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Istanbul travel guide

What to watch out for, what to see, what to eat, and how to get around — written for people arriving for the first time.

Last updated 2026-08-08

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Photo: Kirua · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Common scams in Istanbul

13 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Istanbul, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.

Common scams in Istanbul — and how to avoid them →

Top places to visit in Istanbul

6 places worth your time in Istanbul, with what each is actually like and when to go.

Top places to visit in Istanbul →

Top food to try in Istanbul

6 dishes to eat in Istanbul, what is in them, and where they belong.

Top food to try in Istanbul →

Traditions and customs in Istanbul

5 customs and traditions in Istanbul — what they are, and how to take part without causing offence.

Traditional things to do in Istanbul →

Getting around Istanbul

How to travel around Istanbul — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Getting around Istanbul: transport and taxi apps →

Rules to follow in Istanbul

3 laws, restrictions, and customs in Istanbul that travellers often break without knowing — and the fines or consequences that follow.

Rules to follow in Istanbul — laws and customs travellers must know →

Emergency contacts in Istanbul

5 emergency services in Istanbul you may need as a traveller — tourist police, ambulance, fire brigade and more. Save these before you go out.

Emergency numbers in Istanbul — police, ambulance, fire and tourist helplines →

Best places to shop in Istanbul

5 markets, malls and shopping districts in Istanbul — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.

Best places to shop in Istanbul — markets, malls, bazaars and street shopping →

Scam entries describe patterns reported in an area. They are not findings of fact, and they do not allege wrongdoing by any named business.