ISTANBUL
Open House ISTANBUL

7-10 May 2026

About Open House Istanbul

Istanbul, built on seven hills and spanning two continents—Asia and Europe—has been shaped by centuries of cultural exchange and urban transformation, from Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire to the modern Republic. Its architecture reflects this layered history, where different communities, periods, and ways of life have left their mark on the city. Home to more than 16 million people, Istanbul is one of the world’s most complex and dynamic urban environments. Imperial monuments, nineteenth-century apartment buildings, wooden island mansions, and contemporary projects coexist within the same urban landscape.

Hosted by the Architectural Education Association (ArchED), Open House Istanbul is the first festival in Türkiye to be part of the global Open House Worldwide network. The current programme focuses on Beyoğlu and Büyükada, two areas that reveal distinct layers of Istanbul’s architectural and social history.

In Beyoğlu, one of the city’s most cosmopolitan districts, historic apartments, passages, churches, and cultural institutions reflect the district’s rich urban heritage. Historically known as Pera, the area developed as a multicultural quarter during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, shaped by Levantine, European, and local communities.

Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands, offers yet another architectural character. Known historically as a summer retreat, the island is defined by wooden mansions, villas, and historic institutions set within a calm, car-free landscape.

Open House Istanbul invites visitors to rediscover the city through the stories embedded in its buildings and streets. Dozens of locations, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of urban explorers come together for a unique architectural journey.