I’ve been to Istanbul five times. On the first time, the call to prayer ringing out across the streets and the aroma of Turkish coffee got me hooked.
The second time, I gazed at the city sprawling from the top of Galata tower and a boat on the Bosphorus, and vowed to return to more. On the third, fourth and fifth time, I’ve found more and more to love in Istanbul.
So yes, Istanbul is worth visiting. But there are some considerations to make in 2025 and beyond. Let’s get into all the reasons to visit, and what to think about when you’re planning a trip!
Reasons to visit
Delicious food
People don’t talk about it enough, but Istanbul is one of my favourite foodie cities in the world.
My top recommendation is Van Kahvalti Evi, a Turkish breakfast spot which serves traditional Kurdish breakfast (breads, dips, olives, cheese and pastries!). I went here on my first trip to Istanbul and have visited every single time since (and recommended everyone else come here too!).
Other food items you must try include:
- Turkish ice cream on Istiklal Street
- Uyghur noodles on the Asian side
- kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes) – there are lots of Istiklal Street
- gözleme which are stuffed pancakes (and a must-eat in Turkiye, although they’re not from Istanbul!)
- pide is a Turkish pizza and there are tonnes of places where you can grab one!
- My partner swears by fish sandwiches by the Bosphorus
- falafel, hummus etc is Lebanese/ Palestinian/ Syrian, not Turkish, BUT there are plenty of Middle Eastern restaurants! I did this incredible Syrian food tour around led by a refugee.
Well-connected
Istanbul is one of the most well-connected cities in the world.
Its airport is the hub of Turkish Airlines which serves the most cities out of any airline – from Istanbul, you can fly to every continent (apart from Antarctica, of course!). There are also train links to Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, as well as other spots in Turkey.
In the city itself, public transport is fantastic and staying connected is easy, with excellent signal and strong WiFi in hotels and cafes.
Pro tip: to make it even simpler, purchase a Turkey data esim ahead of time.
Incredible history
Istanbul is one of the most enthrallingly historic cities in the world.
The old streets around Sultanahmet trace the outline of ancient Constantinople, where Roman emperors once walked through ceremonial gates, passed forums lined with columns and entered the Hippodrome to watch chariot teams thunder around a track that’s still visible in the layout of the square.
Inside the Hagia Sophia, the scale of the dome reflects the ambition of the Eastern Roman Empire.
A short walk away, Topkapı Palace shows how the city changed after 1453. Courtyards lead to chambers where Ottoman sultans governed an empire stretching into Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
You see tiled rooms, treasury exhibits and gardens overlooking the Bosphorus. In the same district, the Blue Mosque was built to project strength and match the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia opposite it.
Across the Golden Horn, in Galata, Genovese traders built the tower that carries their name, and when you climb it today, the view outlines how the city expanded as a major port between Europe and Asia.
You also see reminders of the 20th century. Republic-era monuments on Taksim Square reflect the foundations of modern Türkiye and the drive for reform under Atatürk.
Former railway stations recall the age of the Orient Express, with Sirkeci Station still displaying the architecture of its heyday.
Here’s a checklist of historical places to visit in Istanbul:
- Hagia Sophia – monumental dome, Byzantine mosaics and a layout that shows how Constantinople projected power.
- Hippodrome of Constantinople – obelisks, the Serpent Column and a square shaped by the original chariot-racing arena.
- Topkapı Palace – tiled chambers, treasury rooms and terraces overlooking the Bosphorus that reflect the height of Ottoman rule.
- Blue Mosque – elegant courtyard, six minarets and striking interior details from the early 17th century.
- Basilica Cistern – atmospheric underground reservoir supported by rows of ancient columns.
- Galata Tower – built by Genoese merchants and still offering one of the most sweeping views of the city.
- Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) – intricate mosaics and frescoes showing late Byzantine artistry.
- Süleymaniye Mosque – one of Sinan’s masterpieces with a hilltop setting overlooking the Golden Horn.
- Dolmabahçe Palace – 19th-century waterfront residence reflecting the final era of Ottoman splendour.
- Sirkeci Station – former terminus of the Orient Express with preserved oriental-style detailing.
City energy
But modern Istanbul has a fantastic energy that’s incomparable to many spots.
I think it’s largely to do with the multiculturalism of the city. Straddling Europe and Asia, you see not just two sides of Turkish culture (it’s a very diverse country), but influences from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and beyond keep ideas fresh and opinions diverse.
Cihangir is well-known for its street art, and the Bosphorus keeps fresh air flowing into the city. At dusk, you’ll hear the call to prayer, but equally there are spots to enjoy drinks into the night (Turkey isn’t secular).
It’s something that you have to visit to experience, but Istanbul definitely has “it”.
Views for days!
For a large city, Istanbul is undeniably scenic. From the top of Galata Tower you can see mosques, boats on the Bosphorus and buildings throughout the centuries.
From the Bosphorus itself, both sides of the city rise above you.
There are also countless rooftop bars and hotels where you can take in the city – definitely schedule some “rooftop time” when you’re exploring Istanbul!
Multicultural atmosphere
I’ve touched on this already, but Istanbul has such a wonderful multicultural atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
With flights from all corners of the world, this is no surprise! But it’s a city where you can eat Syrian food for lunch and Chinese for dinner, and hear a fusion of languages all around you in Taksim.
It’s almost a microcosm of the Eastern Europe/ Central Asia part of the world (with a dash of the Middle East!) and I absolutely love it!
Yes, it’s safe!
Any preconceptions about Istanbul not being safe are completely unfounded.
There are sometimes terror attacks here, but no more than in London or Paris. If you’re happy visiting any large European city, you should be happy visiting Istanbul.
I’ve visited as a solo female traveller, and felt completely at ease walking around – much more so than in Paris!
So please, please don’t think that Istanbul is “dangerous”. I promise it’s not!
Considerations
Prices
In the last few years, prices in Istanbul (and Turkiye in general) have risen significantly.
When I last visited in January 2024 prices were around £10 for a main dish on a meal out, but I’ve heard that now prices are sitting around £15.
Alcohol has always been a bit pricey as it’s a Muslim majority country, but this has gone up significantly too.
It’s still not as expensive as many Western European cities, but it’s no longer a budget break (and sadly, it’s not because wages have risen – locals are finding the price hikes hardest).
Seasonality
Istanbul generally has mild weather, but expect winters to be chilly (and a little wet!).
In the summer, it can be busy – I waited to go up the Galata Tower for 90 minutes on August bank holiday! Temperatures can also soar too, although the Bosphorus strait cools it down somewhat.
It’s a lovely place to visit in April/ May or September/ October.
Culture
Istanbul is quite liberal. Turkiye is non-secular, but Istanbul in particular is home to a range of cultures – and while there are mosques in every neighbourhood, all religions are represented here.
This means there isn’t really a dress code – shorts and strappy tops are fine. But if you’re a woman and are going into a mosque you will need to cover up.
In the larger mosques there will be headscarves and long dresses available to rent (sometimes at a cost), but in smaller establishments you might need to provide your own. I’d recommend wearing a long skirt or trousers if you’re going to go into a mosque, and taking two scarves – one to put around your shoulders and one to wear on your head.
So, is Istanbul worth visiting?
If you haven’t guessed, my answer is YES, you should visit Istanbul!
It’s not as affordable as it once was, but it’s still well worth exploring.
But don’t stop at Istanbul. There are SO many amazing places to visit in Turkiye too. Check out my list of places to visit in Turkey in winter to begin!
