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Why Visit Istanbul?
Istanbul is located in north-west Turkey and stretches between both Europe and Asia. It is Turkey’s largest city and acts as an economic, cultural and social hub for the country. With over 15 million inhabitants, Istanbul is the most populous city in Europe and makes up 19% of the entire population of Turkey. Due to its location between the Sea of Maramara to the south and the Black Sea to the north, the climate experienced here can be varied. Typically Summers tend to be mostly dry and hot with average temperatures of between 20°C – 25°C, while Winters are cooler with frequent rain.
Istanbul has grown to become a popular tourist destination. With an abundance of culture, history, nightlife and landmarks there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city. Istanbul's spread over 2 continents means the city has a varied and interesting mixture of cultures and experiences waiting to be explored. From museums and historical sites to bars and bazaars, your days will never be boring in Istanbul.
Due to its expansive offering of things to do and see, Istanbul makes for a great holiday destination for anybody. It’s a very child-friendly city, with plenty of fun attractions for families including museums and theme parks. Couples would also love an Istanbul Holiday or City Break, with visits to the Turkish baths and the tea houses located around the city being particularly popular. No matter your interests, Istanbul is sure to have something for you!
Turkish Airlines offer regular flights from Dublin to Istanbul all year round, with an estimated flight time of around 4 hours. It takes around 30 minutes by car to get from Istanbul Airport into the city center. Budget Travel have great deals on Holidays and City Breaks to Istanbul year-round.
To learn more about things to do in Istanbul, the best time to go and local info see here.
More Information
Things to do in Istanbul
Attractions
- Experience some of Istanbul’s culture with a visit to the Blue Mosque
- Try some Turkish tea at one of the teahouses in the city
- Visit the Grand Bazaar for a true Turkish shopping experience
- Visit the Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks
Nightlife
Istanbul’s nightlife scene is a lot livelier than some may expect. There are lots of bars and clubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning, so if you feel like dancing the night away on your Istanbul Holiday there’s plenty of places to do so! With a mixture of clubs, jazz bars and quiet pubs there’s something for everyone.
Dining Out
Istanbul is the place to go to sample some authentic Turkish cuisine. From kebabs and gozleme to pide and piyaz, there are countless places where you can try the local delicacies for very reasonable prices. There is also a wide variety of international cuisine on offer in Istanbul including Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese and Thai restaurants.
For Families
There’s plenty to do in Istanbul to keep the whole family entertained. A trip to the Legoland Discovery Center will make for an enjoyable day out that will give you the chance to explore your creative side. Spend a day learning about the 15,000 underwater creatures who live at Sea Life Istanbul, including sharks, rays and tropical fish. The whole family will also love a trip to FunLab, an entertainment center with a variety of games, rides and attractions. Your Family Holiday to Istanbul is sure to be fun filled!
Shopping
Bazaars are extremely popular in Istanbul and are a must-see for visitors to the city. Here, you can buy a variety of traditional Turkish goods including rugs, antiques, teas, herbs and spices. The Bazaars are the perfect place to find a souvenir from your Istanbul Holiday.
Istanbul Tulip Festival
This festival celebrating Spring happens during the last 3 weeks of April annually in the cities’ most famous parks. The tulip is an important symbol of Turkish culture. During the festival, you can enjoy events such as art activities and a photo competition, all while taking in the beautiful sights of over 120 different varieties of tulips in a range of colours.
Best Time to Go
Summer is the peak season for tourism in Istanbul, so a visit during this time will allow you to see the city at its liveliest and busiest. If you’d rather visit when things are a bit quieter and the city is less crowded, we recommend visiting between March and May or between September and November.
Local Info
Currency
The currency used in Istanbul is the Turkish Lira.
Time Zone
Istanbul is 3 hours ahead of Ireland.
Getting around
Getting around Istanbul is relatively easy due to the abundance of public transport available, including trams and buses. A lot of the city's main attractions are close to each other and can be easily reached thanks to the public transport network, so many tourists choose to rely on this when they visit.
