Tag: What’s On Istanbul

Few cities swing so effortlessly between epochs as Istanbul. Minarets pierce a skyline crowned by Roman domes and Byzantine mosaics; neon-lit side streets thrum past midnight with indie gigs, Anatolian psych-rock, and hip-hop cyphers; ferries pulse across the Bosphorus, stitching Europe and Asia together in 20 breezy minutes. It is a metropolis that treats culture like breathing; automatic, constant, vital.  

So when the loudest legends of Los Angeles rock announce they’re roaring back to town after 32 long years, the news feels less like a tour date and more like destiny. On June 2, 2025, Guns N’ Roses will shake BJK Tüpraş Stadium to its steel girders, adding one more thunderous chapter to Istanbul’s never-ending soundtrack. 

General Info About the Concert

Below you’ll find the nuts and bolts of the show—date, venue, line-up, ticket links, and travel tips. Give it a quick read now, and you’ll walk into the stadium ready for nothing but loud guitars and good memories.

Date & time: June 2, 2025. The main show starts around 21:00. Doors usually open in the early evening, so arrive early for security checks.

Concert Venue: BJK Tüpraş Stadium (Vodafone Park before) in Beşiktaş, a short walk downhill from Taksim Square and close to the Bosphorus shoreline.

    

Concert Lineup: The classic trio, Axl Rose (vocals, piano), Slash (lead guitar) and Duff McKagan (bass), will play a full headline set. California rockers Rival Sons will open the night.

Tour context: This Istanbul stop belongs to the band’s 24-date 2025 Europe & Middle East Tour, their first in Turkey in 32 years.

   

Organizer: The show is produced by BKM Organization, a company that has brought world-class acts to Turkey for more than 25 years.

    

Tickets: Official sales run through Biletix (Ticketmaster Turkey). Buy only from authorized outlets to avoid inflated resale prices.

 

This is a rare chance to sing along to “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and more under Istanbul’s open sky in June 2025. Grab your ticket and be part of a night that will echo down the Bosphorus for years.

About Guns N’ Roses and Their History with Istanbul

Born from two local bands, L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose, Guns N' Roses began in Los Angeles in 1985. Soon, Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan spearheaded the charge. Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), rocketed with songs like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Sweet Child O' Mine," making them worldwide rock stars.

The band’s journey has been wild; world tours, lineup changes, long breaks, and a big reunion in 2016 that brought the classic trio back together. Now they fill stadiums again with the same fire that ruled the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Istanbul concerts and festivals already know that power. On 26 May 1993, Guns N’ Roses played İnönü Stadium during their Skin N’ Bones tour, their first full stadium night in Turkey. They returned once more on 6 July 2012 for Tuborg Goldfest at Parkorman, but that show featured Axl with a different backing band.

The 2025 concert at BJK Tüpraş Stadium is special because it reunites Istanbul with the classic core, Axl, Slash, and Duff, on a true stadium stage for the first time in 32 years.

BJK Tüpraş Stadium : Heartbeat on the Bosphorus

Istanbul loves big stages. Football chants, pop shows, and open-air festivals all find a home on the sloping shoreline of Beşiktaş. At the center sits BJK Tüpraş Stadium (also known as Vodafone Park), a modern 42-thousand-seat bowl that looks straight toward the Bosphorus strait. Since opening in 2016, it has become more than a football ground; it is a bright, all-season arena where local stars and global icons share the same floodlights. Popular giants like Ajda Pekkan, Yıldız Tilbe, and now Guns N’ Roses keep its concert calendar busy, turning match-day turf into a nightly dance floor.

Why It Matters to the City

Beşiktaş has long been one of Istanbul’s loudest cultural quarters. The stadium’s glass-roof design lets neighborhood sounds roll inside, so every show feels stitched into street life. Its downtown address also makes top-tier events reachable for young fans who might never travel to outlying festival grounds. For many locals, a night here means football pride at sundown, a headline concert after dark, and a waterfront stroll before the last ferry home.

How to Get There

Tram + walk: Ride the T1 tram to Kabataş. Follow the crowd north on Meclis-i Mebusan Street; the stadium rises after a ten-minute walk along the water.

Ferry: Cross from Üsküdar, Kadıköy, or Eminönü to Beşiktaş pier. From the pier it is a quick five-minute uphill walk. Ferries skip road traffic and give a sunset Bosphorus view on the way in.

Bus: Routes 22, 22RE, 25E, 40, and 40T all stop within one block of the main gate. Night buses run after concerts on weekends.

   

Order your unlimited public transportation card with a discount so it will be delivered to your hotel when you come here! Arrive early if you need to clear the bag-check lines; street food stalls and cafe terraces outside keep wait times pleasant.

What’s Around the Stadium

Dolmabahçe Palace sits less than a kilometer away. Many fans tour the Ottoman halls in the afternoon, grab köfte by the gates, and then head to the show.

Taksim Square is a fifteen-minute uphill walk or one tram stop away. Its side streets are lined with bars that play classic rock long after the encore.

Beşiktaş Çarşı, the market district, buzzes with meyhanes, fish restaurants, and midnight simit sellers. It is the perfect spot to debrief the set list over tea or cold beer.

With water on one side and the city’s busiest nightlife spine on the other, BJK Tüpraş Stadium offers more than a seat at a show; it delivers a full Istanbul evening in one compact pocket of the shore.

Explore More with the Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Make the most of your concert trip by turning it into a mini-holiday. The Istanbul Tourist Pass® bundles top attractions into one easy digital ticket and saves you cash at the same time. Activate it on your phone, show the QR code at each venue, and skip most ticket lines. Here are four experiences that fit perfectly around a Guns N’ Roses day:

Besiktas JK Museum — Free with the Pass

Walk straight into the club’s own museum inside Tüpraş Stadium. Trophies, jerseys, photos, and match-day sounds tell the story of Turkey’s oldest football team. Dolmabahçe Palace and the Bosphorus promenade sit a few minutes away, so you can turn your visit into a full Beşiktaş day.

Frankenstein Horror House — Discounted

Ready for a scare after the sightseeing? Step into Dr. Frankenstein’s three-floor lab in Kadıköy. Live actors, puzzle rooms, and flashing lights keep your heart racing until you find the exit. Book for as many teammates as you like—no lone wanderers unless you dare.

Party Pub Crawl Istanbul — Discounted

Join local guides and travelers for one bar plus three nightclubs around Taksim. Your wristband covers welcome shots, drink deals, and fast entry. It’s an easy way to meet people and feel Istanbul’s late-night pulse after the concert.

