Short answer: Yes — and honestly, it ruined every other city for us a little bit.
We’ve both lived in Istanbul for three years, and we still talk about it almost daily. Istanbul is one of those cities that is unforgettable from the moment you step outside Istanbul airport. It gets under your skin in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re riding a ferry crossing two continents, while feeding a simit to the seagulls you bought for next to nothing from a street cart.
But we also want to be honest with you. Istanbul is not a simple city to travel. Its BIG, it’s loud, it’s gotten more expensive, and the crowds at the big sites can genuinely test your patience. So here’s our real take.
What Makes Istanbul So Special
It Genuinely Straddles Two Worlds
Istanbul is the only city in the world that sits across two continents, Europe on one side of the Bosphorus, Asia on the other. The European side has grand Ottoman palaces and Byzantine churches. The Asian side (Kadıköy especially) with its street food, mosques filled with locals praying (not just tourists) and the best views of the bosphorus, feels like a completely different, more local city. Taking the ferry between them, which is a lot cheaper with an IstanbulKart vs a private yacht, is one of the best things you can do. (Don’t forget to buy some extra bread to feed the birds)
The History Is Staggering
Three empires — Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman — each left their mark on this city. The Hagia Sophia, one the holiest sites for christians, tells the whole story. It was built as a Christian cathedral in 537 but was converted to a mosque when Istanbul was conquered in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II. In recent years the Hagia Sophia became a museum, but now has turned back into a mosque again. Be sure to check the prayer timings specially if you plan on visiting on Friday afternoon, as the hagia sophia will be closed for tourists during Friday prayers.
The Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye — and that’s just the Old City. Istanbul has more history per square kilometre than almost anywhere we’ve ever been. Be sure to allocate plenty of time for visiting the sites in the old city. Although they are within 5 minutes walking distance to each other, once you step inside an attraction, a few hours can fly by very quickly.
The Food Is Genuinely World-Class
Istanbul is perfect for foodies like us, if you know where to eat! Contrary to popular belief, the best food in Istanbul is NOT on the European side, but rather on the Asian side in neighborhoods like kadikoy, and uskudar. Turkish breakfast alone is worth the trip to the Asian side of Istanbul, bread, cheese, olives, honey, eggs, pastries, all arriving at once in little dishes so you don’t need to choose amongst the variety but rather taste everything.
Beyond breakfast: fresh fish sandwiches on the Bosphorus, gözleme (flatbread) stuffed with spinach and cheese (our favorite), dolma (our other favorite), lahmacun, cups of çay that appear everywhere. Street food is still great value. Sit-down restaurants have gone up in price but are still reasonable by Western European standards.
Don’t even get us started on dessert. Baklava, kunefe, lokma, firin sutlac are just some of the local desserts you can try from amongst the many that istanbul has to offer.
(Local tip is to get baklava from Karakoy Güllüoğlu, this is where all the locals go and the tourists don’t know about it)
The Energy Is Unmatched
Istanbul moves fast, it’s chaotic and you can feel it. It’s one of the world’s largest cities, and if you don’t have a plan of where you need to go and what you need to see you will waste precious time navigating the neighborhoods. But there’s something electric about it that we find completely addictive — the call to prayer floating over the rooftops at dawn and throughout the day, the Grand Bazaar (4,000+ shops under one roof), the cats that seem to live on every corner and in every mosque, the ferries and trams and the constant hum of a city that never quite stops.
The Honest Downsides
It Has Gotten More Expensive
Let’s not pretend otherwise. Istanbul used to be one of Europe’s great budget destinations. That’s changed. As of 2026, a meal out costs around 200- 400 TL per person at a mid-range restaurant. Entrance fees at major attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, and the Basilica Cistern add up quickly and are increasing on a yearly basis.
It’s still better value than Paris or London, but it’s no longer the budget bargain it once was.
The Big Sites Get Very Crowded
Summer crowds at Hagia Sophia and Topkapı can mean 30–60 minute queues at peak times. Go early (before 10am) and you’ll have a much better experience. Spring and autumn (April–May and September–October) are noticeably better for this.
It Takes Some Navigating
Istanbul is huge and sprawling. The historic sites are concentrated, but the city spreads across hills on both sides of the Bosphorus. Public transportation is actually quite good — trams, metro, buses, and ferries all run well — but it does require a little planning.
So, Is Istanbul Worth It?
For us, completely! It was once our home and will always be. Istanbul is one of those rare cities where the history, the food, the scenery, and the sheer energy all hit at once. You can stand in a 1,500-year-old mosque in the morning, eat the best lunch of your life at noon, take a ferry between continents in the afternoon, and watch the sun go down over the skyline with a glass of Turkish tea in hand (we prefer coffee)
It works for first-timers, history lovers, food obsessives, couples, families, and solo travellers. We’ve recommended it to everyone we know, and nobody has come back disappointed.
Quick Facts
Best time to visit: April–May or September–October
Minimum stay: 5 days
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). Cards widely accepted but carry some cash.
Getting around: IstanbulKart for trams, metro, buses, and ferries
Language: Turkish — English widely spoken in tourist areas only
Safety: Generally safe. Watch belongings in crowded areas like the Grand Bazaar.
We’re two sisters who’ve lived in Istanbul for three years and keep wanting to go back. Got questions? Reach out to us via email.