Hotels in Istanbul

Staying in Istanbul

Istanbul straddles two continents and centuries of empire. See the soaring domes of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, explore the courtyards of Topkapı Palace, and bargain for carpets, lamps and spices in the Grand Bazaar. A public ferry along the Bosphorus is one of the best-value ways to see the city.

Flights from the UK take around four hours, with direct routes from London and several regional airports to Istanbul Airport. Searching for cheap flights to Istanbul? Compare dates across the week and consider spring or autumn, when the weather is mild. Some airlines use Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side instead, so check your arrival airport.

Best time to visit: April to May and September to November bring mild temperatures that suit walking the old city, while summer is hot and busy.

Flying there too? See cheap flights to Istanbul or save with a flight + hotel package.