The engine of Türkiye’s tourism economy welcomed 12.4 million visitors between January and August 2025, accounting for 35% of Türkiye’s international arrivals. (The city’s #2-ranked Airport helps.) Unsurprisingly, the hospitality market here is turbulent, with all the hoteliers you’d expect working for a piece of the City on Seven Hills. They’re vying for a traveller base that’s ready to shop, eat and explore – then tell the world about it. Istanbul tops this year’s rankings for TikTok Videos and ranks #3 for Facebook Check-Ins and #6 for Google Trends, driving the #7 ranking in our overall Lovability index. There’s plenty to post about: the #1-ranked shopping at the Grand Bazaar, Europe’s best urban parks, and the fourth-best restaurant scene in Europe (really). And just wait for the transformation of the Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci rail stations into cultural destinations, complete with an archaeopark over an unearthed ancient city. With international adoration secured, livability is Istanbul’s next challenge. Standard of Living, Air Quality and other Livability metrics trail far behind the city’s accolades. But that may be changing. New megaprojects are underway, and there are plans to inject the historic Beylerbeyi neighbourhood with more than 1,000 much-needed units. There’s also the city’s 2050 Vision, focused squarely on equitable living, mobility and city sustainability.