Busforus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour — Discounted

Climb aboard the Istanbul's red double-decker for a laid-back loop of 12 stops on both continents. Plug in the audio guide (eight languages) and cruise over the Bosphorus Bridge for a rooftop view you can’t get on foot. Hop off anywhere, stay as long as you like, and hop back on when you’re ready.

One digital pass unlocks these and 100+ other attractions. Buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass® online, scan your QR code, and keep exploring long after the last encore. One pass, one price, dozens of options. Buy it online before you land, and every time you flash that QR code, think of it as an encore to your G N’ R night.

Istanbul is one of the few cities that can easily combine old and new. The city is full of music, from the call to prayer resonating across the Bosphorus to late-night jazz coming from meyhanes on back streets. Its castles are the sites of chamber concerts and its parks are the settings for outdoor symphonies. Its palaces host chamber recitals, its parks fill with open-air symphonies, and every year millions of culture-seekers weave these sounds into their travel itineraries. At the heart of this vibrant soundscape sits the Istanbul Music Festival – a flagship celebration that has shaped Türkiye’s classical calendar for more than half a century.

Now in its 53rd edition, the festival returns on 11–26 June 2025 with the inspiring theme “Beyond Borders.” Over fourteen summer nights the programme invites audiences to journey across geography and genre: Turkish, Greek, Iranian and Azerbaijani instruments share the stage with European orchestras; Baroque suites flow into break-dance choreography; Romantic concertos segue into visual art and theatre.  The schedule is anchored by world-class groups like the Tekfen Philharmonic, Camerata Salzburg, and the NDR Elbphilharmonie. New projects help develop young musicians and make the events family-friendly with workshops and outdoor "Weekend Classics." Whether you've been to a festival before or this is your first time, the 2025 version promises an experience in Istanbul where history, creativity, and cross-cultural conversation all fit together perfectly.

Festival in Focus: 52 Years of Sound

Since 1973 the Istanbul Music Festival has been the city’s flagship stage for classical music. Born alongside the Republic’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, it has grown into a world-class event that welcomes stellar orchestras, bold new projects and curious listeners every June.

How It Started

The festival was born in 1973, the same year Türkiye celebrated the 50th anniversary of the republic. It was the brain-child of philanthropist Dr Nejat Eczacıbaşı and opened as the month-long “Istanbul Festival,” presenting music, ballet, opera and talks across the city.​

Name & Legacy

As sister events for film, jazz, theatre and contemporary art spun off, the classical strand took its current title, Istanbul Music Festival, in 1994. Since 1977 it has also been an accredited member of the European Festivals Association, anchoring Istanbul on the international classical-music map.​

Big Moments

    1977 – Berlin Philharmonic makes its Turkish debut.

    1991 – Cevza Aktüze becomes the first female director.

    2011 – Regular commissioning programme begins, leading to world premières by Arvo Pärt and Fazıl Say.

    2018 – “Women Stars of Tomorrow” launches to fund young female artists.

    2020 – The 48th edition moves entirely online, streaming concerts from historic cisterns and palaces during the pandemic.​

Star Guests

Across five decades the festival has hosted the New York, Vienna and Royal Concertgebouw orchestras; conductors like Zubin Mehta and Simon Rattle; and soloists from Itzhak Perlman to Lang Lang. Dance icons such as the Bolshoi Ballet and Martha Graham Company have also appeared.​

Special Projects & Outreach

    Music Route – guided walks that link pop-up concerts in hidden churches, synagogues and mansions (a sell-out since 2016).​

    Festival Seeks Its Young Soloist – annual competition that gives winners a main-stage debut with orchestra.​

    Weekend Classics – free park performances that bring classical music to new audiences.

Keeping the Music Alive Online

When COVID-19 hit, organisers pivoted fast. The 48th edition (18 Sep – 5 Oct 2020) streamed 21 filmed concerts online for 30 days, created a one-off Festival Orchestra of young Turkish musicians and offered tickets worldwide.​

Awards & Accolades

Every year the festival presents Lifetime Achievement and Honorary Awards, honoring legends from Leyla Gencer to Arvo Pärt and Daniel Barenboim, and supports fresh commissions that enrich the global repertoire.​

2025 Programme at a Glance

From opera-house galas to alfresco park concerts and island excursions, this year’s “Beyond Borders” theme unfolds across both sides of the Bosphorus. Use the timetable below to plot your perfect festival route.

Date – Venue – Event

11 Jun    Atatürk Cultural Centre – Opera Hall  Opening Concert: Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra & National Philharmonic Choir Bulgaria

12 Jun    Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall    Gautier Capuçon (cello) & Alexandre Kantorow (piano)

13 Jun    Zorlu PSM – Turkcell Platinum Stage    Pictures in Motion (live art & music spectacle)

14 Jun    Yıldız Park    Weekend Classics I – relaxed morning set in the gardens

14 Jun    Atatürk Cultural Centre – Türk Telekom Opera Hall    Camerata Salzburg & Hélène Grimaud

15 Jun    Yoğurtçu Park    Weekend Classics II – family-friendly picnic concert

16 Jun    Kadıköy Municipality Süreyya Opera House    World Premiere: Valentin Silvestrov project

17 Jun    Palais de France    Duo Salque-Peirani (cello & accordion)

18 Jun    Zorlu PSM – Turkcell Stage    Geneva Camerata “Revolta” (orchestra + break-dance)

19 Jun    Atatürk Cultural Center –  Opera Hall    NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester & Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin)

20 Jun    Atatürk Cultural Center –  Opera Hall    NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester & Rafał Blechacz (piano)

20 Jun    Salon İKSV    Classical Disco – late-night DJ–string mash-up

21 Jun    Büyükdere neighbourhood    Music Route @ Büyükdere – chamber “hop” through churches & mansions

21 Jun    Kadıköy Municipality Süreyya Opera House    Women Stars of Tomorrow showcase

22 Jun    The Grand Tarabya – Panorama Terrace    Cuarteto SolTango & Leonel Capitano “Poesía”

23 Jun    Sakıp Sabancı Museum – Fıstıklı Terrace    Strings in Love moon-lit serenade

24 Jun    Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall    Caravaggio & Monteverdi – music meets Baroque art

25 Jun    Kınalıada Christos Greek Orthodox Monastery    The Island – sunset recital on the Princes' Isles

26 Jun    Atatürk Cultural Center – Opera Hall    Rossini Night with Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra

Tip: many events sell out fast, especially the park “Weekend Classics” and the roving Music Route. Book early, and leave buffer time for ferry or traffic crossings when planning back-to-back shows.

