About Turkey: A Guide to Cities and Districts
Get to know Turkey's geography, main cities and districts — before any decision about residency, investment or living there
A Bridge Between Two Continents, a Destination Worth Knowing
With a unique location between Europe and Asia, deep historical and cultural ties with Iran, short flights and easy travel, Turkey has for years been one of the main destinations for Iranians for travel, study, investment and residency. The country is made up of 81 provinces (il), each divided into several districts (ilçe).
On this page we introduce the five main cities for Iranians — Istanbul, Antalya, Bursa, Izmir and Ankara — in terms of population, administrative divisions and key features. This content is for information and geography only; for advice on residency routes, property purchase or investment, see our Services page or Blog.
Turkey's Five Main Cities at a Glance
| City | Approx. Population | Districts | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | More than 15 million | 39 districts | Economic capital and main investment destination |
| Antalya | Nearly 2.7 million | 19 districts | Tourism hub and coastal property-based residency |
| Bursa | About 3.2 million | 17 districts | Industrial center, close to Istanbul, more affordable property prices |
| Izmir | About 4.5 million | 30 districts | Aegean coastal city with an open, cultural atmosphere |
| Ankara | Nearly 6 million | 25 districts | Turkey's political and administrative capital |
Get to Know Each City
Click a city to see full details of its geography, districts and key features.
One of the world's few major cities spanning two continents, Europe and Asia; Turkey's economic capital with 39 districts and a leading destination for investment, trade and property-based residency.
View Details Antalya AntalyaThe pearl of the Mediterranean coast and Turkey's fifth most populous city; a popular destination for tourism and coastal property-based residency, with a mild climate year-round.
View Details Bursa BursaThe first capital of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey's fourth most populous city; a center of the automotive and textile industries, a short distance from Istanbul.
View Details Izmir İzmirTurkey's third-largest city, on the Aegean coast; known for its open, cultural atmosphere, reputable universities and high quality of life.
View Details Ankara AnkaraTurkey's political and administrative capital in the center of the Anatolian plateau; home to government institutions, embassies and the country's leading universities.
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