transfers
• Istanbul Airport to City Center
• Sabiha G. Airport to City Center
• HAVAIST Airport Shuttles
• WiFi, Internet & Phones
• Accessible Istanbul
• Moving to Istanbul

Distances to Major Districts & Neighborhoods

Avcilar 53 km., Ataturk Airport 40 km., Bakirkoy 42 km., Besiktas 41 km., Eminonu 40 km., Galata 38 km., Kadikoy 52 km., Kavacik 42 km., Levent 36 km., Maslak 35 km., Sabiha Gokcen Airport 85 km., Pendik 87 km., Sisli 37 km., Sultanahmet 45 km., Ortakoy 41 km., Taksim 40 km. and Uskudar 45 km.

New Istanbul Airport Map

No regrets booking advice.

To see Istanbul Airport’s exact location, see the Istanbul airports map .

IST Flights – Live Arrivals & Departures Info

• Please check istairport.com for live Arrivals ,
• Please check istairport.com for live Departures .

IST Passenger Rights

In the event of flight cancellation, denied boarding, delay, upgrading or downgrading or flight delay for a period of at least 2 hours, the passengers can benefit from their rights. Please check your rights when you travel by air in the European Union with the following link europa.eu/youreurope/ .

You may also call Civil Aviation General Directorate for detailed information. Telephone: + 90 (312) 203 60 00- (242) 330 32 38

Insider Advice for IST Departures

* For getting to Istanbul Airport (IST) from city center; we recommend you to arrange your time as to be at the airport at least 1,5 hours for domestic flights and 2,5 hours for international flights .

* You’ll possibly wait in the queue on the main entrance, airline’s counter, and check-in process.

* Since the airport is very huge one, you’ll need to walk from one point to another inside the airport , about at least 15 minutes .

* After your check-in, you’ll also wait in the queue for passenger lounge entrance, flight ticket and passport control.

* Domestic flights: if the check-in process is not completed within 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time, than the passenger loses all rights on the ticket and flight.

* International flights: if the check-in process is not completed at the latest 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, than the passenger loses all rights on the ticket and the flight.

* Therefore, we highly recommend you to go to the airport early.

* Regarding the minimum transfer time of average 1,5 hours plus 30 minutes possible traffic, etc, you should take your transfer to Istanbul Airport from city center, at least 3,5 to 4,5 hours before your flight .

History of the New Istanbul Airport Project

The New Istanbul Airport (IST) , after the Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) , is the third international airport of Istanbul that opened with a big ceremony on 29th October 2018.

The aim and vision of the IST is to build a very large airport in Istanbul to cover and handle fast growing air traffic and travels to Istanbul as Istanbul is one of the top 20 most visited cities in the world and also an important hub for worldwide travelers and airlines.

The IST project has started in 2015 having four phases and the part of the first phase of the airport completed on 29th October 2018 and the airport is partly opened.

The all four phases of the IST is planned to be completed in 2028 and after that there will be six runways, two terminal buildings and two air control towers and the IST will be the largest airport in the world with a capacity of 200 million passengers per year .

Istanbul Airport (IST) Terminal

IST is spread across arrivals and departures levels, with shops, duty free, cafes, restaurants, currency exchange facilities, banks, rent a car, information counters, accommodation desks and left luggage facilities.

All passengers must clear security control before entering the departure lounge and you’ll find shops, bars and cafes. In the arrivals hall, you can find shops, duty free, restaurants, currency exchange, car rental and hotel reservation desks.

Check the Istanbul Airport Terminal Plan Interactive Map from below.

• Istanbul Airport Terminal Map

Istanbul Airport (IST) Parking

Istanbul Airport has a multi-storey parking area, having a car park with a capacity of 40.000 vehicles and with the highest service quality and technology.

The airport car park area has services that include car wash, tire change, tire bank, mini maintenance, fueling and Authorized Services.

Istanbul Airport (IST) Accommodation

Sleeping pods/cabins at the airport.

Istanbul Airport (IST)  recently introduced a series of sleep cabins called “IGA Sleepod” , at the International Flights , Departure Terminal .

Passengers can rent these sleeping capsules on an hourly basis. A very good service for airport sleepers to have a relax and peaceful sleep, and a budget alternative to airport hotels. Continue reading…

Hotel inside Istanbul Airport (IST)

The New Istanbul Airport is great that it offers inside Airport Hotel for travelers. The Innovative London based hotel brand, YOTEL operates inside the airport.

The Innovative London based hotel brand, YOTEL operates at the  Istanbul Airport (IST) . YOTEL serves in two separate parts of the IST , YOTEL Istanbul Airport (Landside) and YOTEL AIR Istanbul Airport (Airside) , with total 451 rooms (also known as cabins). You are able to make hourly bookings as well.

We highly recommend you book YOTEL Istanbul before you go to the airport as there is a high demand on the rooms.

• Book YOTEL Istanbul Landside via Booking.com
• Book YOTEL Istanbul Airside via Booking.com

Hotels near Istanbul Airport (IST)

On the contrary, there are not any hotels located close to the  Istanbul Airport (IST) . It is because the the Istanbul Airport is constructed on the northern far end of Istanbul, about 45 km. from the city center.

As for the closest hotels to the IST , you may find several hotels located within 14-30 km. We gathered those hotels’ info on our the closest hotels to the Istanbul Airport page. You may check them there.

Traveling to and from Istanbul Airport (IST)

You can read our below pages with district/neighborhood specific “how to get” guides.

• How to travel between Istanbul Airport and Taksim?
• How to travel between Istanbul Airport and Sultanahmet?
• How to travel between Istanbul Airport and Besiktas?
• How to travel between Istanbul Airport and Bakirkoy?
• How to travel between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport?

As of January 2023, there is a direct metro line between Istanbul airport and city center. The M11 Kagithane – Istanbul Airport metro line operates between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Kagithane neighborhood.

The M11 Istanbul Airport metro line is 34 kilometers  in total with  7 stations . The train comes every 8 minutes, from 06:00am to 23:59pm and will get you to the Kagithane in about 27 minutes.

Read more on our Istanbul Airport Metro Line  page.

by Public Buses & Airport Shuttles

The IETT (Municipal) public buses and HAVAIST airport shuttles operate in between many districts of Istanbul and the  Istanbul Airport .

* IETT Public Buses has 7 lines with line numbers; H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, H-7, H-8 and H-9. For more information and timetables, visit the Municipality Public Buses to Airports website.

* Public Buses mostly operate to non tourist destinations. There are NO Public Buses for popular tourist districts and neighborhoods such as Sultanahmet, Taksim, Besiktas, Beyoglu, etc.

* The HAVAIST Airport Buses operate on a regular fixed route, around 50 destinations in the city.

* HAVAIST has 10 lines with numbers. Read more on all HAVAIST routes and price info on our HAVAIST page.

* Read more about all the transportation options for Istanbul Airport (IST) from our Travelling to and from Istanbul Airpor t  page.

by Private & Shared Shuttles

If you are a group or a family with kids or having lots of luggage with you, than we highly recommend you to take  private shuttle transfers  for your hotel as they offer a fixed rate, comfortable and safe transfer that include meet-and-greet airport pickups and luggage assistance to your hotel from the airports or vice versa.

The IETT or HAVAIST airport shuttles will drop you off at the city center and you’ll need to take a taxi or walk from there again which will harder for you with your kids and luggage. But private transfers drives you just to the entrance of your hotel .

Book your Private Shuttle

Check out and book your transfer from the below best and cheapest options

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