Overtourism is impacting Istanbul’s landmarks, local communities, and infrastructure. Explore expert insights, government strategies, and sustainable solutions to protect the city’s cultural heritage.

Istanbul and the Struggles of Overtourism: A Deeper Look

Istanbul is not only Turkey’s largest city but also a global magnet — a place where East meets West, with layers of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish heritage interwoven into daily life. According to the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, over 20 million foreign tourists visited Istanbul in 2023 alone — a record-breaking figure that surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

But this massive influx brings huge pressures on the city’s fragile cultural, historical, and social fabric.

1. Overcrowding at Historical Sites

Istanbul’s most famous landmarks — Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar — are facing overwhelming foot traffic. For instance:

• After Hagia Sophia’s reconversion into a mosque in 2020, visitor numbers skyrocketed.
• Preservation experts have raised alarms about structural degradation due to heavy tourist flows, especially since Hagia Sophia was not originally designed for millions of yearly visitors.

The floors, mosaics, and frescoes are suffering under the sheer number of shoes, flashes, and vibrations. UNESCO even issued a warning in 2022, asking Turkish authorities to better manage the site.

2. Rising Rents and Displacement of Locals

In districts like Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, Karaköy, and Galata, tourism-driven gentrification is pushing out local residents. A 2023 report by Istanbul’s Chamber of City Planners shows:

• Rental prices in tourist-heavy neighborhoods have increased by more than 70% compared to 2020 levels.
• Traditional businesses like bakeries and tailors are closing, replaced by souvenir shops, cafes, and boutique hotels.

This trend changes the social ecosystem of Istanbul’s neighborhoods, making them feel more like open-air museums than living communities.

3. Strain on Infrastructure

According to Istanbul’s Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Environmental Reports (2023):

• Waste production in central districts spikes by 40% during the tourist season.
• Public transportation, already crowded by a population of over 15 million, struggles to accommodate surges, leading to commuter dissatisfaction.
• Water consumption levels, especially in the summer, are critically high. Istanbul relies heavily on reservoirs like Terkos and Ömerli, and increasing demand raises concerns about long-term water security.

4. Loss of Authentic Cultural Atmosphere

The city’s authentic cultural practices — small artisan workshops, local tea houses, and neighborhood festivals—are eroding under the pressure of commercial tourism.

For example:

• Handmade crafts are being replaced by mass-produced “orientalist” souvenirs.
• Traditional culinary culture, once defined by small lokantas (cafés serving homemade meals), is giving way to tourist-orientated fast-food chains or expensive restaurants.

As a result, both locals and culturally sensitive travellers are finding Istanbul’s true essence harder to experience.

What Is Being Done?

Controlled Visitor Numbers at Key Sites

Starting in 2023, Istanbul authorities introduced new visitor limits for places like Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern. Advanced ticketing, time-slot entry, and controlled crowd management measures are in place to reduce strain.

Promoting Alternative Districts

The government and tourism boards are trying to shift tourist attention away from classic hotspots by promoting less-visited districts:

• Balat (historic Jewish and Greek neighborhood)
• Kadıköy and Moda (on the Asian side)
• Eyüp Sultan district, rich in Islamic history
• Princes’ Islands (car-free islands with Ottoman mansions)

This diversification aims to spread the benefits (and the pressures) of tourism more evenly across the city.

Encouraging Responsible Tourism

There are growing public awareness campaigns, like the “Respect Istanbul” initiative, urging tourists to:

• Dress modestly at religious sites
• Support local artisans
• Reduce waste
• Stay longer and spend more thoughtfully

Expert Opinions: A Warning and a Hope

Tourism professor Dr. Erhan Arısoy from Istanbul University stated in a 2023 interview with Anadolu Agency:

“If Istanbul becomes merely a ‘photo spot’ city, it will lose the deeper experiences that truly sustainable tourism seeks to protect. Managing visitor flows, respecting local life, and preserving cultural authenticity must be prioritized.”

On the other hand, Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu highlighted in his 2024 tourism sustainability plan:

“We aim to make Istanbul not just a city you visit, but a city you respect.”

Final Thoughts: Istanbul at a Crossroads

Istanbul’s overtourism problem is complex: it boosts the economy but risks destroying the very magic that attracts visitors in the first place.

If carefully managed — through decentralisation of tourism, protection of cultural spaces, investment in infrastructure, and community involvement — Istanbul can remain not just a beautiful destination, but a meaningful one for future generations.

Otherwise, the city risks becoming a victim of its own success.