TRAVEL
Where continents, cultures and centuries come together.
Istanbul
Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city and its cultural and economic hub, is a dynamic global metropolis where Europe and Asia meet. Strategically located on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul has served for centuries as a crossroads of civilizations, cultures and international exchange.
Covering an area of approximately 5,500 km² and home to nearly 16 million people, Istanbul is Türkiye’s most populous city and one of the world’s major metropolitan centres. Its unique transcontinental location, combined with its historical legacy and contemporary urban character, gives the city a distinctive identity shaped by both East and West.
Istanbul offers an exceptional combination of cultural heritage and modern city life. Historic landmarks, palaces, mosques, churches, museums and centuries-old bazaars coexist with contemporary art and cultural venues, international festivals, vibrant neighbourhoods, restaurants, shopping districts and an extensive waterfront along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
The city is also one of Türkiye’s leading international tourism destinations. In 2025, Istanbul welcomed approximately 19 million foreign visitors, reflecting its strong global appeal and its capacity to host visitors from around the world.
Gastronomy is an integral part of the Istanbul experience. From traditional Turkish and Ottoman cuisine, street food and historic marketplaces to contemporary restaurants and international fine dining, the city offers a remarkably diverse culinary scene. Turkish coffee, Turkish delight, spices and other local flavours form part of this rich cultural experience.
Istanbul is equally renowned for its traditional crafts and shopping culture. The Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar and the city’s many shopping districts offer a wide variety of products, including hand-woven carpets and kilims, ceramics and tiles, textiles, jewellery, spices and traditional handicrafts.
Combining centuries of history with contemporary culture, exceptional gastronomy and the unique landscapes of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, Istanbul offers visitors an unforgettable experience where continents, cultures and centuries come together.
Gallery
History
Formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul has served as the capital of three great empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Its layered history is reflected in its architecture, traditions, and landmarks.
Between 324 and 1453, it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and from 1453 to 1922, it served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. For nearly 2,500 years, Istanbul has been a city envied by various economic, religious, and cultural powers.
Getting Here
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul combines global accessibility with an extensive urban transportation network, making it a highly convenient destination for international visitors.
Istanbul is an international gateway with two major airports, İstanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport; both can be used to travel to Istanbul for the Congress.
IST
Istanbul International Airport, opened in 2019, replaced the Istanbul Atatürk Airport and contributes to Istanbul becoming a hub between Asia and Europe with a higher capacity and state of the art handling services. It is among the largest and busiest in Europe, with direct flights to over 300 destinations worldwide.
The airport is located on the European side, in the northwest part of the city on the coast of the Black Sea.
SAW
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, opened in 2001, has been the hub for low-cost international and domestic flights to and from Istanbul. The airport is located on the Asian side, in the southeast part of the city, serving both domestic and international routes. Although its distance to the city is similar to that of Istanbul International Airport, travelling by car might take longer due to Bosphorus bridge traffic.
01 / 07
Operator Metro Istanbul (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality)
Metro, tram, funicular and cable car lines cover the city's major districts on both sides of the Bosphorus.
The M11 line connects Istanbul Airport to the metro network, and the M4 line reaches Sabiha Gökçen Airport. A network map is available at stations and on the Metro Istanbul website.
02 / 07
Operator İETT (Istanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel)
An extensive bus network, including express and night lines. Metrobüs is a rapid bus transit line running on a dedicated lane across the city, from Beylikdüzü to Söğütlüçeşme. Route planner and timetables are available on the İETT website.
03 / 07
Operator TCDD Taşımacılık
A commuter rail line running under the Bosphorus between Halkalı on the European side and Gebze on the Asian side, connecting both sides of the city. Ideal for longer distances.
04 / 07
Operator Şehir Hatları (City Lines) and private operators such as Dentur Avrasya and Turyol
Public ferries are a scenic and efficient way to cross the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, with frequent departures from piers such as Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy and Üsküdar.
05 / 07
A contactless smart card used on all public transport: metro, tram, Metrobüs, buses, Marmaray, ferries, funiculars and cable cars. Simply tap it on the card reader at the turnstile or on board.
Visitors can buy an anonymous (non-personalised) İstanbulkart from the machines at stations and piers and top it up at kiosks, machines, online or via the mobile app. Transfers within a short time are discounted. Contactless bank cards are also accepted at many turnstiles, but İstanbulkart remains the simplest option across all modes.
06 / 07
07 / 07
Discover
Istanbul offers visitors an exceptional cultural experience beyond the congress programme. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the city brings together a remarkable combination of historical heritage, architecture, art, gastronomy, shopping and contemporary urban culture. From the Historic Peninsula and the Bosphorus to Beyoğlu, the Golden Horn, historic bazaars and the Princes’ Islands, Istanbul offers diverse experiences within a single metropolitan destination.
Istanbul’s cultural identity extends well beyond its historic monuments. The city has a dynamic contemporary arts scene, with modern and contemporary art museums, galleries, exhibition and concert venues, as well as an extensive calendar of international festivals and cultural events. This combination of heritage and contemporary creativity gives visitors the opportunity to experience both the historic and modern character of Istanbul.
Cultural Attractions
Topkapı Palace
Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Grand Bazaar
Gözlüce Aqueduct
Cağaloğlu Hammam
Beylerbeyi Palace
Ihlamur Summer Palace
Hidiv Summer Palace
Küçüksu Summer Palace
German Fountain in Fatih
Ayvad Dam
Dolmabahçe Palace
Valens Aqueduct
Theodosius Obelisk
Galata Tower
Maiden’s Tower