Istanbul holidays
Find and compare the best Istanbul holiday deals
Departure
19 May 2024 I'm flexibleNights
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14Board
All-inclusive Full-board Half-board Breakfast Self catering Room onlyStar rating
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£699pp | 10-night Turkey tour, inc Istanbul & Cappadocia
This action-packed tour from Exoticca covers the most unmissable destinations in the country including Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, the ruins of Ephesus, Troy and much more! From £699 per person (and now with 50% off the regular price), your flights, daily breakfast, transfers and nine different excursions are all included too!
About Istanbul
Straddling two continents, Istanbul offers an intoxicating blend of east and west. Civilisations have left their mark and can be seen today in the city's fascinating potpourri of architectural styles.
Food and drink
Dine out along the shores of the Marmara or the Bosphorus and enjoy seafood, kebabs and sweet delicacies, or visit a 'gazino' for a dinner and cabaret show. The network of side streets around Istiklal Caddesi are home to hundreds of great value and authentic Turkish restaurants and bars.
Shopping
For shopaholics, the Grand Bazaar - the largest and most attractive covered bazaar in the world - houses a maze of streets containing 4,000 shops and stalls. Leather goods, rugs, carpets and silver jewellery are all good buys and you must join the locals as haggling is expected. For a more European feel, try the Taksim district of the city, a long pedestrian shopping street leading to Taksim Square where you will be surrounded by restaurants and bars. Alternatively you can enjoy the colour and aromas of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar.
Books inspired by Istanbul
Our hand-picked selection of books to get you in the mood for your Istanbul holiday
Istanbul Blog posts
From the UK's most popular travel bloggers
32 BEST Cafes in Istanbul! Cool, Quirky, Great Coffee in Istanbul Cafes
22nd August 2023 by The Wandering Quinn
Istanbul is home to a plethora of fantastic cafes that are worth checking out. Having lived there and kept up with friends who frequently visit, a comprehensive list of the best cafes in Istanbul has been compiled. These cafes are not only cool and quirky, but they also serve great coffee. So, if you're planning a trip to Istanbul in 2023, make sure to visit these top-notch cafes!...
Istanbul in Winter: Your ultimate travel guide
10th October 2022 by Inside the Travel Lab
If you’re looking for a new travel destination to explore in winter, look no further than Istanbul! While most of Europe suffers from cold and bleak winters, the winters in Istanbul are mild, thanks to its location in the Mediterranean Basin. Though it does occasionally snow in Istanbul, visitors can still enjoy the city’s best attractions, whether that is the interesting history, rich culture, or mouth-watering food. ...
36 BEST things to do in Istanbul with insider tips
3rd October 2022 by The Wandering Quinn
Looking for the best things to do in Istanbul to fill your trip? The best neighbourhoods to check out, the best mosques to see, how to see Asia and Europe in one day in Istanbul and some really cool cafes!? I’ve got you covered in this complete list of Istanbul attractions and some more local places to go!...
12 best boutique hotels in Istanbul
15th August 2022 by PommieTravels
Once the capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul has a very rich and interesting history and is filled with interesting sights to explore. Mosques, bazaars, palaces, gardens, hammams, Turkish coffee…there’s so much to experience in this vibrant city. While Istanbul may not be Turkey’s capital today (that would be Ankara), Istanbul is still the country’s economic, historic and cultural capital. It’s a cosmopolitan city with a trendy vibe, boasting lots...
2 days in Istanbul: Perfect Istanbul itinerary (with places to eat!)
11th August 2022 by PommieTravels
I initially planned to spend three days in Istanbul but due to time constraints I needed to cut my trip short to two days. Most people seem to say you need three days or more to see Istanbul but if you’re willing to get up early in the morning then you can totally see the most popular parts of Istanbul in two days. I’ve done this exact itinerary myself so I know it’s entirely possible. ...
The best alternative European city breaks
18th May 2022 by Twins that Travel
What do you do when you’ve exhausted Europe’s traditional hit list of city breaks? When you’ve seen the glittering lights of Paris, ridden your bike through Amsterdam’s winding lanes and explored Berlin’s hipster neighbourhoods? Which alternative European city breaks should you plan next? Over the years, we’ve explored as much as Europe as possible; working our way through the usual suspects, before embarking on some more alternative European weekend breaks....
6 of the best food cities in Southern Europe
6th April 2022 by Emily Luxton
Calling all foodies! This is my round up of the best food cities in Southern Europe! These destinations are known as foodie hotspots, so they’re all must-visits for anyone who loves to eat. Also known as Meditteranean Europe, this part of the continent has a rich culture and some seriously amazing cuisines. After all, this region is home to Italy, Spain, and Greece - three countries loved for their incredible food!...
Weather in Istanbul
Our month-by-month guide to the weather and climate in Istanbul
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