Current Time in Istanbul
About Istanbul
Istanbul is located in Turkey, in the Northern Hemisphere, and is one of the most populous cities in the world with a population of around 15,701,602. It runs on Europe/Istanbul time, currently UTC+3:00 relative to UTC. Istanbul does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so this offset stays fixed year-round.
- CountryTurkey
- Population15,701,602
- Latitude41.0138°
- Longitude28.9497°
- Time zoneEurope/Istanbul
- Current UTC offsetUTC+3:00
- Daylight Saving TimeNot observed
Sunrise & Sunset in Istanbul Today
For Sunday, October 11, 2026, calculated from Istanbul's own coordinates.
Sunrise
Sunset
Daylight
Seasons in Istanbul
Approximate dates — the exact moment a season begins shifts by about a day from year to year.
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Top Places to Visit in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia has stood on Istanbul's historic peninsula since 537 AD, built as a Byzantine cathedral, converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, secularized as a museum in the 20th century, and reconverted to an active mosque in 2020. Its dome, 107 feet wide and among the most ambitious engineering feats of its era, has survived earthquakes and centuries of political change largely intact. Inside, Christian mosaics of Byzantine emperors and the Virgin Mary sit alongside massive Islamic calligraphy roundels bearing the names of Allah, Muhammad and the early caliphs, a rare visual record of the building's layered religious history. As an active mosque, visiting hours are structured around prayer times, and modest dress is required for all visitors regardless of faith.
Take the M11 metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 line toward Yenikapi, exit at Vezneciler, and continue on foot or connect to the T1 tram toward Sultanahmet.
From Sirkeci railway station, take the T1 tram two stops to Sultanahmet, a short walk from Hagia Sophia.
From Esenler Otogar (the main intercity bus terminal), take the M1A metro to Zeytinburnu, transfer to the T1 tram, and ride to Sultanahmet.
Blue Mosque
Officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 to rival Hagia Sophia, which stands directly across the square from it. It's one of the only mosques in the world with six minarets, a design choice that reportedly caused controversy at the time since it matched the count at Mecca's Grand Mosque. Its nickname comes from the more than 20,000 handmade blue Iznik tiles lining the interior, which shift in color and pattern as the light changes through the day. It remains an active place of worship, so it closes to visitors briefly during the five daily prayers, and entry is free through a separate tourist entrance on the square's south side facing the old Hippodrome.
Take the M11 metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 toward Yenikapi, exit at Vezneciler, and connect to the T1 tram to Sultanahmet, a short walk from the mosque.
From Sirkeci railway station, take the T1 tram two stops to Sultanahmet.
From Esenler Otogar, take the M1A metro to Zeytinburnu, transfer to the T1 tram, and ride to Sultanahmet.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace was the primary residence and seat of government for Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, from the 15th century until the mid-1800s. Spread across a series of courtyards on a promontory overlooking the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, the complex houses the Imperial Treasury, with the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond and the emerald-studded Topkapi Dagger, along with the Sacred Relics section, which holds artifacts attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Imperial Harem, home to the sultan's family and hundreds of attendants, requires a separate ticket and is one of the palace's most visited sections. Because the grounds are extensive, a full visit with the Harem included typically takes half a day.
Take the M11 metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 toward Yenikapi, exit at Vezneciler, and connect to the T1 tram to Sultanahmet, then walk north past Hagia Sophia to the palace's main gate.
From Sirkeci railway station, take the T1 tram two stops to Sultanahmet and walk north.
From Esenler Otogar, take the M1A metro to Zeytinburnu, transfer to the T1 tram to Sultanahmet, then walk north to the palace gate.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, dating to the 1450s and now sprawling across more than 4,000 shops under vaulted, painted ceilings. Carpets, gold jewelry, ceramics, spices and leather goods fill its labyrinth of covered streets, each historically organized by trade, a layout that still shapes the market today even as tourist souvenirs have spread throughout. Bargaining is expected and part of the experience; starting an offer at roughly half the asking price is a common approach. It's easy to lose track of direction inside, so keeping a mental note of which gate you entered through helps considerably when it's time to leave.
Take the M11 metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 toward Yenikapi, exit at Vezneciler, and walk downhill, or connect to the T1 tram to the Beyazit-Kapalicarsi stop right outside the bazaar.
