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Istanbul City Breaks

Unfortunately, we do not currently sell holidays to Istanbul. However, we’ve got a fantastic selection of city breaks to choose from. Alternatively, there’s an abundance of other Turkish resorts just a click away.

Istanbul is a city with a long and fascinating history during which it passed through the hands of different religions and empires. Traditionally seen as the meeting of East and West, the city straddles the banks of the Bosphorus with Europe on one side and Asia on the other. It is bounded to the north by the Black Sea and to the south by the Sea of Marmara. It Enjoys beautiful Mediterranean summers with long, hot and generally dry days. It is a fascinating place for anyone with an interest in culture and history and is also an increasingly cosmopolitain place with fantastic restaurants, luxury hotels and a vibrant nightlife. Istanbul is a three and a half hour flight from the United Kingdom.

The majority of the historic treasures of Istanbul are concentrated in the district of Sultanahmet – here you can see the stunning Hagia Sofia and the gorgeous Blue Mosque as well as the vast sprawl of the Torkapi Palace. That said, there are fascinating historic monuments scattered throughout the city – including a myriad of Ottoman mosques, Synagogues and Greek Orthodox churches. Istanbul’s modern centre is in the district of Galata – especially around Beyoglu and Taksim Square where a great selection of music venues, bars and nightclubs is to be found as well as shopping malls. Istanbul is one of the largest cities in the world and would take a life time to get to know properly. However, it richly rewards any exploration.

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Istanbul information

Turkish Lira Currency Turkish Lira
Turkish Language Turkish
GMT+02:00 Time Zone GMT+02:00
3h 55m Avg. Flight Time 3h 55m
May-October Peak Travel May-October
£2.00 Price of a pint £2.00
Istanbul Weather

Map of Istanbul

More about Istanbul

Female Solo Traveler

Best time for singles to visit Istanbul

If you’d prefer to miss the peak crowds and the rising hotel prices of the middle of summer, try visiting Istanbul in the spring or autumn.

Male Solo Traveler

Best places for singles to visit in Istanbul

Sultanahmet is heaven on earth for history buffs! Here you can see the Hagia Sofia – the crowning achievement of the Byzantine empire – the vast Ottoman palace of Topkapi and the beautiful Blue Mosque. Be sure also to visit the Hippodrome, the Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.

 

Male Solo Traveler

Reasons for singles to visit Istanbul

There can be few other cities in the world that have known the turbulence and the sustained grandeur of Istanbul. This grand heritage has bequeathed it a stunning variety of treasures and it is a fascinating place for single travellers to see.

Couples Beach Holiday

Best time for couples to visit Istanbul

Istanbul can be at its most pleasant in April and May when the temperatures haven’t quite reached their summer peaks and when the on-season crowds have not yet arrived. Despite the cold, Istanbul is also very charming in the winter months when it is often cloaked in a layer of snow.

Couples Getaway

Best places for couples to visit in Istanbul

The grand historic pedigree of Istanbul makes it a uniquely romantic city. Take in the scenery with a walk along the banks of the Golden Horn or the old Theodosian Walls or go for a cruise along the Bosphorus – from where you’ll get stunning panoramas of the minarets and domes of the city.

 

Senior Couple

Reasons for couples to visit Istanbul

Istanbul is a stunning place and the perfect destination for a romantic holiday. As well as its magnificent architecture, it boasts some fantastic luxury hotels and some exquisite Ottoman restaurants. Don’t miss the nightly light show on the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia!

Group running

Best time for groups to visit Istanbul

The peak summer months see Istanbul in full party mode and are a great time for groups of friends to visit to see the city at its vibrant, youthful and cosmopolitan best!

Young Group Travelers

Best places for groups to visit in Istanbul

For the best of Istanbul’s nightlife, head for Beyoglu – where there are jazz, rock, R’n’B, electronic and hip hop clubs as well as a wealth of hookah cafes. For a more traditional slice of Turkish life, why not go to one of its ancient bath houses or get lost in the vast bazaar – which at last count had over 4000 individual shops!

Senior Group

Reasons for groups to visit Istanbul

Istanbul is a fun loving city that has one foot firmly in its Islamic past and one in a cosmopolitan future. It has great nightlife, incredible shopping and fantastic sightseeing. What more could you want?

Family in Beach Holiday

Best time for families to visit Istanbul

Many families choose to visit Istanbul in the summer holidays but it is also very pleasant during the easter holidays and the autumn half term.

Parents and Grandparents with kids

Best places for families to visit in Istanbul

Children will be entranced by the grand architecture of Sultanahmet and the regal excesses of the Topkapi Palace. Be sure also to take them to the Miniaturk Park – a vast miniature reconstruction of the city in its pre-modern form. A good day-trip is to the Princes’ Islands in the sea of Marmara – they provide attractive scenery and a peaceful, car-free...more

Paddle Boat with family

Reasons for families to visit Istanbul

Istanbul’s great beauty and history will dazzle visitors of all ages and it is also a surprisingly manageable city with wide open green spaces – including the central Gulhane Park.

Sunny

Weather in Istanbul

Istanbul has a borderline Mediterranean climate. Due to its vast, sprawling size, it experiences numerous microclimates – with generally hot and humid summers. Temperatures between June and August are generally in the mid to high twenties celsius and often get into the low thirties. Winters are very cold for the Mediterranean with temperatures regularly dropping...more

Grand Bazaar

What to expect in Istanbul

Visitors to Istanbul should expect to be bowled over by its vast size and the huge profusion of its historic treasures. The geography of the city can seem confusing at first – though once you’ve got to grips with the excellent public transport system, you’ll be fine. It is a city that wears its grand history on its sleeve – with mosques, palaces and...more