How Big Is Istanbul?

Turkey · Europe

Area

5,461 km²

2,109 mi²

Population

15.5M

Metro: 15.5M

Density

2,831/km²

Founded

660 BC

Istanbul Size Overview

Istanbul covers an area of 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) in Turkey, Europe. Turkey's largest city, spanning Europe and Asia. The city is often called "The City on Two Continents". To put this in perspective, Istanbul is about 1.2x smaller than Shanghai.

With a population of 15.5 million (15.5 million in the metropolitan area), Istanbul has a population density of 2,831 people per km².

Istanbul has a history stretching back to around 660 BC. The city is renowned for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Bosphorus strait.

Istanbul has a oceanic climate, with summer temperatures averaging 24°C and winters around 6°C. The city's main public transit system is the Istanbul Metro.

Did You Know?

  • Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents — Europe and Asia
  • The Grand Bazaar has over 4,000 shops and is one of the oldest covered markets in the world

Compare Istanbul with Other Cities

Istanbul vs Moscow

2,511 km² · Russia

Istanbul vs Cairo

3,085 km² · Egypt

Istanbul vs Tehran

730 km² · Iran

Compare Istanbul with any city using our interactive map tool.

Frequently Asked Questions about Istanbul