GOtrip: Istanbul

Istanbul Turkey

Istanbul's historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural legacy can be attributed to its ideal strategic location, spanning the Bosphorus straits that divide Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year history, the city (initially known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and since 1930, Istanbul) has been a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is predominantly Turkish, with many of its residents being recent migrants from rural Turkey, drawn by the prospect of employment and career opportunities in this dynamic, rapidly expanding city. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of the country, it remains Turkey's economic and cultural hub - a status emphasized by its designation as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the UNESCO World Heritage recognition of many of its key landmarks. These range from breathtaking Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs, to the pillars of Hellenistic temples and the remnants of enormous medieval city walls. However, Istanbul offers more than just Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has led to a thriving arts and music scene, with an abundance of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants, and designer fashion stores.

Recommended airport

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations

Our ideas

TURQUÍA IMPERDIBLE

5 Destinations 10 Nights

Holidays package

Image - TURQUÍA IMPERDIBLE

From US$4,779 Per person

Origin:: Lima

Destinations: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Turkey, Kusadasi, Çanakkale, Istanbul

WONDERS OF TURKEY

4 Destinations 2 Transports 10 Nights

Holidays package

Image - WONDERS OF TURKEY

From US$1,088 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Turkey, Izmir, Istanbul

GRECIA Y TURQUIA FANTASTICA

8 Destinations 11 Nights

Holidays package

Image - GRECIA Y TURQUIA FANTASTICA

From US$3,345 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Turkey, Kusadasi, Patmos, Greece, Heraklion, Greece, Santorini Island, Athens

GRECIA Y TURQUIA DE ORO

9 Destinations 10 Nights

Holidays package

Image - GRECIA Y TURQUIA DE ORO

From US$3,661 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Çanakkale, Izmir, Kusadasi, Patmos, Greece, Rhode Island, Heraklion, Greece, Santorini Island, Athens

Circuit Turquie Authentique Istanbul et la Cappadoce

3 Destinations 6 Nights

Holidays package

Image - Circuit Turquie Authentique Istanbul et la Cappadoce

From US$1,126 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Ankara

Circuit Grand Tour de la Turquie

11 Destinations 12 Nights

Holidays package

Image - Circuit Grand Tour de la Turquie

From US$1,824 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Turkey, Izmir, Pergamon, Troy, Çanakkale, Bursa, Istanbul

MTPE-20083 JOYAS TURCAS

5 Destinations 9 Nights

Holidays package

Image - MTPE-20083 JOYAS TURCAS

From US$498 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Turkey, Izmir, Kusadasi, Istanbul

MTPE-20077 3 MARES DE TURQUÍA

6 Destinations 2 Transports 9 Nights

Holidays package

Image - MTPE-20077 3 MARES DE TURQUÍA

From US$648 Per person

Destinations: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale, Turkey, Izmir, Kusadasi