Istanbul vs London - City Size Comparison

Is Istanbul Bigger Than London?

Yes — Istanbul is 3.5x larger than London by area. Istanbul spans 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) while London covers 1,572 km² (607 mi²) — a difference of 3,889 km². You could fit London inside Istanbul approximately 3 times.

About Istanbul

Turkey's largest city, spanning Europe and Asia. Known as "The City on Two Continents", Istanbul covers 5,461 km² with a population of 15.5 million. The city was founded around 660 BC. Istanbul is known for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Istanbul Metro.

Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents — Europe and Asia

About London

Capital of England and the United Kingdom. Often called "The Big Smoke", London has an area of 1,572 km² and is home to 9.0 million people. Its history stretches back to 43. Visitors come for Big Ben, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the London Underground.

London was the first city to have an underground railway, opening in 1863

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the London metropolitan area covers 8,382 km², which is 1.5x larger than greater Istanbul at 5,461 km². The Istanbul metro area is also more populous, with 15.5 million people compared to 14.3 million.

Population Density

Istanbul has a population density of 2,831 people per km² — a moderately dense city. London, with 5,712 people per km², is a densely populated city. London is noticeably denser, packing 2.0 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a oceanic climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Istanbul, it's 9:00 AM in London — a 3-hour time difference.