Nickname(s):
"Second Rome"
Demonym(s):
İstanbullu
Founded:
700 B.C.
Democracy:
Developed:
European Union:
Schengen:
Euro:
National Capital:
RegionalState Capital:
Population (City):
-
Population (Urban):
15 462 000
Population (Metro):
15 840 000
Population Density (km2):
6 000
Population Density (mi2):
15 600
Largest City in Turkey
Largest City in Europe
Language:
Turkish
Currency:
Lira
Avg. Summertime High:
30 °C
86 °F
Avg. Summertime Low:
21 °C
70 °F
Warmest Month:
August
Coldest Month:
January
Avg. Wintertime High:
9 °C
49 °F
Avg. Wintertime Low:
4 °C
39 °F
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Istanbul has several historical sights left from old Roman times when the city was called Constantinople, such as Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople. In Beyoglu, which is a more modern part of the city, you can shop on Istiklal Avenue or spend time on Taksim Square.
Republic of Turkey | Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Turkey
English
Türkiye
Turkish
Region:
Southeastern Europe
Area:
783 356 km2
Ranked 36 out of 195
Population:
Population:
83 614 000
Ranked 18 out of 235
Urbanization:
76 %
Ranked 56 out of 194
Capital:
Ankara
Population: 5 663 000
Largest City:
Istanbul
Population: 15 462 000
Major Cities:
Istanbul
Ankara
İzmir
Bursa
Adana
Economy & Development:
Human Development Index:
Very High
Ranked 54 out of 189
Inequality-Adjusted HDI:
Medium
Ranked 57 out of 189
GDP (PPP) Per Capita:
$28 424
Ranked 73 out of 225
Democracy & Freedom:
Democracy Index:
Hybrid Regime
Ranked 104 out of 167
Freedom House:
Not Free
32 points out of 100 possible
Press Freedom:
Difficult
Ranked 149 out of 180
Economic Freedom:
3rd Quartile
Ranked 95 out of 162
National Identity:
Independence Since:
1923
Independence From:
Ottoman Empire
National Day:
29th of October
What Is Celebrated On The National Day:
It's called "Republic Day" (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) and commemorates the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the 29th of October 1923.
Facts & Codes:
Driving Side:
Right
-
Time Zone:
UTC +3 (TRT)
-
Country Calling Code:
+ 90
-
Country Code:
TR
ISO 3166
Hagia Sophia
World-Famous Former Church
Grand Bazaar
Huge Market
Taksim Square
Famous Square
Istanbul Airport
IATA Code:
IST
ICAO Code:
LTFM
Passenger Volumes:
Distance:
50 km / 31 mi (NW)
Located In:
Arnavutköy
Named After:
-
Information:
The new Istanbul Airport overtook the old Atatürk Airport in 2019 as the main airport of Istanbul, and it is designed for much higher passenger traffic than the previous airport. It's a hub for traffic between Europe, Asia, and Africa. In a few years, this airport will likely be within the top-5 busiest airports in Europe, which is what the old Atatürk Airport was before it closed.
Transfer To/From:
Currently, as of early 2022, there are no rail-based options to reach the city center. A new metro line (M11) is under construction and is expected to be operational in mid-2022. However, to reach Sultanahmet or Beyoglu will still require a change at the terminus of the line in Gayrettepe Station.
The airport is served by buses and taxis. There are both private bus companies and also public city buses that serve the airport. The ride into the center by taxi is approximately 40 minutes.
Currency:
Turkish Lira
Code:
TRY
Subunit:
Kuruş
Symbol:
₺
Cash Or Credit:
Cash.
Good To Know:
-
Local Language:
Turkish
Language Family:
Oghuz (Turkic)
Writing System:
Latin Alphabet
What About English?
English is widely spoken so language won't be a problem.
Istanbul is one of the true world cities in the world. A meeting point between Europe and the Middle East. There's so much history in the city that you would need weeks to see everything. However, the city is best visited as a weekend trip to not become overwhelmed. My personal impressions of Istanbul were pulled down by the fact that I had terrible weather conditions. I didn't fall in love with the city, but I also could see what Istanbul can offer if the conditions are a little bit better.
Do I Recommend You To Visit?
Yes! Istanbul is a city everyone should visit at least once, but probably more times than that.
Will I Come Back Again?
Yes, it's one of the cities I'm most interested in going back to.
Weather During My Stay:
It was horrible. It was almost constant overcast, with lots of rain. The summer in Istanbul is hot and sunny. For those who are thinking of visiting in the autumn or winter, it is good to know that the weather is often bad and dull between October through March.
Best:
The history everywhere!
Not As Good:
Everyone wants to scam you.
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The skyline of Galata and Beyoglu, on the European side of Istanbul.
People sit on a bench and relax with the skyline of Istanbul in the background.
The Galata Bridge to the right and the skyline of Galata, with Galata Tower as the centerpiece.
A square beneath the Galata Bridge with Süleymaniye Mosque in the background.
A fishing rod from the many fishermen at Galata Bridge. The Golden Horn and skyline of the vast city are seen in the background.
Süleymaniye Mosque.
Probably the most well-known landmark of Istanbul, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the whole world. The Hagia Sophia is located in the area of Sultanahmet (Old Town) on the European side of Istanbul.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or the Blue Mosque, sits just opposite Hagia Sophia and is also a well-known landmark of the city.
Istanbul is known for the many cats that are roaming the streets. This is especially visible in the area of Sultanahmet.
Söğütlü Çeşme, a major street in Kadiköy on the Asian side.
A woman on a scooter on Halitağa Street, the main tourist street in Kadiköy.
Taksim Square is a major meeting point in Beyoglu on the European side.
A street in Sultanahmet.
Many people in Istanbul will happily pose for photos on the street.
A roof-top restaurant viewed from the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Istanbul is a city with excellent street life. Stores and people are everywhere.
A street in Beyoglu.
Istiklal is the main pedestrian street of Beyoglu, and one of the most central streets of the whole city.
A street in Galata.
The Grand Bazaar is one thing you should not miss in Istanbul. Just don't expect a pleasant shopping experience since the pathways are very narrow. The overall experience however is pleasant!