Explore More with the Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Visiting for the 53rd Istanbul Music Festival doesn’t have to be all concerts and rehearsal halls—thanks to the Istanbul Tourist Pass® you can weave the city’s headline sights and unforgettable shows around your performance schedule with almost no planning stress.

There’s just one pass to think about, you simply pick how many consecutive days you want it to run (from one up to five). Each day is loaded with a fresh bundle of digital credits. Spend those credits however you like: squeeze in theme-park thrills between matinee recitals, treat the family to aquariums and adventure parks, or opt for culture-heavy museum hops. Because it’s credit-based, you create a tailor-made itinerary that reflects your priorities instead of ticking off a fixed checklist.

Where the pass really shines for festival-goers is its instant QR-ticket system. Stand within range of a landmark such as Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, the Basilica Cistern or the Maiden’s Tower and a ready-to-scan entry QR code appears in your app, along with a specially curated audio guide. You skip the ticket window entirely and walk straight to the security checkpoint; no “priority” gimmicks, just pure time saved. At Topkapi Palace the experience is even smoother: a hosted entrance with a licensed guide ushers you past the long queues and straight into the courtyards.

Beyond the must-see monuments, your credits can unlock unique evening experiences that pair perfectly with the festival vibe: a Whirling Dervishes ceremony at Abud Efendi Mansion, a lavish Bosphorus Dinner Cruise filled with Turkish folk shows, the electrifying “Rhythm of the Dance” performance at Hodjapasha, or a premium night out at Nomads Restaurant where a complimentary welcome cocktail kicks off a discount-priced feast backed by live musicians and fire dancers.

Add FREE airport transfers, Bosphorus sightseeing cruises, audio guided neighbourhood walks and children’s attractions into the mix and the Istanbul Tourist Pass® easily delivers well over 50 percent savings once you compare pay-as-you-go prices; and that’s before you count the hours rescued from queueing. Buy the pass online now, install the app, and you’re set: concerts by night, Istanbul’s greatest hits by day, all stitched together with nothing more than a tap of your phone.

Summer in Istanbul feels easy. Days are long, the breeze off the Bosphorus is gentle, and most evenings settle at a friendly 25 °C. Street corners fill with buskers, ferries glow under string lights, and rooftop bars stay busy until the small hours. It’s the season when the city seems to put on a show just for the fun of it.

Right in the middle of all that action stands Zorlu PSM in Beşiktaş. Think of it as Istanbul’s big, modern living room; air-conditioned, easy to reach on the M2 metro, and always booking something interesting. 

This year something really unique is going to start Istanbul's summer concert season.  As a part of the "PSM Loves Summer by %100 Music" series, trail-blazing art-pop group Anohni & The Johnsons will perform on the Turkcell Stage at Zorlu PSM on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. A concert not to miss! Let's have o look at the details.

General Information for Anohni & The Johnsons Istanbul Concert 2025

Istanbul is more magical in summer season. Istanbul is getting ready for a night that feels part-ritual, part-concert, and pure midsummer magic. On Tuesday, 10 June 2025, the celebrated art-pop collective Anohni & The Johnsons will arrive at Zorlu PSM’s Turkcell Stage as the crown jewel of the “PSM Loves Summer by %100 Müzik” series. It will be the band’s first Istanbul appearance in ten years, and the city’s music lovers are already buzzing. Picture the lights of Beşiktaş fading behind you as you step into the cool, architect-led foyer of Zorlu; outside the sun sinks over the Bosphorus, but inside an entirely different tide is pulling you toward something intimate, political, and soulful.

Anohni’s voice, warm, androgynous, able to float like incense or burn like a flare; has long been a beacon for anyone who craves music with heart and conscience. Since winning the Mercury Prize with I Am a Bird Now, she and her shape-shifting ensemble have blended chamber strings, gospel swells, and electronic pulses into songs that ask us to care for each other and the planet. Now, touring behind the deeply personal 2023 album My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross, she promises an evening that moves between fragile confession and ecstatic release.

For travelers holding an Istanbul Tourist Pass®, the timing could not be sweeter. Spend the day gliding past queues at Hagia Sophia, cruising the strait, and tasting meze in Karaköy, all perks of the Pass, then ride the metro straight to Gayrettepe station. From there it is a sheltered five-minute walk to the venue, where the buzz of anticipation mingles with the scent of fresh popcorn and the hum of stage lights warming up. One ticket, one city, one unforgettable night: Anohni & The Johnsons are about to give Istanbul its summer anthem.

At a Glance

•     Date / time: 10 June 2025 – doors usually open 7:30 PM, show 9:00 PM
•     Venue: Zorlu PSM, Turkcell Stage, Beşiktaş
•     Nearest metro stop: Gayrettepe (M2) – a five-minute indoor walk to the theatre
•     Good to know: Zorlu’s food court stays open late, and the lobby bar serves before the show and during intermission.

Why This Show Matters

This will be the band’s first Istanbul appearance in a decade and part of a limited European tour celebrating Anohni’s acclaimed 2023 album My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross alongside classics like “Hope There’s Someone.”

Expect a set that moves from hushed piano ballads to soaring chamber-soul anthems, all wrapped in the eco-feminist, emotionally direct performance style that has made Anohni one of the most compelling voices of her generation. Oh, and while you are here, see what's on in Istanbul! 

Who is Anohni?

Roots in New York’s avant-garde: Anohni (born in Chichester, raised in the UK and California) formed the Johnsons in 1998 while studying experimental theatre in Manhattan.

Mercury Prize breakthrough: The second album, I Am a Bird Now (2005) won Britain’s top album honor, bringing trans identity and soulful cabaret pop to a mainstream audience.

Genre-spanning catalog: Later releases flirted with orchestral art song (The Crying Light), environmental protest pop (Hopelessness, 2016) and the intimate, gospel-tinged textures of My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross.

The Johnsons, an ever-shifting ensemble of strings, horns and rhythm section, create a lush backdrop for Anohni’s rich, androgynous voice.

Listen Before You Go

•     “Hope There’s Someone” – a fragile piano lament that grows into a choral swell.
•     “Cut the World” – live strings meet spoken-word activism.
•     “Why Did You Separate Me from the Earth?” – haunting eco-ballad.
•     “It Must Change” – the gospel-soul single from the latest album.

