7 Books About Istanbul To Read Before Visiting

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“All other cities are mortal, but I think Istanbul shall be eternal as long as mankind exists.”

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Straddling the Bosporus Strait between Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been one of the most significant hubs for trade, commerce, religion and military strategies as a gateway between West and East for over a thousand years. A city where the imprints of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and contemporary Turkish culture blur together, Istanbul is the most visited city in the world, attracting over twenty million foreign visitors in 2023. With a fascinating history, a profound identity and a stunning array of attractions, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s no wonder many authors have been inspired by Istanbul and its legacy. Join us at What We Reading as we dive into the city and bring you the best books about Istanbul ahead of your next trip!  

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Istanbul: A Tale Of Three Cities – Bettany Hughes

First up on our list of books about Istanbul is Bettany Hughes’ acclaimed 2016 work, A Tale of Three Cities. One of the most comprehensive guides to the history behind Turkey’s largest city, chronicling its path from Byzantium, Constantinople and finally its present-day name, Istanbul. Juggling between the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires, its architecture reflects the different cultures that have ruled over the city, which helps make it one of the most fascinating destinations on Earth. 

Hughes’ passion for Istanbul and its history is infectious throughout reading A Tale of Three Cities. Meticulously researched and delivered with a rich style, Hughes was present at Taksim Square during the Gezi Park protests whilst writing the book, lending a first-hand authenticity to its narrative. 

Istanbul: Memories And The City – Orhan Pamuk

Undoubtedly one of the most famous Istanbul books from one of its most iconic writers, Memories and the City is a 2003 travel memoir by Orhan Pamuk. Born in the city and still living in his family’s apartment building, Pamuk’s work is as much a self-portrait as it is a description of the sights and sounds that make Istanbul so unique. 

He masterfully weaves from the unhappiness of his parents to the run-down mansions sitting on the Bosphorous, embodying the melancholic Hüzün sensation all Istanbullus share. Memories and the City is a wonderfully told journey of place and identity, with Pamuk’s beautiful delivery capturing Istanbul in all of its wonders. 

Istanbul: City Of Majesty At The Crossroads Of The World – Thomas F. Madden

For one of the best books about Istanbul that condenses all of its history and civilizations both past and present into one comprehensive guide, look no further than Thomas F. Madden’s Istanbul. 

From its founding by the Greeks, the re-founding by Constantine I as New Rome to the christening of Istanbul by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1930, Madden brings Istanbul to life through the rich splendour of palaces, churches, baths, bazaars and monasteries, all of which can still be visited today. Written on the back of a lifetime of study and the latest case studies, Madden’s book is one of the best guides for not only capturing the beauty of Istanbul but also understanding its unparalleled significance. 

The Janissary Tree (Yashim The Eunuch #1) – Jason Goodwin

Jason Goodwin whisks readers back to 1836 and a series of murders have begun to rock the stability of the Ottoman Empire. With nowhere and no one left to turn to, the sultan summons Yashim. From deep in the Abode of Felicity, the most forbidden district of Topkapi Palace, to the bustling streets of Constantinople, Yashim investigates the killings with the help of an angry Polish ambassador, the queen mother and a transsexual dancer. His investigations soon led to him unearthing a clandestine conspiracy being planned by the Janissaries, once considered the empire’s most elite soldiers.

A compelling historical mystery, The Janissary Tree doubles as a thrilling read as well as a vivid portrait of Istanbul’s past. 

The 500 Hidden Secrets Of Istanbul – Feride Yalav

Whilst attractions such as Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque may all be iconic, there are hundreds of hidden gems that make Istanbul worth visiting. In this edition of the Hidden Secrets series, Feride Yalav shares her favourite insider tips, tricks and secret places to explore across the city. 

Featuring everything from the best restaurants for unearthing true modern Turkish delicacies, lesser-known architecture from the Ottoman era, cafes with breathtaking views, Insta-worthy beaches to the best live music venues, The 500 Hidden Secrets of Istanbul is the ultimate travel guide to experiencing the city like a local in the know! 

Midnight At The Pera Palace: The Birth Of Modern Istanbul – Charles King

At midnight December 31, 1925, the people of the newly-formed Turkish Republic celebrated a new year with a nationally unified clock and calendar for the first time. Yet, in Istanbul, things were far from united. Home to generations of Greeks, Armenians, Muslims and Jews, British diplomats, German professors, American businessmen, Russian nobles and Bolshevik assassins, the city became a melting pot of intrigue, violence and espionage. And nowhere brought all these fuses together more than the Pera Palace, Istanbul’s most glamorous hotel. 

In his 2014 book, Midnight at the Pera Palace, Charles King brings to life an array of charismatic and enigmatic characters and paints a portrait of how Istanbul stumbled into the modern world, redefining what it means to be cosmopolitan.

Istanbul Istanbul – Burhan Sönmez

Beneath the streets of Istanbul, four prisoners – a barber named Kamo, a student named Demirtay, a doctor and Uncle Kuheylan all sit and await their turn with the warden. In between the bouts of violence they endure, they sit and pass the time by telling each other stories of the city above them. 

Istanbul Istanbul is one of the finest Turkish books from the past decade. Written by Burhan Sönmez, it initially focuses on the lives and experiences of the four prisoners, but soon begins to centre firmly on the city itself. One of the most powerful books about Istanbul, it raises awareness for the suffering and hope that is present across the city today and meditates on the enduring power of creation, compassion and imagination.