Istanbul
Türkiye · Marmara
RegionMarmara
Plate code34
Population—
Climate type—
Dialling code—
Time zoneUTC+3
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapı Palace
- Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus
About Istanbul
Istanbul's origins go back to Byzantion, founded by colonists from Megara in the 7th century BC. Emperor Constantine refounded the city in 330, and as Constantinople it served as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire for more than a thousand years.
After Mehmed II's conquest in 1453 it became the Ottoman capital and kept that role until 1923. Today it spreads across both shores of the Bosphorus, in Europe and Asia, and is Türkiye's most populous city.
In 2025, about 19 million (18,972,699) foreign visitors entered Türkiye through Istanbul.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye (via alomaliye.com)
When to go?
IdealGoodVery hotCool or rainy
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49.3 | 3.50 | Cool or rainy |
| February | 50.4 | 2.78 | Cool or rainy |
| March | 54.3 | 2.45 | Cool or rainy |
| April | 63.3 | 1.88 | Good |
| May | 72.1 | 1.30 | Ideal |
| June | 80.8 | 1.09 | Ideal |
| July | 85.5 | 0.87 | Good |
| August | 85.5 | 0.94 | Good |
| September | 78.6 | 1.56 | Ideal |
| October | 69.1 | 2.61 | Ideal |
| November | 61.0 | 3.07 | Good |
| December | 53.2 | 3.91 | Cool or rainy |
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Ramadan Feast (Eid al-Fitr)March 9–11
- National Sovereignty and Children's DayApril 23
- Labour and Solidarity DayMay 1
- Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)May 16–19
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports DayMay 19
- Democracy and National Unity DayJuly 15
- Victory DayAugust 30
- Republic DayOctober 29
Practical info
- CurrencyTurkish lira (₺)
- Plugs & voltageC/F · 230 V
- Emergency112
- LanguageTurkish
- DrivingOn the right