Cue up the playlist on your ride to the venue to feel the arc of the evening.

Make a Day of It with Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Morning: Skip the queues at Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern with your Pass

Afternoon break: Take the Bosphorus sightseeing cruise that departs from Kabataş—also included.

Evening: Ride the metro straight to Gayrettepe, then stroll into Zorlu for the concert.

Extra perk: Use your unlimited public transportation card you get discounted with your Pass!

Ticket Tips

Standard seating starts around ₺1,850, with limited-view balcony seats a little cheaper. Check Zorlu PSM for real-time availability.

Accessibility: The Turkcell Stage has step-free entry on the east side; contact Zorlu PSM 48 hours in advance for wheelchair-area tickets.

Merch: Eco-friendly tour T-shirts (organic cotton) and a limited-edition poster by Turkish illustrator Ece Yalım are promised at the foyer stand; bring cash or card.

Final Word

If you crave music that marries raw emotion, social conscience and mesmerizing stagecraft, mark 10 June 2025 in bold. Anohni’s voice can hush a hall to a whisper and then lift it to a roar—a perfect soundtrack for an Istanbul summer night. Book your tickets, buy your Istanbul Tourist Pass®, and get ready to feel what’s really happening.

Istanbul is a vibrant, dynamic city that never gets boring.  In historical areas, ancient alleys nestle next to modern cafes; ships traverse the Bosphorus while seagulls sing above.  Oh, be sure to give them simit!  The markets are busy during the day, and at night, the water sparkles.Music drifts from tiny bars, and new art fills hidden courtyards. Visitors see history on every corner, yet artists reshape today in the same spaces. Istanbul is a meeting point for voices from all over the world. This city mixes taste, sound, and color in one bright rhythm. This is the city we love.

That bright rhythm turns up again with the IST. Arts & Culture Festival. The festival runs from May 30 to June 1, 2025. It celebrates its fifteenth year. Talks, installations, film screenings, and live shows fill three full days. Streets, galleries, and waterfront stages become open classrooms and playgrounds. The new edition proves that Istanbul keeps its creative heart wide open. It invites everyone to join, to listen, and to share.

General Information About IST. Arts & Culture Festival

The IST. Arts & Culture Festival began in 2010. It was created by Demet Müftüoğlu Eşeli and Alphan Eşeli. They lead the group called ISTANBUL’74. The 2025 festival is the fifteenth edition starting in May 2025. It runs from May 30 to June 1, 2025. Entry to every event is free. The program lasts three full days. Art, design, film, music, fashion, photography, and literature all share the same stage.

Visitors can enjoy talks, panels, film screenings, workshops, and live shows. Large art installations will appear in galleries and on city streets. Events pop up along the Bosphorus and across different neighborhoods. Creators from many countries come to Istanbul to connect. Famous guests from past years include writers, directors, and top artists. The goal is to spark new ideas and build cultural bridges. This anniversary edition shows how wide and welcoming Istanbul’s art scene can be.

IST. Festival 2025 At a Glance

Istanbul will host the fifteenth IST. Arts & Culture Festival from May 30 to June 1, 2025. Here is the core information we know so far.

2025 Theme and Focus

The theme is not public yet. Organizers will share it soon. It will shape all talks, shows, and displays. Check the festival site for the update.

Dates and Daily Schedule

May 30, 2025

•     Opening talk in the morning.
•     First film screening in the afternoon.
•     Evening music set on the waterfront.

May 31, 2025

•     Design workshop in the morning.
•     Artist panel at midday.
•     Nighttime performance in a historic courtyard.

June 1, 2025

•     Literature brunch talk.
•     Closing art walk in the old town.
•     Final concert after sunset.
•     A full timetable will arrive closer to the dates.

Key Venues

•     A main stage by the Bosphorus.
•     Partner galleries in Karaköy and Beyoğlu.
•     A theater hall near Taksim Square.
•     Outdoor screens on the waterfront.
•     Pop-up spaces inside historic hans.

Headline Speakers and Artists

Names will follow the theme reveal. Past guests include Tilda Swinton, JR, and Michael Stipe. Expect big voices from film, design, and music again.

Program Highlights

•     Free panels with global thinkers.
•     Premiere films and director Q&As.
•     Hands-on art and design workshops.
•     Live concerts that cross styles.
•     Night tours of site-specific light works.

Art Installations Around the City

Large pieces will rise in parks and plazas. Window displays will light up side streets. A floating work may appear on the water. All outdoor installs will stay open all three days.

Istanbul Tourist Pass®: Easy Culture for Festival Visitors

The Istanbul Tourist Pass® helps guests see more in less time. One Pass unlocks 100 + top attractions and useful services. You skip ticket lines, save money, and keep your schedule flexible during the festival days.

Why use it for IST. Festival 2025?

• Events end and start fast. The pass lets you slide into museums without waiting. So you can see more when you are in Istanbul.
• Audio guides are included in many spots, so you learn at your own pace. You don't need to wait for the guided tours, just plan your day easily. 
• You can move between venues with the pass’s Bosphorus cruise and public-transport perks. Buying an unlimited transportation card which will be delivered to your hotes, can make your life soooo easy. 

Key art museums covered

• Pera Museum – Skip the ticket line and listen to the audio guide.
• Great Palace Mosaics Museum – Walk straight in to see rare Byzantine floors.
• National Palaces Painting Museum – Enter fast and explore Ottoman art with the guide.
• Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum – Bypass the queue and hear stories of ceramics, carpets, and calligraphy.

The Pass also gives free entry or heavy discounts to many other sites, tours, and airport transfers. You choose a pass length that fits your stay; one, two, three, or five days. Buy it online, receive digital QR codes, and start scanning at the doors. It is a simple tool that keeps your mind on the art, not on the tickets.

Istanbul is a vibrant city with a lot going on all the time.  Art exhibits overflow into ancient squares, open-air concerts reverberate over the Bosphorus, and food markets crowd small streets.  The schedule is crammed with cuisine, music, and cultural events from spring to late fall turning every weekend into a celebration.

Among these vibrant events, the Istanbul Cocktail Festival stands out.  Turkey's secular attitude makes drinking a natural aspect of daily life; cocktails have grown to be a vibrant component of the city's nightlife.  Every year the event combines food, music, and fashion, so for two days of taste and enjoyment, it brings together best bars and knowledgeable mixologists. This year, it is happening on May 31-June 1 at Lifepark for its 10th edition, let's have a look at this festival.

