Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
15.7M
Population
5,343 km2
Area
233 Mbps
Internet
100m
Elevation
UTC+03:00
Timezone
ISL (12km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population. It is a city on two continents; about two-thirds of its population live in E...
QUICK FACTS
Country
Turkey
Region
Western Asia
Population
15.7M
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Elevation
100 m
Currency
TRY
Language
Turkish
Airport
ISL
GPS
41.01, 28.95
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Food
3,611 restaurants mapped in Istanbul
Tech
233 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
Economy
56% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
INFRASTRUCTURE
36,230 total POIs 6.8 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
3,611
Cafes
2,837
Bars
384
Fast Food
1,420
Shopping
Supermarkets
1,902
Convenience
1,631
Shopping Malls
291
Healthcare
Hospitals
227
Clinics
548
Pharmacies
2,391
Education
Schools
1,414
Universities
139
Libraries
192
Recreation
Parks
2,046
Playgrounds
754
Sports
1,079
Cinemas
34
Museums
138
Theatres
66
Transport
Bus Stops
4,812
Train Stations
289
Fuel Stations
285
Services
Banks
1,110
ATMs
1,050
Post Offices
200
Police
124
Fire Stations
45
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
233 Mbps
Download
101 Mbps
Upload
7ms
Latency
258,310
Tests
80,950
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: May - Sep
9°
J
10°
F
13°
M
17°
A
21°
M
24°
J
26°
J
24°
A
21°
S
17°
O
13°
N
10°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 17.2 C Range: 8.8 - 25.5 C Rain: 721 mm/year Sunshine: 3,305 h/year
CITY SCORES
99.0
Nomad Index
A
Livability
37.5
Culture
64.4
Overall
COST OF LIVING
CIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
43.8
Overall
56% cheaper than NYC
21.8
Rent
78% cheaper than NYC
41.7
Groceries
58% cheaper than NYC
46.8
Restaurants
53% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
ISL
İstanbul Atatürk Airport
12 km from center
Very close — ~18 min ride
FUN FACTS
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center.
With a population over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey.
Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population.
It is a city on two continents; about two-thirds of its population live in Europe and the rest in Asia.
Byzantium was founded on the Sarayburnu promontory by Greek colonists, potentially in the seventh century BC.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Istanbul known for?
Istanbul is a city in Turkey. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Istanbul?
Istanbul has an average download speed of 233 Mbps and upload speed of 101 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Istanbul?
Istanbul has an average year-round temperature of approximately 17.2 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Istanbul?
Istanbul is served by ISL (İstanbul Atatürk Airport), approximately 12 km from the city center.
What is the population of Istanbul?
The population of Istanbul is approximately 15.7M.
What infrastructure does Istanbul have?
Istanbul has 36,230 mapped points of interest, including 3,611 restaurants, 227 hospitals, 1,414 schools.
What country is Istanbul in?
Istanbul is located in Turkey.
