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Turkey
April to november

Istanbul

Istanbul: A CITY BETWEEN TWO WORLDS 

Eastern or Western? Istanbul refuses to choose! History lovers will appreciate the rich evidence of the Ottoman era, while young people will love the vibrancy of the city. Discover this Turkish city of 15 million inhabitants.

Voyage Istanbul
Before you go

What you need to know about Istanbul

  • Flight time
    3h25
  • Dialing code
    +90
  • Spoken Language
    Turkish
  • Currency
    Turkish lira
  • Time difference
    +2h
  • Travel Formalities
    Passport

Destination Istanbul

The mere mention of the city’s past - when it was called Byzantium or Constantinople - awakens our fantasies of the East, with its curved mosques, fragrant spice bazaars and gold-laden Ottoman palaces; a city with a strange geography, with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. The emblematic Bosphorus, a maritime passage, separates the two continents, spanned by three giant suspension bridges.  

Unmissable

  • The Blue Mosque

    Overlooked by six elegant minarets and lined with millions of blue Iznik tiles, this is Istanbul's most famous mosque, accessible to all.

    mosquee bleue Istanbul Turquie
  • Grand Bazaar

    The largest covered market in the world (20 hectares!), this maze of 4,000 shops offers the best (jewellery, silks, etc.) and the worst (counterfeits).

    grand-bazar-istanbul
  • Topkapi Palace

    Former residence of the sultans - a labyrinth of courtyards, gardens and mausoleums - has been transformed into a museum housing rich treasures including the Kasikçi, a diamond the size of an apricot!

    palais de topkapi turquie istanbul

Discover Istanbul

  • Explore Istanbul

    A trip to Istanbul starts in the European part, in Sultanahmet, with its cobbled streets and wooden houses converted into shops, restaurants and hotels. This district is home to most of the city's historic sites: the domes of the mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Blue Mosque lined with millions of blue Iznik tiles, and the Basilica of Saint Sophia with its monumental dome, inherited from the Byzantine era.

    Nearby, the legendary Topkapi Palace is also a must-see during your stay in Istanbul. A veritable palace of a thousand and one nights, the former residence of the sultans has been transformed into a museum. Here you can admire precious stones, collections of porcelain... With stunning views of Istanbul from the Topkapi ramparts. 

    A visit to Istanbul has to include the Grand Bazaar, where you'll find all your holiday souvenirs. Even the most sophisticated GPS device won't find its way through this maze of shops! Genius antique dealers and talented goldsmiths rub shoulders with counterfeit specialists. You'll have to search patiently to find that leather bag or that oil lamp, minus the genie inside! Further on, the Galata iron bridge, used by tens of thousands of Istanbulites every day. Fishermen have made their mark here, reeling in sardines and red mullet to sell to the restaurants set up... under the bridge. A good opportunity to sample the flavours of Turkish cuisine, not forgetting the pastries such as baklava and loukoum.

    Other places to visit on your trip to Istanbul include Taksim Square, a meeting place for young people, and the pedestrian Istiklâl Cadessi (Independence Street) lined with pretty Baroque and Neo-classical buildings. 

    Ortaköy (below one of the suspension bridges) is also worth a visit. Once a delightful village whose mosque is still a photographer's delight, the district has become a spot for late-nighters. You can party till you drop on the terraces of the lounges and trendy open-air clubs lining the Bosphorus, just like in Miami or Ibiza! Like to party on holiday? You'll love visiting this part of Istanbul! 

    Istanbul, by direct flight from Montpellier. 

  • Best places to visit in Istanbul

    Sites and monuments in Istanbul

    • Hagia Sophia - The Christian basilica with its Byzantine architecture and chic mosaics became a mosque in the 15th century, then a museum in 1935, before becoming a mosque again (with free access) in 2020.  
    • The Blue Mosque - Overlooked by six elegant minarets and lined with millions of blue Iznik tiles, this is Istanbul's most famous mosque, accessible to all.
    • Soliman Mosque - Its silhouette standing out against the horizon is part of the magic of Istanbul. More than just a place of worship, it is a city within a city, with its own hospital, schools and library...
    • Cistern-Basilica - A stone's throw from the Basilica of Saint Sophia, a strange underground forest of stone columns bathe in the water that once supplied Istanbul.
    • Grand Bazaar - The largest covered market in the world (20 hectares!), this maze of 4,000 shops offers the best (jewellery, silks, etc.) and the worst (counterfeits). 
    • Egyptian Bazaar - A neighbour of the Grand Bazaar, this market is brimming with baskets full of colourful powders, the scent of mint and cumin, dried fruit and Turkish delight...
    • Galata Bridge - The city's most famous bridge, with the silhouette of the minarets standing out against the horizon. It's a postcard that's been seen all over the world, but it's so beautiful!
    • Galata Tower - A vestige of Istanbul's Genoese walls, this tower offers a lovely view of the city from its summit.
    • Dolmabahçe Palace - On the banks of the Bosphorus, this palace with its white marble façade was built in the 19th century and was the residence of the sultans from 1853 to 1922.
    • Fish market - Located in the Beyoglu district and surrounded by numerous restaurants, this is a real slice of Istanbul life. 