General Information about Istanbul Cocktail Festival

The Istanbul Cocktail Festival is the first and only event of its kind in Turkey. Since 2017 it has welcomed more than 100,000 guests in both Istanbul and Izmir. The 2025 edition celebrates the festival’s 10th year on 31 May – 1 June at Lifepark, a leafy outdoor venue on the city’s northern edge. 

What you’ll find: tasting stands from iconic Turkish cocktail bars, workshops and talks led by award-winning mixologists, live bands and DJs, gourmet food stalls (including vegan options), local designer boutiques, brand activations, and carnival games.  

Tickets: entry covers admission and stage performances; cocktails, food, workshops, and games are pay-as-you-go.  

Age limit: You need to be 18 or older. Bring valid ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID) for entry.

Festival Concert Program

Saturday 31 May

• Pinhani  
• Yüksek Sadakat  
• Emir Yargın “Klas Pop”  
• Aydeed  
• …and more to be announced!

Sunday 1 June

• Adamlar  
• Son Feci Bisiklet  
• M Lisa  
• Kalabalıklar  
• …plus additional acts coming soon!

Keep an eye on the festival’s social channels for the final schedule of bar pop-ups, mixology workshops, and surprise stage times.

Make the Most of Istanbul Cocktail Festival with Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Remember that your Istanbul Tourist Pass® may transform a basic festival visit into a smooth city adventure before you plunge into the cocktail-shaking excitement. One digital pass combines 100+ major attractions, entrance tickets to museums, exclusive guided tours, and transportation options into one, therefore allowing you to spend less time in lines and more time clinking glasses.

Getting there with your Pass

An unlimited public transport card is already discounted in the Pass. Get it delivered to your hotel, and hop on the M2 metro to Hacıosman, then continue by bus or a short taxi ride to Lifepark.  

Need a lift from the airport? The Pass gives a FREE Istanbul Airport shuttle transfer and discounted VIP transfers from both IST and SAW, saving you time and money the moment you land.

We know you love to share! So don't stay without internet, with your pass you'll have FREE 2 GB internet with a tourist eSIM on your own smart phone! Don't forget to follow and mention us in your Instagram stories!

What to do around Lifepark?

Lifepark sits on the greener, northern edge of the city, so you can pair the festival with fresh-air adventures: 

Belgrad Forest walking trails: shady paths, bike rentals, and picnic lawns just ten minutes away.  

Kemerburgaz City Forest: rope parks, zip lines, and cafés overlooking the water reservoir. 

Göktürk cafes & brunch spots: a compact high street lined with laid-back coffee houses and eateries.

An Amazing Day for Your  

Your Istanbul Tourist Pass® unlocks 100+ attractions, several of which are an easy ride from the festival grounds. Let's build a festival weekend itinerary. This is just an example for you if you stay in the Sultanahmet area. 

Morning: Visit Hagia Sophia Mosque early before the crowds. Your skip-the-ticket-lines QR entry will help you to get a super start to the day. Listen to your audio guide; short and precise! 

Lunch: Go to Galata Bridge and have your FREE Turkish Meze Platter and check the menu to see more delicious foods.  Oh, and see the amazing views of Golden Horn while enjoying your lunch. 

Afternoon: Head north to Lifepark for cocktails, music, and workshops. 

Evening: Finish with the FREE Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with amazing Turkish music and dance shows!

Quick tips  

Activate your Pass the day you arrive so transport and airport shuttle savings cover themselves before the festival starts.  

Workshops at the festival cost extra: use the money you saved with free Pass attractions to book a masterclass with your favourite mixologist. Remember you will save more than 50% of the regular attraction tickets in Istanbul! 

Plan for Monday too: there is much more to see in Istanbul, get a perfect for an easy recovery day after Sunday’s closing set.

With Istanbul Tourist Pass® in your pocket, the Cocktail Festival weekend turns into a full city break; cocktails, culture, and zero ticket queues. Cheers!

Bonus Experience: Rooftop Nights at Nomads Restaurant

Finish your festival weekend with a sky-high feast at Nomads, sitting on the Sofitel Taksim rooftop. Show your Istanbul Tourist Pass® to receive a FREE welcome cocktailunlimited local wines, beers, and soft drinks keep the glasses full.

As dishes arrive, the lights dim for live oriental shows, zenne dancers, and international musicians, followed by a DJ set that turns dinner into a dance floor. The decor echoes North-African courtyards with warm lanterns, carved arches, plush cushions, so every glance feels like a mini escape. Add the 20 % Pass-holder discount and those sweeping Bosphorus views, and you have an effortless way to turn one festival weekend into a story you’ll tell long after the last cocktail glass is empty. 

The most surprising meetings in Istanbul, a city where centuries-old mosques and palaces rub sides with busy bazaars and modern cafes, usually leave the most impact.  Among its shining attractions—from the majesty of Hagia Sophia to the mystery of the Basilica Cistern—there now sits a modest, chonky tale resting in the center of the city: The Boulder.

 Let's discuss something unique that distinguishes Istanbul before we reach our cherished furry star.  Stray dogs and cats are not only permitted in this enchanted city; they are valued.  You'll see dogs napping beneath the shade of ancient trees and cats sunning on old columns.  Locals feed, pet, and even construct little homes for them.  They're not strays in the conventional sense; they belong to the city, as alive and cherished as the Bosphorus itself.  Among these four-legged inhabitants, one dog has won five-star accolades as well as hearts: the Boulder!

Introducing "The Boulder": Istanbul's Unforeseen Tourist Icon!

A dog lives on the lively European side of Istanbul, close to the Şişhane metro line.  Not just any dog.  A chonky, calm, unbothered-by-everything-in-the-world sort of dog.  The Boulder is a gentle giant of Istanbul's streets who has become an online phenomenon, a top-rated tourist destination on Google Maps, and maybe most significantly, a symbol of quiet resistance to the tumult of daily life.

No one truly knows how long he has been there or whence he originated.  But one thing is for sure: The Boulder has taken his corner, a shaded area on the sidewalk, and turned it into a haven.  Day after day, you will find him huddled up in the same spot, eyes half-closed, sometimes moving for a belly-up stretch that halts pedestrians.

