Book flights to Istanbul
Formerly Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul echoes antiquity, in its ancient mosques, palaces, spectacular monuments and traditional bazaars. Fly to Istanbul and you will discover a modern European city with world-class dining and entertainment.
Book a flight ticket to Istanbul with Qatar Airways for an exotic encounter with a true Turkish delight.
Istanbul
View Flight Schedule
Istanbul travel highlights
The Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and the Ottoman Topkapi Palace will resonate with history buffs, while the charming bustle of the Grand Bazaar awaits the bargain hunter; welcome to Istanbul.
-
Tourist attractions
Many of Istanbul’s most famous sights and attractions lie within Sultanahmet – the Old City. When the city was called Constantinople it was the heart of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire – the crossroads between East and West. In the old city you will find the Hippodrome, built by Septimius Severius, and a legendary venue for chariot-racing.
Nearby is Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, the former seat of Ottoman power. No trip to the city would be complete without admiring the architectural scale of the Haghia Sophia, Istanbul’s famous domed church.
The Galata Bridge links the old Istanbul with the new, and is a prominent landmark in itself. The elevator to the top of the Galata Tower provides panoramic views of the city. Within New Istanbul you will find the city’s skyscrapers, as well as more modern attractions such as the 19th-century Dolmabahce Palace and the Naval Museum. -
Leisure activities
To give your trip to Istanbul a real Turkish flavour, visit one of the city’s many hamams, or Turkish baths. In the hamam you will start by relaxing in a warm room, after which you are given a full-body rinse in cool water. This is followed by body-washing and a soothing massage, before retiring to a “cooling room”. Istanbul has dozens of hamams, many of which have been in operation for centuries.
The city is stocked with a variety of tea and coffee lounges where you can enjoy the famed traditional Turkish hot drinks. To accompany your beverage, try a hookah pipe (or nargile as it is known in Turkey), a popular leisure activity for tourists and locals alike.
Istanbul is located on the edge of the Bosphorus, and there are several boat trips that give you an alternative perspective on the city. -
Food
Turkish cuisine will be familiar to anyone who has ever eaten a kebab, but there is far more on offer in Istanbul than the globe-trotting doner. Kebabs come in dozens of variations, from the spicy adana to the aubergine-rich alinazik.
In the Galata area of the city you will find everything from kebab snack stalls to exclusive rooftop-terrace dining. -
Shopping
In a city where East meets West and old meets new, you will find almost every imaginable shopping experience. In New Istanbul is a scattering of modern shopping centres where just about anything can be bought.
The Old City is the place to go for a taste of authentic Turkish shopping, among the many traditional bazaars. The Grand Bazaar is the most famous, but prices here can be higher than in some of the smaller markets, so it pays to shop around. Remember that haggling is common here, so be prepared to spend a while debating prices with stallholders to get the best deals.
Many visitors return from their travels to Istanbul with a variety of flavours of Turkish Delight and at least one traditional rug.
Essential facts about Istanbul
Enjoy a hassle-free journey with all the information you need to know before your tripFlight FAQ
To get the best price on your {Destination} flights, it is recommended that you book well in advance of your departure date, as booking early means you are likely to secure the flight you want with your preferred departure and arrival times.
You can buy Business Class tickets to {Destination}, or First Class tickets on some flights. When you book in premium (First or Business Class), you can look forward to exceptional levels of luxury and comfort, with wide seats (fully reclining on some aircraft), unparalleled attention from our cabin crew, the latest in-flight entertainment and a sumptuous on-demand menu. You can view all flight features during flight selection when you book your ticket at qatarairways.com to choose the flight that best suits your needs.
Qatar Airways operates direct flights to {Destination} from Doha, Qatar. Flights departing from other cities will stop in transit at the state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. The airport is home to a myriad of entertainment, shopping and relaxation venues where you can take a break from your journey, stretch your legs and rejuvenate before your connecting flight. You can check our timetable for flight times and frequency.
Qatar Airways operates direct flights to Doha, Qatar. You can check our timetable for flight times and frequency.
Qatar Airways operates direct flights to {Destination}. You can check our timetable for flight times and frequency.
Voted the World’s Best Airline in 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012 and 2011 and the winner of a host of awards for on-board services and passenger experience, Qatar Airways puts your comfort and safety above everything else. Our modern aircraft are designed to provide you with extra legroom, greater comfort, and a higher standard of service throughout your flight.
From the moment you are welcomed on board by our friendly, professional crew to the moment you arrive in {Destination}, our unparalleled level of service and facilities will offer you an exceptional experience in the sky. Relax in reclining seats that have that all-important extra legroom, and choose your favourite dishes from a menu of delicious cuisine made from the finest ingredients. With thousands of in-flight entertainment options and a host of other services, we make sure your passenger experience is one that you will remember for all the right reasons.
From the moment you are welcomed on board by our friendly, professional crew to the moment you arrive in {Destination}, our unparalleled level of service and facilities will offer you an exceptional experience in the sky. Relax in reclining seats that have that all-important extra legroom, and choose your favourite dishes from a menu of delicious cuisine made from the finest ingredients. With thousands of in-flight entertainment options and a host of other services, we make sure your passenger experience is one that you will remember for all the right reasons.