From Sirkeci railway station, take the T1 tram toward Bagcilar and get off at Beyazit-Kapalicarsi, at the bazaar's entrance.
From Esenler Otogar, take the M1A metro to Zeytinburnu, transfer to the T1 tram, and ride to Beyazit-Kapalicarsi.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is a sixth-century underground water reservoir built during the reign of Emperor Justinian, with 336 marble columns rising from the water to support a brick-vaulted ceiling. Once part of Constantinople's ancient water-supply system, feeding the Great Palace and surrounding buildings, it now sits quietly beneath the modern city, dimly lit and atmospheric enough that it doubled as a filming location for the 2016 film Inferno. Two column bases carved with the head of Medusa, positioned sideways and upside down for reasons that remain debated, are among its most photographed details. Wooden walkways let visitors move through the space without getting wet, and the cooler underground air offers a break from Istanbul's summer heat.
Take the M11 metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 toward Yenikapi, exit at Vezneciler, and connect to the T1 tram to Sultanahmet; the cistern entrance is a short walk from Hagia Sophia.
From Sirkeci railway station, take the T1 tram two stops to Sultanahmet and walk a few minutes to the entrance near Hagia Sophia.
From Esenler Otogar, take the M1A metro to Zeytinburnu, transfer to the T1 tram, and ride to Sultanahmet.
Turkey National Holidays
2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 |
| Ramazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr) | Fri, Mar 20 |
| National Sovereignty and Children's Day | Thu, Apr 23 |
| Labour and Solidarity Day | Fri, May 1 |
| Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day | Tue, May 19 |
| Kurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha) | Wed, May 27 |
| Victory Day | Sun, Aug 30 |
| Republic Day | Thu, Oct 29 |
2027
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Ramazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr) | Tue, Mar 9 |
| National Sovereignty and Children's Day | Fri, Apr 23 |
| Labour and Solidarity Day | Sat, May 1 |
| Kurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha) | Sun, May 16 |
| Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day | Wed, May 19 |
| Victory Day | Mon, Aug 30 |
| Republic Day | Fri, Oct 29 |
2028
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Sat, Jan 1 |
| Ramazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr) | Sat, Feb 26 |
| National Sovereignty and Children's Day | Sun, Apr 23 |
| Labour and Solidarity Day | Mon, May 1 |
| Kurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha) | Fri, May 5 |
| Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day | Fri, May 19 |
| Victory Day | Wed, Aug 30 |
| Republic Day | Sun, Oct 29 |
2029
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Mon, Jan 1 |
| Ramazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr) | Wed, Feb 14 |
| National Sovereignty and Children's Day | Mon, Apr 23 |
| Kurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha) | Tue, Apr 24 |
| Labour and Solidarity Day | Tue, May 1 |
| Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day | Sat, May 19 |
| Victory Day | Thu, Aug 30 |
| Republic Day | Mon, Oct 29 |
2030
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Tue, Jan 1 |
| Ramazan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr) | Mon, Feb 4 |
| Kurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha) | Sat, Apr 13 |
| National Sovereignty and Children's Day | Tue, Apr 23 |
| Labour and Solidarity Day | Wed, May 1 |
| Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day | Sun, May 19 |
| Victory Day | Fri, Aug 30 |
| Republic Day | Tue, Oct 29 |
Daylight Saving Time
Istanbul does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The UTC offset stays fixed at UTC+3:00 year-round.
Time Difference from Top 10 US Cities
Time Difference from Top 10 Cities Worldwide
Time Converters from Istanbul
Full hour-by-hour conversion, best time to call and daylight saving notes for Istanbul against 8 cities. Current difference shown against each.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Istanbul
What time zone is Istanbul in?
Istanbul, Turkey uses the Europe/Istanbul time zone. It is currently on UTC+3:00. The live local time is shown at the top of this page.
Does Istanbul observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Istanbul does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so it stays on UTC+3:00 all year round and never changes its clocks.
What time is sunrise and sunset in Istanbul today?
The sun rises at 7:11 AM and sets at 6:30 PM in Istanbul today, giving 11h 19m of daylight.
What is the time difference between Istanbul and New York City?
New York City is 7 hours behind Istanbul right now. The full comparison against other major cities is in the tables above.
What is the UTC offset for Istanbul?
Istanbul is currently UTC+3:00. This offset is fixed and does not change during the year.