His nickname?  Well, it's clear-cut.  Actually no one knows also who came up with the idea. He's one.  A genuine chonker and he is unmovable.  Calm.  Unflinching.  Visitors claim that meeting him is spiritual.  Residents treat him like king.  He's a vibe, not only a dog.  One guest called the time "life-altering" on their comment on Google.   Another said, "His elegance.  His attractiveness.  His chonk! 

He doesn't make a sound.  He doesn't ask.  He doesn't pursue felines.  He simply exists; perfectly motionless, completely happy; a living testament to the art of not doing much at all.

Spotting The Boulder on Your Istanbul Tourist Pass® Adventure

Your Istanbul Tourist Pass® lets you explore the city from skip-the-line entry to Dolmabahce Palace to a calm Bosphorus cruise, guided walking tours, and amazing audio guides at every corner, hence uncovering its most famous treasures.

What if, however, we informed you that one of the most memorable views of your whole trip may not be inside a museum but rather on a peaceful sidewalk?

Exactly.  Keep your eyes peeled close to the Şişhane metro station as you travel between Galata Tower and the Museum of Illusions—both included in your Istanbul Tourist Pass®.  Somewhere along that lovely road, you may see Istanbul's most laid-back celebrity, dozing quietly in his normal location.

Gaze down.  Can you find a nice, round loaf of dog, quietly resting in the shade? Well done; you located The Boulder.

No ticket is needed, no line to stand in (though some admirers may be quietly admiring), and definitely no hurry.  Simply a dog, a time, and the sort of tranquility that Istanbul's most unusual site can provide. This can be the most local experience you may have in Istanbul.

As we hear from you, many Pass users find him by chance while walking between sites.  Using Google Maps and local advice like a real-life treasure hunt, some people go on a personal quest.  Either way, finding The Boulder is fast turning into a must-do event for tourists amassing memories outside the ordinary.

 While you're traveling from one beautiful location to another with your Istanbul Tourist Pass®, remember to make room in your schedule for the softest, roundest attraction of them all.

 P.S. He treasures his beauty sleep, so please refrain from too much touching of The Boulder.

Apocalyptica is coming; this summer in Istanbul is about to get loud!

Istanbul, get ready! With events and performances illuminating the city for every sort of music enthusiast, summer 2025 is building up to be amazing.  From pop and indie to EDM and jazz, there's something for everyone.  For the metalheads out there, this is very amazing.

 On August 22, the renowned cello-metal gods Apocalyptica are storming the stage at KüçükÇiftlik Park as part of their “Plays Metallica Vol. 2” global tour, and it’s going to be enormous. 

Cello Kings of Metal: Who Is Apocalyptica?

Born in Helsinki in 1993, Apocalyptica turned the metal world upside down by accomplishing the unthinkable: performing Metallica covers… on cellos.  Originally a daring attempt by three classically educated cellists at the Sibelius Academy, it rapidly developed into a worldwide sensation.

Currently consisting of Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Perttu Kivilaakso, Mikko Sirén (drums), and Franky Perez (vocals), the group has created a genre of their own by combining neoclassical sounds with the unbridled strength of heavy metal.  Millions of followers and over 4 million CDs sold globally have come from their filmic approach, haunting songs, and scorching performances.

And what about Turkish supporters?  You are not only another stop.  Apocalyptica has a past with Türkiye including an amazing collaboration with Turkish rock legend Şebnem Ferah on her song Perdeler.

Have a Look at the Venue: KüçükÇiftlik Park

Right in the center of Istanbul, near Maçka Park, KüüçükÇiftlik Park ranks among the best open-air music sites. It's famous for showcasing significant international performers and providing fans the ideal combination of festival atmosphere and urban vitality.  Its convenient access, top-notch production setup, and breathtaking views of the Bosphorus only feet away make it the perfect platform for Apocalyptica's theatrical, larger-than-life performance.

Get your tickets before they go away! Tickets are already available; believe us, they will go quickly.  This is beyond a concert.  Symphonic metal beneath the Istanbul sky is an adventure.

Don't miss the cello-fueled storm coming to KüçükÇiftlik Park on August 22.  Should you want to see more of Istanbul while in town for the performance, remember to look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass®; with more than 100 sites, skip-the-line access, and even exciting activities like Bosphorus cruises, it's the ideal approach to maximize your time in the city.

Planning to attend the Concert in Istanbul? Leave the rest to Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Shouldn't your whole vacation be as easy and spectacular as the performance if you're flying into Istanbul for it? Your all-in-one digital travel companion, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® was created to let you explore the city stress-free; yes, it also offers unique benefits ideal for concert goers.

Private Airport Transfers with Special Discounts

Planning your concert trip can be exhausting especially if it is your first time in Istanbul. Don’t stress about getting from the airport to your hotel. The pass offers discounted private airport transfers, so you can skip the taxi line and arrive in comfort, no hidden fees, no hassle. Whether you're landing at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen, your ride can be waiting for you.

More Than 100 Attractions & Services

Make the most of your time in Istanbul before and after the concert. From iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace to skip-the-line museum entries, Bosphorus cruises, and even guided tours, it’s all included with your pass credits.

All Digital – Easy to Use

No paper tickets, no printouts. Everything’s managed from your phone with Istanbul Tourist Pass® App. Just scan your QR code at entrances or during service reservations, and you’re good to go.

Perfect for Metalheads on the Move

Traveling solo or with your metal crew? The Istanbul Tourist Pass® gives you access to exclusive experiences, specially curated audio guides, and handpicked services curated by local experts — helping you make unforgettable memories beyond the concert grounds. If you are traveling with 10+ people, check out our group pass offer with special discounts!

Coming for Apocalyptica? Stay for Istanbul. Buy your Pass today!

On July 4, 2025, Jennifer Lopez offers her live performance in Istanbul: A Night to Remember

Istanbul, the moment has here!   Pop music icon Jennifer Lopez, recognized all over the world, will bring her "Up All Night: Live in 2025" tour to the very core of Turkey.   On July 4, 2025, Festival Park Yenikapı will change into the center of music, dancing, and unadulterated enjoyment.   if you've been a J.Lo fan since her early songs or if you just can't help but enjoy a great live performance, this event promises you will have a night under the stars that you will never forget.

All About Jennifer Lopez's Istanbul Concert

A genuine star of the music industry, Jennifer Lopez, has announced a breathtaking worldwide tour for 2025; Istanbul is privileged to be one of the sites she has chosen for the journey.   The event is set for Festival Park Yenikapı, a location renowned for its open-air charm, stunning sea views, and capacity to stylishly host thousands of music lovers.

