İstanbul Kaç Metrekare? How Big Is Istanbul?
Istanbul's metropolitan area covers roughly 5,343 square kilometers, making it one of the largest cities in Europe by both area and population — and the largest city in Turkey by a wide margin.
The city is genuinely bicontinental, straddling the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia. Around two-thirds of Istanbul's roughly 15.75 million residents live on the European side, with the remaining third on the Asian side, connected by bridges, tunnels, and an extensive ferry network.
For comparison, Istanbul's metropolitan area is larger than many entire countries by land area, and its population alone exceeds that of most European nations' largest cities combined.
Total area
~5,343 km²
Population
~15.75 million
European vs Asian side
~2/3 vs ~1/3 of residents
Istanbul by the Numbers
Total metropolitan area
- Figure
- ~5,343 km² (2,063 sq mi)
Population
- Figure
- ~15.75 million (as of late 2025)
Continents
- Figure
- 2 (Europe and Asia)
Residents on European side
- Figure
- ~2/3 of the population
Residents on Asian side
- Figure
- ~1/3 of the population
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total metropolitan area | ~5,343 km² (2,063 sq mi) |
| Population | ~15.75 million (as of late 2025) |
| Continents | 2 (Europe and Asia) |
| Residents on European side | ~2/3 of the population |
| Residents on Asian side | ~1/3 of the population |
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a Longer Stay in Istanbul?
A city this size means huge variety between neighborhoods — our team can help you figure out which part of Istanbul actually fits how you want to live.
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