Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

Since 2022, we have been offering tourists a unique experience on our double-decker hop-on hop-off buses at Istanbul’s most special locations. 450,000 guests from 92 countries, audio commentary in 14 languages… We are proud to share Istanbul’s story with the world.

Istanbul holds a depth along the shores of the Golden Horn as precious as the Bosphorus itself. Our new route invites visitors on a singular journey: from Sultanahmet to Eyüp, through the multicultural fabric of Fener and Balat, past the industrial heritage of Hasköy, and back along the historic peninsula. ✨ 10 stops · 14-language audio guide · open-top panoramic double-decker buses 🎟️ Hop-on, hop-off freedom, explore at your own pace 🕐 Daily departures from Sultanahmet Square Explore the city where every street tells a story.

Registration is open for one of the world's most thrilling half marathons! The Türkiye İş Bankası 21st Istanbul Half Marathon takes place on 19 April 2026, winding through the unmatched atmosphere of the Historic Peninsula on a course renowned as one of the fastest in the world. Ready to chase a personal best? Last day to register is 13 April. Visit the website of @ibbsporistanbul for more information.

Spring has arrived in Istanbul, and with it, tulip season is in full bloom. Every April, millions of tulips transform Istanbul's parks and public spaces into a breathtaking sea of color. For the best experience, head to Emirgan Grove, the crown jewel of Istanbul's tulip season, where over 120 varieties of tulips line the pathways along the Bosphorus. Stroll through the historic pavilions, enjoy a cup of Turkish tea with a view, and take in the colors before they're gone. Istanbul is in bloom. Come see it for yourself.

Istanbul's second humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza is on the road. By unanimous vote of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Assembly, we're sending 1,000 food packages, 600 blankets, and 600 pairs of orthopedic slippers through the Turkish Red Crescent. Our first convoy was dispatched in March 2024 by elected Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. With Ramadan around the corner, Istanbul reaches out to Gaza once more not with words, but with action. Istanbul stands with Palestine. 🇵🇸

Our "Askı Plan" (Digital Urban Plan) app has won the Global CIO Project of the Year award in the "Digital Customer Experience" category! Developed entirely in-house, this GIS-based solution makes urban planning transparent and accessible for all 16 million Istanbulites. Transparency and technology, working for Istanbul.

B40 Network began with the simple belief that Balkan cities deserve a more prosperous future. What started in Istanbul in 2021 with 23 cities has grown into a powerful network of 76 members today. I extend my deepest thanks to Mayor of Sofia Vassil Terziev for his leadership throughout 2025 and wish Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomasevic every success as he takes the helm of this invaluable network for 2026. B40 was founded to strengthen local democracy and foster peace through cooperation. As today’s Zagreb Declaration reaffirms, that mission is more urgent than ever. We believe that cities are not just administrative entities, but the most immediate democratic institutions where citizens exercise their free will. In a powerful show of solidarity, B40 Mayors also issued a Joint Letter of Support calling for an end to the indefinite pretrial detention of myself and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. We must protect the rule of law and the democratic mandate of elected local authorities at all costs. Although I could not join the 5th B40 Summit in person, I remain fully committed to our shared purpose. I look forward to the day when I can stand freely among my colleagues again as we build a region where democracy, justice, and inclusion prevail.

In 2025, we worked with determination to carry our cultural heritage into the future. Through Istanbul Municipality Heritage, we expanded the number of libraries from 20 when we first took office to 76 as of this year. We placed 167 cultural heritage sites under protection, continued restoration works on 29 historic monuments, and brought water back to 32 historic fountains that had long fallen silent. With four ongoing archaeological excavations, we also uncovered the layers of history hidden beneath the city. In 2026, we will continue to work with the same resolve across Istanbul. From exhibitions to restorations, from archaeological sites to libraries, we remain committed to protecting the city’s cultural and historical heritage and passing it on to future generations.

Through its membership in @MobiliseCity Istanbul strengthens its role in shaping global discussions on sustainable transport financing, capacity building, and long-term urban resilience.

Bulgur Palas, which we brought back to Istanbul through adaptive reuse and revitalization efforts, has been selected as Best Art & Culture Project of 2025 by Maison Française magazine. Istanbul Municipality continues to transform historic buildings into public, contemporary cultural spaces.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) has launched the implementation of its Green City Action Plan, developed with the EBRD and approved by the İBB Assembly. The plan will guide the city’s climate investments and is expected to cut 1.6 million tons of CO₂. In his remarks, Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan underlined that our elected Mayor and CHP Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu’s vision continues to shape İBB’s work in every field.