Starting with "On the Floor" and finishing with "Let's Get Loud," fans can look forward to a glistening trip through her greatest tunes.  Show-stopping choreography and stage production only J.Lo can provide will accompany this trip.

What Makes Istanbul Concert Special?

This event differs from others not just in name printed on the ticket.   Jennifer Lopez and her creative team are presently developing a one-of-a-kind project for her Istanbul performance.  This performance will honour and honor the unique character and culture of the city.  

• Expect choreographies and outfit designs created especially for this Istanbul performance that have never been seen before
• Establishing many stages, presenting a spectacular light show, and offering an engaging audio experience
•  A playlist comprising both vintage classics from her past and current songs from her most recent album.
•   Thousands of fans traveling from all around Europe and even beyond made for a very memorable evening.
• This is not just a concert; it's a celebration of music, fashion, and the power of stars that will only occur once in a lifetime.

About the Concert Venue: Festival Park Yenikapı

Let's have look at the venue of the Jennifer Lopez concert now. We know, venues are very important for concert lovers. And we have good news; the venue of the concert in Yenikapi Festival Park. Perfectly built for major events like concerts, festivals, and cultural festivities, Festival Park Yenikapı is among Istanbul's most renowned open-air sites.  This location, on the European side of Istanbul situated beside the Sea of Marmara, provides both accessibility and stunning vistas, therefore creating an amazing setting to see a live concert. The venue is perfectly accessible through many different kinds of transportation options.

Originally Yenikapı Square or Istanbul Metropolitan Rally and Event Area, the site runs from Samatya to the Yenikapı Ferry Terminal and was built via an amazing land reclamation effort from the sea. Here are some numbers for the geeks. Spanning a vast 673,000 square meters, it was meant to hold significant public events with a capacity to fit up to 2.5 million people at most.

Construction started in 2012; by 2014 the area had already begun holding many of the largest and most memorable events in the city.  Festival Park Yenikapı is becoming one of the best places in Istanbul for open-air concerts and international events because to its modern design, simple public transit access, and large, open space.

Your Time in Istanbul: The Most Effective Use

If you're in Istanbul for the concert in the first place, don't simply stop at the event.   Buying the Istanbul Tourist Pass® is the best method to view all the city has to offer.  The city is full with history, culture, and sights that will make a lasting impact.

Why Istanbul Tourist Pass® Is Best For You?

• Visit over 100 major sites and excursions, including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus cruises, and more.

• Take pleasure in the chance to hear comprehensive audio guides and avoid the line long ticket lines.

• Everything is digital: from your phone or other electronic device, you may generate instant QR codes, save your pass, and make reservations.

• The pass includes all transit options, including a discounted unlimited public transportation card, affordable hop-on hop-off bus rides, or amazing VIP airport transportation options. 

You may be in Istanbul for one day or five days, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® lets you maximize your time there and offers you the chance to save money while doing so.

Come for J.Lo, but for the city, you should remain!   Make your summer 2025 really memorable by combining the most exciting concert of the year with flawless sightseeing using the Istanbul Tourist Pass®. 

So… Are you ready to travel to Istanbul for the adventure of a lifetime? Buy your J-Lo tickets and then buy your Istanbul Tourist Pass®!

No city quite like Istanbul, where East meets West, where historical marvels mix effortlessly with contemporary energy, and where every corner tells a narrative.  Renowned for its ageless beauty, rich cultural legacy, and strategic position at the crossroads of continents, Istanbul is not just a destination for tourists but also a powerhouse for global trade and innovation.

Every year, Istanbul hosts world-class fairs and international exhibitions that influence the development of sectors in the world. So, thousands of visitors from all around the world come and join these fairs and events. One of these, BEAUTYISTANBUL, stands out as a top event in the cosmetics and personal care industry, attracting professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs from all over the world.  

This year, scheduled for 8–10 May 2025 at the TÜYAP Exhibition and Congress Center, BEAUTYISTANBUL is more than a trade exhibition; it's a worldwide gathering point for the beauty industry.

About BEAUTYISTANBUL: A Beauty Fair in the Most Beautiful City in the World

Since Istanbul is the meeting point of the world, there are many trade shows and fairs in this amazing city. More than simply a cosmetics trade show, BEAUTYISTANBUL is a worldwide business platform uniting all aspects of the beauty sector under one roof.  It sounds exciting, isn't it? This year, from 8 to 10 May at TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul, this fair invites people from all around the world for three days of unparalleled networking, creativity, and opportunity. 

The expo covers a broad product spectrum including personal care, color cosmetics, dermocosmetics, perfumery, hair and nail care, hygiene goods, halal cosmetics, and wellness solutions.  Welcoming 16,633+ professional trade visitors from 167 nations together in one of the most accessible and dynamic cities in the world, it becomes a strong platform for more than 1,162 exhibitors displaying 15,000+ products.

 Its three-in-one idea really distinguishes BEAUTYISTANBUL from others:

• A display of completed personal care and cosmetic items, BEAUTYISTANBUL
• A center for retail chains and companies looking to acquire their own branded items, Private Label Istanbul (PLI)
• Covering the whole cosmetic production process, CosMaking Istanbul is a specialist platform for raw materials, packaging, formulation, machinery, and labeling.

BEAUTYISTANBUL promotes significant B2B connections by means of its Hosted Buyer Program, which drew 644 high-profile buyers from 125 countries in its last edition, hence generating an effective and results-driven trade environment by means of on-site matchmaking and pre-arranged meetings.

Let's Meet the Organizer

IPEKYOLU International Exhibitions, a seasoned event organiser with more than twenty years of experience linking markets all around, lies behind the success of BEAUTYISTANBUL.  Founded in 1999, the firm started by helping Turkish businesses participate in top international exhibitions—especially in high-potential areas like Dubai and Kazakhstan.

The firm grew into many sectors and areas, including Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, from cosmetics and food to power and machines.  Their influence was particularly clear in opening doors to Dubai's expanding trade environment, pioneering Turkish commercial involvement in the area.

Laying the foundation for what would become BEAUTYISTANBUL, they planned one of Eurasia's largest cosmetics fairs in Istanbul from 2005 to 2014.  Originally launched in 2019, this ambitious new fair fast gained worldwide recognition and currently ranks among the Top 5 cosmetics shows globally which is a real tribute to the firm's vision, experience, and worldwide influence.

