Istanbul

Best time to visit

The best months to visit Istanbul are May to October.

Places to visit

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

Hagia Sophia

Topkapi Palace

Basilica Cistern

Hippodrome

Tips for travellers

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets, where you can shop for spices, textiles, and jewellery and indulge in Turkish cuisine by sampling mouthwatering dishes like kebabs, mezes, baklava, and Turkish tea at traditional restaurants and street food stalls.

About Istanbul

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics