World Guide

Istanbul

City in Turkey

Hagia Sophia
Pictured: Hagia Sophia · Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Istanbul is a city in Turkey with a population of about 15.7 million people. While not the capital, it is located 349 km from Ankara and draws visitors to its historic sites, including Hagia Sophia and the Topkapı Palace.

What to see

The city contains many historic areas, including sites designated by UNESCO. Religious architecture is prominent, featuring structures like the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Fatih Mosque, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Little Hagia Sophia, and the Pammakaristos Church. For history and imperial architecture, visitors explore the Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Yıldız Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. Ancient infrastructure and defensive structures include the Basilica Cistern, the Aqueduct of Valens, the Column of Constantine, and the fortress of Rumelihisarı. Other points of interest include the Golden Horn, the Galata Tower, the Maiden's Tower, the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Museum of Innocence, the Chora, the Princes' Islands, and the Beyoğlu district.

When to go

The summer months of June, July, and August offer the warmest weather, with daily highs ranging from 24 °C to 27 °C and relatively low rainfall, especially in July and August with 3 or 4 days of rain. Spring, particularly May, provides mild temperatures around 19 °C. The autumn months of September and October are also mild, though rainfall increases in October. Winters are cooler and wetter, with December experiencing the highest rainfall at 123 mm over about 12 days and temperatures averaging around 7 °C to 10 °C.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, located 32 km away in Pendik.

Top sights in Istanbul

  1. Hagia SophiaUNESCOHagia Sophia
  2. Blue Mosque, IstanbulBlue Mosque, Istanbul
  3. Topkapı PalaceTopkapı Palace
  4. Basilica CisternBasilica Cistern
  5. Ecumenical Patriarchate of ConstantinopleEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
  6. Dolmabahçe PalaceDolmabahçe Palace
  7. Süleymaniye MosqueSüleymaniye Mosque
  8. Golden HornGolden Horn
  9. Galata TowerGalata Tower
  10. Fatih Mosque, IstanbulFatih Mosque, Istanbul
  11. BeyoğluBeyoğlu
  12. Maiden's TowerMaiden's Tower
  1. The Chora
  2. Princes' Islands
  3. The Museum of Innocence
  4. Yıldız Palace
  5. Pammakaristos Church
  6. Rumelihisarı
  7. Column of Constantine
  8. Beylerbeyi Palace
  9. Eyüp Sultan Mosque
  10. Historic Areas of IstanbulUNESCO
  11. Little Hagia Sophia
  12. Istanbul Archaeology Museums
  13. Aqueduct of Valens
  14. Palace of the Porphyrogenitus

Weather by month

The warmest month is August, with an average high of 27 °C. The wettest is December, with about 123 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C8810151924262723191410
Average low, °C5469141821211815107
Rainfall, mm9879704834352934509098123
Rainy days14111188943771012

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Istanbul (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

  • Ahrida Synagogue of Istanbul
  • Anadoluhisarı
  • Anastasian Wall
  • Arap Mosque
  • Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul
  • Belgrad Forest
  • Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
  • Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, Istanbul
  • Column of Marcian
  • Hagia Triada Church, Istanbul
  • Ihlamur Pavilion
  • Istanbul Modern
  • Jewish Museum of Turkey
  • Kalenderhane Mosque
  • Kanuni Sultan Suleiman bridge
  • Koca Mustafa Pasha Mosque
  • Küçüksu Pavilion
  • Küçükçekmece
  • Miniatürk
  • Monastery of Stoudios
  • Neve Shalom Synagogue
  • Nişantaşı
  • Nuruosmaniye Mosque
  • Pera Museum
  • Rahmi M. Koç Museum
  • Rüstem Pasha Mosque
  • Sakıp Sabancı Museum
  • SantralIstanbul
  • Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Kadırga
  • Süreyya Opera House
  • Theodosius Cistern
  • Yedikule Fortress
  • Zeyrek Mosque

Other cities in Turkey