What to Do in Istanbul During BEAUTYISTANBUL 2025

Though you're in town for the business of beauty, take time to appreciate Istanbul's own beauty.  Istanbul, a city spanning two continents, combines history, culture, and modern luxury like no other place on earth.  Whether you want to relax after a hectic day at the fair or maximize your evenings, here are some amazing events you can enjoy, many of them included FREE or with special rates using Istanbul Tourist Pass®.

Enjoy in Timeless Relaxation: Ottoman Hammam Experience

In a quiet, marble haven inspired by the historic bathhouses of the Ottoman Empire, release all tension. Perfect for recharging after long exhibition hours, the Ottoman Hammam Experience features relaxing steam rituals, cleansing body cleanses, and foam massages.  Calming oil massages or body masks will help to improve your experience; finish it off with a cup of herbal tea or Turkish coffee.  Treat yourself like royalty with Istanbul Tourist Pass® and enjoy a special discount.

Ottoman Style Photo Shoot: Capture Royal Elegance

Have a free Ottoman-style picture shoot to fulfill your sultan fantasies!  From sophisticated harem clothing to striking janissary gear, dress in exquisitely crafted clothes and pose in a studio that captures the Ottoman era's grandeur.  Whether alone, with a companion, or in a group, this is your opportunity to bring home a one-of-a-kind keepsake.  Holders of Istanbul Tourist Pass® receive one complimentary photo in a session each pass!

Whirling Dervishes Ceremony: A Spiritual Journey

Experience the magical world of Sufi tradition with a Whirling Dervishes performance in a medieval wooden home close to Hagia Sophia.  A fantastic cultural breather from the hectic trade fair environment, this profoundly spiritual performance represents a voyage of heavenly love and connection.  The genuine environment of Abud Efendi Mansion makes this a must-see event that hits the soul.

Turkish Night Show & Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

With a nighttime cruise that features a tasty Turkish supper, traditional music, and folk dances from all throughout the country, glide beneath the stars along the famous Bosphorus Strait.  The view is just stunning from the glowing Maiden's Tower to the sparkling Bosphorus Bridge.  Your Istanbul Tourist Pass® makes this event FREE, so seize the opportunity to celebrate one of Istanbul's most enchanted evenings.

Bonus Advice: Istanbul Still Has More to Discover

Take use of Istanbul's great variety of attractions—many of which are included in your pass—while you are here:

• Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern, and many more Istanbul landmarks all have skip-the-line access.
• Audio tours of significant sites and guided city excursions
• Unlimited public transportation card and alternatives to public transit include VIP car services

Istanbul greets you with open arms and infinite finds whether your visit is for business, pleasure, or a combination of both. Buy your Pass now, ah and we have group discounts for your company!

Once again, Istanbul has put out the red carpet for one of its most eagerly awaited cultural events of the year: the 44th Istanbul Film Festival, run by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV).  From April 11 to 22, the city changes into a center of cinematic brilliance, greeting film enthusiasts, renowned directors, emerging talents, and business executives from all over the world.

Whether you're a passionate cinephile or merely in town searching for an amazing cultural experience, this year's festival has something really unique to offer.

General Info to Know About the Istanbul Film Festival

Started in 1982, the Istanbul Film Festival is Turkey's longest-running and most renowned film festival.  Held in April, the festival has a rich and varied program—showing everything from Turkish cinema to worldwide arthouse, restored classics, thought-provoking documentaries, and boundary-pushing independent films.

Apart from the screenings, the festival provides a dynamic venue for cultural exchange with lectures, discussions, retrospectives, and industry gatherings meant to inspire discussion and cooperation among filmmakers, reviewers, and fans.

What is New in 2025?

The 44th edition is all about celebrating the strength of narrative in modern society.  The program for this year's event features: 

• Fifteen short films and 139 feature films
• World, Balkan, and Turkish first screenings
• Presence of award-winning filmmakers and emerging talents

Running from April 11 to April 22, the festival offers a varied program reflecting the pulse of modern film.

Among the major attractions of 2025 is the retrospective on Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud, whose most recent picture Dreams has already taken home both the Golden Bear and FIPRESCI Award at the Berlin picture Festival.  On April 16, Haugerud will also take part in a festival discussion and attend other film screenings over the week.

Opening film of the festival, Cologne 75 by Ido Fluk. The movie was debuted at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival so in the festival it sets the tone for a really worldwide celebration of cinema.

Highlights of the Festival Program

These are only a handful of the movies and activities generating excitement in Istanbul. Of course the program has to offer so much more!

Films You Have to See in the Festival

• Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl, Special Jury Prize winner in San Sebastian
• Simon of the Mountains – Cannes Critics' Week Grand Prize winner
• Blue Trail – Berlin Grand Jury Prize
• Recent works by Burhan Qurbani, Michel Franco, Tom Tykwer, and François Ozon
• Restored classics from Jacques Demy, Robert Bresson, Wim Wenders, David Lynch, and David Lynch

Events & Talks

• April 13–15: Director Haugerud's Sex, Love and Dreams screenings
• Haugerud's Festival Talk on April 16 at Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts
•  Renowned photographer and writer Larry Towell talks about his work in war-torn areas all over.

Bridge Meetings

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Meetings on the Bridge (April 15–17) brings together industry professionals and filmmakers from 23 nations.  It remains Türkiye's most effective co-production platform by means of panels on documentary storytelling, creative financing, copyright, and artificial intelligence in film. Gülin Üstün will get the Cinema Honorary Award this year for her work on the show since 2006.

Discover the City with Istanbul Tourist Pass®

Should you intend to visit the event and explore more of this lovely city while you are here, be sure to obtain your Istanbul Tourist Pass®, your all-in-one digital sightseeing pass. If you are in the city for the festival, here is the great pass for you to see around while you are here!

The Istanbul Tourist Pass® lets you:

•  Avoid waiting in line at major attractions and museums, you can just skip the long ticket lines so catch the movies!
• Take part in audio-guided tours of famous locations so you don't need to find guided tours but can explore on your own!
• Take pleasure in free Bosphorus and Golden Horn cruises, hop-on-hop-off bus trips, and more.
• Make bookings and monitor your credit points with a smartphone it is all digital and up to your speed!

 Whether you're attending lectures at Yapı Kredi Culture Center or viewing movies at the famous Atlas Cinema, the pass allows you to easily combine cultural immersion with memorable sightseeing.

Ready to see Istanbul via the prism of world cinema? Buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass® to unlock the 44th Istanbul Film Festival and make the most of it.