Although Istanbul is a magical place that tempts visitors to get lost in it, it is also somewhat complicated and scattered. After all, this is one of the most crowded cities in the world, spread across two continents, and expanding at a dizzying speed. Therefore, it is always a good idea to use mobile apps to help you discover Istanbul. Whichever operating system your smart phone uses, there are many apps related to the city. However, it may be a tough task to find the most helpful ones. That’s why we have compiled a categorized list of the most popular and useful Istanbul apps that will come in handy during your next visit. GETTING AROUND The number one issue you’ll have to tackle in a city like Istanbul is how to get around. Its traffic is notoriously famous and it is not a terribly well planned city. The increasing tourism potential and the recent boom in real estate investment in Istanbul have made the city grow too fast and it’s a giant maze even for the locals. However, if you have these apps with you, you may find that it is actually quite accessible. There is a huge network of public transportation, tens of thousands of taxis and, of course, the friendly hospitality of Turkish people to help you get around town with ease.  Yandex.Maps, Yandex.Navigator: Google Maps and Street View may be your preferred tool for navigating and finding your way around the world, but while in Turkey, it is a good idea to have these two apps from Yandex. Most people prefer them to Google’s apps simply because they perform much better and more accurately. Get real-time traffic info, precise maps and webcam views to help you find your way in Istanbul. BiTaksi, Uber: Taxi-calling app Bitaksi is the most preferred app for locals and drivers alike. Uber is also gaining popularity and both of them are great options to catch a ride from anywhere, with options to pay with credit card and a driver’s ratings system that ensures a safer ride. TRAFI, Nasıl Giderim: Due to the incredibly fast expansion in the Istanbul property market, the city is constantly growing in size. And there are some distances that are simply too expensive for a taxi ride. Don’t worry, as this city also has a massive public transformation network. Download TRAFI or the municipality’s official Nasıl Giderim app to learn about the public transportation options to get to your destination in Istanbul, just like the locals do. The majority of luxury apartments, luxury properties and outlet malls are also located really far from the city center and these apps will help you discover many different neighborhoods of Istanbul.   FOOD Fixtable, Reztoran, Papyon: If you want to eat like a local, you can use any one of these apps to make reservations at thousands of restaurants around Istanbul. They all have English language support and there are restaurant ratings, customer reviews and lots of other content that will guide you during your culinary experiences in the city.  Yemek Sepeti: The biggest online food delivery platform in Turkey has listings of pretty much every single piece of food you can eat in Istanbul. If you don’t feel like leaving your hotel room after an exhausting day in the city, just order in whatever you feel like eating. You can pay cash on delivery or with your credit card, while you order online. Trip Advisor, Yelp, Zomato, Mekan.com: These apps help you investigate a restaurant or food you want to try, with many useful customer reviews, maps and photos. Be sure to do your research on these, if you don’t want to miss out on some of Istanbul’s best-kept secret recipes.  ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING Istanbul has a lot going on, all the time. Using the following entertainment and shopping apps will help you make the most out your visit. Discover exciting cultural events, concerts and festivals. Explore the city’s shopping destinations; catch great bargains and amazing offers. Whatever it is that you came to Istanbul to do, there is an app for that.  IKSV Mobil, Istanbul.net.tr, Biletix: With these apps, you will hardly miss an event in Istanbul. From concerts to festivals and art shows, you can follow almost all the art and culture activities in the city and even buy online tickets. Grand Bazaar: The oldest and biggest closed bazaar in the world surely deserves an app of its own. The Grand Bazaar app is like having a local guide walk you through the complex shopping ecosystem of the place. With its several entrances and maze-like, narrow streets, the famous bazaar can best be explored through such an app. Zorlu World, Cevahir, Marmara Forum, Trump Towers Mall: The famous malls in Istanbul also have their own apps. These will come in handy to explore what’s where, get directions, check shuttle times and even catch discounts.