Tehran vs Istanbul - City Size Comparison

Is Tehran Bigger Than Istanbul?

In terms of area, Istanbul is 7.5x the size of Tehran. Istanbul spans 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) while Tehran covers 730 km² (282 mi²) — a difference of 4,731 km². You could fit Tehran inside Istanbul approximately 7 times.

About Tehran

Iran's capital and largest city. Known as "The City of 72 Nations", Tehran covers 730 km² with a population of 9.1 million. The city was established in 1524. Tehran is known for Golestan Palace, Grand Bazaar, Milad Tower, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Tehran Metro.

Tehran sits at the foot of Mount Damavand, the highest volcano in Asia at 5,610 meters

About Istanbul

Turkey's largest city, spanning Europe and Asia. Also known as "The City on Two Continents", Istanbul has an area of 5,461 km² and is home to 15.5 million people. It was founded around 660 BC. Visitors come for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Istanbul Metro.

Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents — Europe and Asia

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Istanbul metropolitan area covers 5,461 km², which is 2.4x larger than greater Tehran at 2,235 km². The Tehran metro area is also more populous, with 16.0 million people compared to 15.5 million.

Population Density

Tehran has a population density of 12,507 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Istanbul, with 2,831 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Tehran is dramatically more crowded, with 4.4x the population density.

Climate & Time Zone

Tehran has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate while Istanbul experiences oceanic conditions.