Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Turkey

Istanbul's historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural legacy can be attributed to its ideal strategic location, spanning the Bosphorus straits that divide Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year history, the city (initially known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and since 1930, Istanbul) has been a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is predominantly Turkish, with many of its residents being recent migrants from rural Turkey, drawn by the prospect of employment and career opportunities in this dynamic, rapidly expanding city. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of the country, it remains Turkey's economic and cultural hub - a status emphasized by its designation as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the UNESCO World Heritage recognition of many of its key landmarks. These range from breathtaking Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs, to the pillars of Hellenistic temples and the remnants of enormous medieval city walls. However, Istanbul offers more than just Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has led to a thriving arts and music scene, with an abundance of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants, and designer fashion stores.
Recommended airport
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Points of interest
  • Theodosi Cistern
  • Walls of Constantinople
  • Archeological Park
Nearby destinations
  • Beyoglu a 2.28 km
  • Yalova a 48.83 km
  • Fatih a 0.63 km

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Image - Turkey's 3 Seas and Classical Greece (2027)

Turkey's 3 Seas and Classical Greece (2027)

24 Destinations 16 Nights
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US$7,778
US$3,889 Per person
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Destinations
Istanbul · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Safranbolu · Zonguldak · Eregli · Istanbul · Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Patras · Olympia · Mycenae · Nauplia · Epidauro · Poros · Athens
Image - Turkey's 3 Seas with Athens and Meteora (2027)

Turkey's 3 Seas with Athens and Meteora (2027)

18 Destinations 14 Nights
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US$6,900
US$3,450 Per person
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Destinations
Istanbul · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Safranbolu · Zonguldak · Eregli · Istanbul · Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Athens
Image - Peloponnese and Turkey's 3 Seas (2027)

Peloponnese and Turkey's 3 Seas (2027)

18 Destinations 14 Nights
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US$6,900
US$3,450 Per person
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Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Athens · Istanbul · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Safranbolu · Zonguldak · Eregli · Istanbul
Image - Peloponnese and Turkish Mosaic (2027)

Peloponnese and Turkish Mosaic (2027)

28 Destinations 21 Nights
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US$9,976
US$4,988 Per person
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Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Patras · Olympia · Mycenae · Nauplia · Epidauro · Poros · Athens · Istanbul · Ankara · Cappadocia · Aksaray · Konya · Isparta · Pamukkale, Turkey · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Safranbolu · Zonguldak · Eregli · Istanbul
Image - Northern Greece, Turkey and the Greek Islands (2027)

Northern Greece, Turkey and the Greek Islands (2027)

11 Destinations 15 Nights
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US$7,340
US$3,670 Per person
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Destinations
Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Athens · Istanbul · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Rhode Island · Heraklion, Greece · Santorini Island · Athens
Image - Turkish Mosaic and Classical Greece (2027)

Turkish Mosaic and Classical Greece (2027)

28 Destinations 20 Nights
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US$9,539
US$4,769 Per person
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Destinations
Istanbul · Ankara · Cappadocia · Aksaray · Konya · Isparta · Pamukkale, Turkey · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Safranbolu · Zonguldak · Eregli · Istanbul · Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Patras · Olympia · Mycenae · Nauplia · Epidauro · Poros · Athens
Image - Turkish Mosaic with Athens and Meteora (2027)

Turkish Mosaic with Athens and Meteora (2027)

22 Destinations 18 Nights
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US$8,658
US$4,329 Per person
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Destinations
Istanbul · Ankara · Cappadocia · Aksaray · Konya · Isparta · Pamukkale, Turkey · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Bodrum · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Safranbolu · Zonguldak · Eregli · Istanbul · Athens · Kamena Vourla · Delphi · Athens
Image - Greek Gems and Turkish tour (2027)

Greek Gems and Turkish tour (2027)

25 Destinations 17 Nights
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US$7,384
US$3,692 Per person
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Destinations
Athens · Delphi · Patras · Olympia · Mycenae · Nauplia · Epidauro · Poros · Athens · Rhode Island · Marmaris · Dalyan · Antalya · Belek · Side · Konya · Nigde · Cappadocia · Aksaray · Konya · Isparta · Pamukkale, Turkey · Selcuk · Kusadasi · Izmir · Bursa · Istanbul