Tours and Excursions in Istanbul

Frequently Asked Questions

A complete list of questions about the tours and excursions can be found on the general FAQ page in the "Tours and Excursions" section.

• How will the COVID-19 situation affect my vacation?

  In order to ensure proper physical distancing, some excursions may not be available or have a limit on the number of guests.

  Since the situation is constantly updated, the most recent and relevant information about the restrictions can be found here.

• What's the best time of year to visit Istanbul?

  Istanbul is a popular destination all year round, although summer can get very hot and winter is usually cold and rainy with the occasional snow flurry.

  Spring and autumn months are best advised for a pleasant temperature and less crowding at the major sites.

• How should I dress in Istanbul?

  Turkish dress sense is generally westernised although revealing clothing is not very common in Istanbul (nightclubs along the Bosphorus are more of an exception). As a secular state, Turkey is tolerant of other cultures and religions.

  Female visitors are not expected to don a head scarf, unless they are visiting a mosque and scarves are usually available to borrow. Shorts tend to be kept for the beach and not commonly seen in the city. When visiting mosque, men must wear trousers or long shorts covering the knees.

• What to do in Istanbul?

  Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and offers many sites and things to experience. As well as the many markets and bazaars on offer, we would recommend taking a trip to the sites of the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) and Topkapi Palace. Get more ideas from our website.

• What is it like as a non-Muslim visiting Turkey?

  While Turkey is a largely Muslim country and some are strict followers of Islam, there are many more moderate Muslims and also smaller minorities of Christian and Jewish faiths.

  As a secular state, Turkey is generally very open and welcoming to other cultures, and it is rare to experience any problems as a non-Muslim in Turkey.

• Is Istanbul safe?

  Compared to most western countries, Istanbul is a safe city. The incidence of violent crime against foreigners is very low and few visitors to the city experience any problems. There are some scams and pickpockets operating (more so in the tourist-heavy areas) so you should exercise usual caution.

• Is Istanbul easy to get around?

  Despite its huge size and number of waterways and hills, Istanbul is reasonably easy to get around. There are a large number of transport options such as bus, minibus, dolmus, tram, metro, metrobus and ferry.