    Parks and natural sites 

    • Gülhane Park - In the heart of the historic district of Sultanahmet, a vast park with beautiful shady paths and soft lawns where you can take a break between two visits.
    • Maçka Park - On the west bank of the Bosphorus, this airy space so popular with young Istanbulites borders the university of the same name.
    • Yildiz Park - In the very north of the city, set on a hill and planted with rare species of trees, it is wonderfully romantic with its small lakes and kiosks.
    • Banks of the Bosphorus - Linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, the strait is also the natural border between Europe and Asia. Its palace-lined banks offer some lovely walks.

    Museums

    • Topkapi Palace - Former residence of the sultans - a labyrinth of courtyards, gardens and mausoleums - has been transformed into a museum housing rich treasures including the Kasikçi, a diamond the size of an apricot!
    • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art - Housed in a former Ottoman palace that was once the residence of viziers and later a prison, this museum is home to countless masterpieces, including marble, ceramics and carpets.
    • Museum of Antiquities - Housed in a 19th-century palace, it features a fine collection of objects dating from the Greco-Roman era to the Byzantine Middle Ages.
    • The Tiled Pavilion Museum - A must for all lovers of Ottoman ceramics.
    • Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam - A museum dedicated to the sciences from the 9th to the 16th centuries: astronomy, geometry, medicine, etc.
    • Museum of Modern Art - Located on the banks of the Bosphorus, in a warehouse in the old docks. It features works by Turkish artists from the 19th century to the present day.
    • Naval Museum - Just a stone's throw from Maçka Park, on the banks of the Bosphorus, this is a reminder of the power of the Turkish navy over the centuries.
    • Santral Istanbul - Converted into a museum of contemporary art, this former electricity factory has renovated its machine room and now exhibits modern works.
  • Gastronomy in Istanbul

    Gastronomy in Turkey

    • Mezze - This name covers a multitude of hors d'oeuvres: börek (puff pastry) with cheese or meat, cacik (made with yoghurt and cucumber) or dolma (stuffed vine leaves). 
    • Tripe soup - A Turkish speciality, served as a starter in traditional restaurants.
    • Kebab - Now an international favourite, the Turkish sandwich (lamb or beef grilled on a vertical spit) is even better when eaten at any time of day in Istanbul!
    • Pide - A kind of pizza without the tomato sauce, topped with meat, cheese... 
    • Börek - A savoury pastry filled with cheese, meat or spinach... 
    • Kumpir - Baked potato stuffed with cheese.
    • Güveç - A stew of mutton, beef and chicken, simmered in an earthenware dish. 
    • Fish - Red mullet, sardines, mullet or sea bream are served grilled.

    Desserts

    • Beyaz peynir - A cheese in the feta family.
    • Bavlaka - Puff pastry with walnuts or pistachios, topped with honey.
    • Künefe - Angel hair dessert filled with cheese. 
    • Loukoums - The sweet treat par excellence! With hazelnut, pistachio or rose, you can buy them just about anywhere, especially in the Egyptian bazaar...

    Drinks

    • Turkish coffee - Enjoyed at any time of day, it is heated with the coffee grounds. Very strong, true connoisseurs enjoy it without sugar.  
    • Black tea - Cultivated on the shores of the Black Sea. 
    • Raki - An aniseed-flavoured drink made from sultanas, reminiscent of Greek ouzo.
    • Wine* - Turkey produces excellent wines, particularly on the Aegean coast (in the Izmir region) and on the shores of the Sea of Marmara. 
    • Boza - A creamy drink made from fermented millet.

    *alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation

Unmissable events in Istanbul

  • April
    Istanbul Tulip Festival.
  • May
    Traditional Spring Festival.
  • June
    Istanbul Chill-Out Festival (electronic music festival).
  • July
    Istanbul International Jazz Festival.
  • August
    30 August - Victory Day (over the Greeks, in 1922).
  • October
    29 October - Republic Day (proclaimed in 1923).

Unusual thing to do in Istanbul

Unique experience in Istanbul

To appreciate all the subtleties of the city or simply admire the palaces lining the Bosphorus, don't hesitate to hop on a ferry, which is used here like a taxi. Several companies also offer sightseeing cruises.

The Pera Palace is the ideal spot for a drink or, better still, an overnight stay. The Compagnie des Wagons-Lits built this hotel in 1892 to accommodate passengers on the Orient-Express. Legend has it that Agatha Christie wrote "The Crime of the Orient Express" here.

The more peaceful Asian side of the city is well worth a diversion, to the Kadikoÿ district for example. Climb the cobbled streets and hop on the old red tram. Antique shops and patisseries, bookshops and traditional cafés line the pavements, all the way to the Sali Pazari flea market.

Useful link for your trip to Istanbul

Make your trip easier

To go further

  • Travel assistance

    All the information you need to travel: rights, advice, information on underage travellers and pet travel

    formalities montpellier airport
  • Luggage

    Preparing your hand luggage or hold luggage in important step before your trip. That's why it's essential to know how to prepare your luggage properly.

    luggage montpellier airport
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