A weekend guide to Istanbul

Istanbul spans two continents and packs enough into a compact historic core that it works well as a short city break, not just a long-haul destination. Many of the major sights — the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar — sit close enough together to cover on foot over a couple of days.

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) typically offer milder temperatures than the height of summer, which makes walking between sights considerably more comfortable. Summer can get hot and crowded at the best-known landmarks; winter is quieter but colder and wetter.

Istanbul is also a common long-layover stop for travellers connecting onward across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. If your layover is long enough to leave the airport, the historic peninsula is a manageable taxi or metro ride away — just build in enough buffer to clear security again on the way back.

Whatever the season, it's worth checking visa and entry requirements for your nationality well ahead of time, since they can change and aren't something a flight search can tell you.