Solo Female Travel in Istanbul

Istanbul is a vibrant city full of culture, history, and stunning architecture. From the iconic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to the bustling Grand Bazaar, there is something for everyone to explore. The city is home to some of the best food in the world, with a variety of traditional Turkish dishes and international cuisine.

Meet locals in Istanbul

Buse

Buse

Hey everyone, My name is Buse, I'm 21. I'm studying medicine in Istanbul. I'm a hiking, nature, art and travel enthusiast. I'm planning to visit all the countries in the world and I've started with countries close to Turkey. I was born and raised in Istanbul. I'd be really happy to help you, if you're planning to visit my city. I'm vegetarian and I'm in love with zero-waste and eco-friendly lifestyle. I love animals. I love partying. I hope we can have fun together 💜
Emy

Emy

Hey I'm Emy. I live in Istanbul. I'm currently studying translation and interpreting in the university. I born and raised in Istanbul and I can show you around. I felt like I don't leave the house these days I wanted to be social so I downloaded this app. (I'm 21 years old btw)
Ceren

Ceren

I am an urban planning student. I like walking around the city and learning about it.

Stay with locals in Istanbul

Hiba

Hiba

Can host for 3 days

Hey ladies, I'm a student in Istanbul. Working as a fashion designer part time along with my studies. Traveling is my passion, i would love to host any of you depending upon my availability- I love arts and helping people. I suck at cooking🙄
Ainura

Ainura

Can host for 5 days

cheerful, kind, open to new acquaintances
kiana

kiana

Can host for 3 days

Hello My name is kiana I’m a professional tennis player I traveling around the world for competition and at that moment I am really interested to meet up new people

Upcoming visitors to Istanbul

Celine

Celine

I m Céline. I moved to Palma de Mallorca in April 2022. I work remotely for Amazon. I live in Santa Catalina, I have a guest room. I would love to welcome female travelers and to travel again :)
Jots

Jots

Hi! My name is Jyoti but everyone calls me Jots (like “shots”). I’ve just moved back to Australia from living in Italy for 4 years. I spend my time between Sydney and Canberra. I’m looking for travel buddies who love hiking and beach trips like me!
Nicole

Nicole

Hello my name is Nicole and I am 27 years old. I live in the United States and work in the operating room full time. I am newly single, and have always wanted to travel the world and explore new places! I love meeting new people so traveling would be a perfect way to do so. Im more than ready to check places off my bucket list.

Experiences from Istanbul

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 17 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.9/5

Safety

4.1/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

4.4/5

Solo travel experience

Istanbul is completely safe and comfortable but taxi drivers and restaurant owners will try to scam and overcharge every chance they get. Even when I was with my friend who is Turkish and lives in Istanbul, restaurant owners would try this with us, and hand over a menu with different pricing when she spoke. It happened more than once.

Posted: May 28, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I've been in Istanbul alone for a few days before joining a tour and didn't feel unsafe at all. It's also super easy to navigate and the culture is amazing. I met a girl in my hostel and toured a bit with her too so it's super easy to meet people.

Posted: May 13, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I never felt unsafe walking but people did keep asking me to come to their restaurants and sometimes they were persistent. I stayed around the corner from the Blue Mosque. I walked to the Grand Bazaar and also did the Basilica Cistern, which I thought was cool. I also did a dinner cruise with entertainment and belly dancing and it was enjoyable but overpriced.

Posted: May 5, 2023
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Group travel experience

Istanbul was the worst traveling experience I’ve ever had. I felt very unsafe the entire time and had two men follow me and my friend through the big market. I would not recommend it.

Posted: April 30, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I did a five-day trip to Istanbul, and my personal top sights were the Hagia Sophia, the Dolmabhace Palace and I liked the Galata Tower. Also, the Topkapi Palace was nice.

Posted: April 29, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I spent two weeks in Istanbul solo and didn’t feel at all unsafe. Such a great city: history, culture, food, two continents, all rolled into one. The city does get busy and hectic, like any major city. I walked pretty much everywhere or took public transport.

Posted: April 9, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I have traveled alone to Istanbul, staying at a nice B&B in Sultanahmet. I loved all of the churches, mosques, parks, and museums and just people-watching in the park and shopping in the market.

Posted: April 9, 2023
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Couple travel experience

We lived near a train Station in the Galat Area near Istkl. Street. Day and night are a lot of people Roaming around and many tourists. With the train you can travel on the other side easy. You can get a Istanbul card and Put on some money. You only need one card for several people. There are a lot of mauqes to Explore and little Cafés. Even just Sitzung beiside the See Area is nice. You could also drive with a boat to the asian boarder We have just been there for around 5 days and seen a lot

Posted: April 9, 2023Experienced: January, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I felt very safe by myself in Istanbul. I stayed in the Fatih old city area and the Bahaus hostel was good. There were so many cats roaming around, and a lot of them were quite friendly. They lived out on the streets but they were extremely well taken care of by the locals; I saw food, water, and shelter for them.

Posted: March 11, 2023
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Solo travel experience

I had a bad experience in Instanbul solo traveling. Got groped on the metro as soon as I was on and so many guys wanting to get my attention on the streets and telling me I was beautiful in a very exaggerated exhausting way. Istanbul is beautiful but I would never recommend traveling there alone as a woman.

Posted: December 10, 2022
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Get answers to your travel questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Istanbul safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, Istanbul is generally safe for solo female travelers. However, as with any destination, it is important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Be sure to dress modestly, avoid walking alone at night, and keep your valuables secure.

Is Istanbul good for solo travel?

Yes, Istanbul is a great destination for solo travelers. The city is generally safe and there are plenty of attractions and activities to keep you busy. There are also many female-friendly accommodations and services available.

Is Istanbul expensive for solo travellers?

Istanbul can be expensive for solo travelers, depending on the type of accommodation and activities you choose. Generally, budget travelers can find affordable accommodation and food, but luxury travelers may find it more expensive.

What to do in Istanbul solo?

Visit the Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It's a great place to explore and shop for souvenirs, jewelry, carpets, and more.

Explore the Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul. It's a former Byzantine church that was converted into a mosque and is now a museum.

Take a Bosphorus Cruise

A Bosphorus cruise is a great way to explore the city from the water. You can see the city's skyline, the bridges, and the palaces along the shore.

Visit the Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace is a former Ottoman palace that is now a museum. It's a great place to explore the history of the Ottoman Empire and learn about its culture.

Visit the Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul. It's a beautiful mosque with a stunning interior and is a great place to explore the city's Islamic culture.

Visit the Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower that offers stunning views of the city. It's a great place to take in the city's skyline and get some great photos.

Explore the Spice Bazaar

The Spice Bazaar is a great place to explore the city's culinary culture. You can find a variety of spices, herbs, and other ingredients to take home.

Visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum

The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is a great place to explore the city's ancient history. It's a great place to learn about the city's past and see some of its artifacts.

Take a Food Tour

A food tour is a great way to explore the city's culinary culture. You can try a variety of dishes and learn about the city's food culture.

Visit the Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul. It's a beautiful mosque with a stunning interior and is a great place to explore the city's Islamic culture.

Is Istanbul safe to travel alone?

Yes, Istanbul is generally safe to travel alone. However, it is important to take the same precautions as you would in any other city. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid walking alone at night, and keep your valuables secure.

Travel alone in Turkey

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