Tech Istanbul has completed the first Young Entrepreneurship School, giving young innovators a chance to develop their tech ideas through intensive training, workshops and mentorship. From 382 applicants, 54 young people were selected and spent three days learning core skills from business modeling to pitching. Their projects were showcased at a Mini Demo Day, and all participants will now be considered for the 2026 Tech Istanbul Pre-Incubation Program. Graduates will also have internship opportunities within Tech Istanbul’s startup network. This program is part of our commitment to support youth and strengthen Istanbul’s growing innovation ecosystem.

We marked December the 3rd, World Disability Day, with a special swimming event. The event, held at the Cemal Kamacı Sports Complex, brought together 130 athletes with disabilities and highlighted the city’s commitment to inclusive sports and equal access. Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan attended the program and conveyed Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s greetings to all participants. The day focused on strengthening social inclusion, supporting active participation in sports and creating spaces where every resident can move freely and confidently. Aslan briefly noted that true accessibility comes from the way a city is designed, and that Istanbul is working to ensure every new facility serves all its residents. Istanbul Municipality will continue expanding its “Sports for All” approach and building an Istanbul where individuals with disabilities can live, move and participate independently.

Tech Istanbul has opened the second phase of its Kayışdağı hub, expanding one of the world’s most respected municipal entrepreneurship programs. Selected by the Global Startup Awards as the Best Accelerator and Incubation Program, Tech Istanbul now supports more than 670 young entrepreneurs who have generated 118 million dollars in economic value for Türkiye. This new center on the Asian side of the city will operate 24 hours a day, providing workspaces, labs and training areas for teams building the technologies of tomorrow. Even in the most difficult times, Istanbul continues to invest in innovation, opportunity and young talent. Our commitment is clear. We support the entrepreneurs who will shape the future, and they will help shape the future of our city.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality opened the Filenin Sultanları (Sultans of the Net) Youth Center in Küçükçekmece, transforming the former girls’ and boys’ dormitory into a hub for education, sports and youth services. The center includes study workshops, a youth office, technology labs, İSMEK training programs, an employment office and newly renovated sports facilities expected to serve nearly 40,000 people each year. At the opening ceremony, Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan underlined that Ekrem İmamoğlu’s people-centred municipal vision continues to guide our work despite the current circumstances. He noted that many elements of this vision are now studied and adapted by cities around the world, including New York’s recent adoption of several Istanbul-inspired policies. The center stands on a 6,700 square meter campus and reflects our commitment to ensuring that all young people in Istanbul have equal access to safe, supportive and inspiring public spaces. Despite intense pressure and ongoing political operations, Istanbul Municipality teams continue to expand youth services, student housing, childcare, sports facilities and social support programs across the city. We will always keep working for the youth of Istanbul.

Istanbul Electricity, Tram and Tunnel Establishments (@ietttr) hosted the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the world’s largest umbrella organization in the field of public transportation, in Istanbul. Representatives from 80 public transport institutions across 14 countries attended the program, where participants discussed the future of public transportation, new technologies, and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems around the world. İETT also hosted UITP’s e-BRT General Assembly.

A new academic study by Evim Tan and Irmak Özer explores the Turkish central government’s illiberal recentralisation after the 2019 local elections, showing how opposition-led municipalities have been targeted through legal, media, and administrative means. 🔗 tandfonline.com/eprint/Q3NIAFD…

This Sunday, Istanbul will once again bring continents together. 🌍 The Türkiye İş Bankası 47th Istanbul Marathon, the world’s only intercontinental marathon, will take thousands of runners across the Bosphorus Bridge from Asia to Europe. With participants from 126 countries and over 41,000 registered runners, it remains one of Europe’s three Gold Label marathons recognized by World Athletics. From elite athletes chasing records to volunteers and citizens running for good causes, Istanbul will turn into a city of endurance, unity, and solidarity. 📅 November 2 📍 From the Bosphorus Bridge to Sultanahmet 🎥 Watch live on @ibbsporistanbul YouTube

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality welcomed Yuldash Bakhtiyerovich Ismailov, General Secretary of the Tashkent Municipality of Uzbekistan, together with his delegation. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss urban sustainability, environmental practices, tourism, and planning strategies, highlighting Istanbul’s approach to inclusive and resilient city management. As part of its city diplomacy efforts, the Municipality aims to enhance cooperation, knowledge exchange, and enduring partnerships among cities for a more sustainable future.