Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Sultanahmet
Working imperial mosque famous for its blue Iznik tiles, open to visitors outside prayer times.
Halal Industry Event
Halal Expo Istanbul
- Dates
- November 25, 2026 – November 28, 2026
- Venue
- Istanbul Expo Center (IFM)
- Location
- Istanbul, Turkiye
- Sectors
- Food Beverage, Cosmetics +4
- Scale
- 500+ exhibitors
Turkey's premier international halal trade fair, also known as Helal Expo. The 2025 edition featured 500 exhibitors and 50,000+ visitors from 110 countries. Covers food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, modest fashion, and Islamic finance.
Industry Sectors
Who Should Attend
Halal certification bodiesFood & beverage manufacturersFoodservice & HORECA buyersCosmetics & personal-care brandsBeauty retailers & pharmaciesIslamic banks & takaful operatorsInvestment & fintech firmsModest-fashion brands & designers
Event Scale
500+Exhibitors
50,000+Expected Visitors
Event Highlights
- Approximately 500 participants at Helal Expo 2025
- Over 50,000 visitors in 2025
- 1,000 international buyers and over 9,000 international delegations
- Visitors from approximately 110 countries; exhibitors from approximately 50 countries
- Held concurrently with the 12th World Halal Summit
- Organised under the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) framework
- References a global halal market addressing over 2 billion halal consumers
Why Attend & Exhibit
Why Attend
- 1
Meet halal-certified food and beverage brands directly
- 2
Discover conservative travel alternatives through Islamic hospitality providers
- 3
Evaluate investment opportunities in the Islamic finance sector
- 4
Connect with leading conservative textile companies
- 5
Attend panels and seminars across food, tourism, finance, and textile sectors
- 6
Expand business networks with domestic and foreign companies
- 7
Obtain travel information and explore new destinations
- 8
Explore business opportunities with franchising brands
- 9
Compare offers comprehensively from multiple firms
- 10
Gather promotional materials and contracts directly from vendors
Why Exhibit
- 1
Connect with a halal consumer base of over 2 billion people
- 2
Establish Turkey as a central hub for the halal trade
- 3
Access international buyers and trade partnerships
- 4
B2B meetings with purchasing professionals from target markets
- 5
Participate in country-specific business forums
- 6
Direct interaction with halal certification bodies
- 7
Brand exposure opportunities
Booth Packages
Secure your exhibition space. Compare booth options, pricing, and inclusions below.
Shell Scheme Standard (9 sqm)
Shell Scheme3m x 3m
Price on request
Our estimate: ~$1,700. Not confirmed by the organiser. Inquire and we'll get you the official rate.
- Partition walls
- Carpet flooring
- Fascia board with company name
- 2 spotlights
- 1 power socket (220V)
- 1 info counter
- 2 chairs
- 1 waste basket
- Istanbul Expo Center (IFM), Yesilkoy
Shell Scheme Double (18 sqm)
Shell Scheme6m x 3m
Price on request
Our estimate: ~$3,100. Not confirmed by the organiser. Inquire and we'll get you the official rate.
- Partition walls
- Carpet flooring
- Fascia board with company name
- 4 spotlights
- 2 power sockets (220V)
- 1 reception counter
- 4 chairs
- 1 round table
- 1 waste basket
- Istanbul Expo Center (IFM) — gateway to Turkiye & OIC markets
Space Only (27+ sqm)
Space OnlyCustom (min 27 sqm)
Contact for pricing
- Empty floor space
- Power supply available (at extra cost)
- Custom stand build required
How to Exhibit at Halal Expo Istanbul
Secure your exhibition space and connect with global halal industry buyers.
Application Process
- 1
Register as exhibitor at helalexpo.com.tr/katilimci-ol/ or download brochure
- 2
Contact Discover Events for pricing
Where it's held
Istanbul Expo Center (IFM), Istanbul, Turkiye
Get directions →Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Istanbul, Turkiye
Halal Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the most comfortable cities in the world for a Muslim traveller. Türkiye is Muslim-majority, so halal food is the norm, the call to prayer sounds across the city, and historic mosques — the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye, Hagia Sophia — double as living places of worship. Straddling Europe and Asia, the city is served by metro, trams and ferries, all on a single Istanbulkart.
Currency TRYTürkiye Time, UTC+3 — no daylight saving.
Mosques and sights
Halal places to visit in Istanbul
Mosques and Islamic-heritage landmarks worth your time around the expo.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Sultanahmet
Former Byzantine cathedral now serving as a mosque and a major site of Islamic worship.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Fatih
Grand 16th-century mosque designed by Sinan, the resting place of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent.
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
Eyüpsultan
One of Islam's holiest sites in Istanbul, built at the tomb of the Prophet's companion Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
Topkapı Palace
Sultanahmet
Palace museum holding sacred Islamic relics with continuous Quran recitation in the relics chamber.
Halal food
Where to eat halal in Istanbul
Well-loved halal restaurants across Istanbul, from cheap local favourites to special-occasion dining.
Hamdi Restaurant
Turkish kebab$$
Eminönü
Famous southeastern kebab house overlooking the Golden Horn, serving alcohol-free Turkish grills.
Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine
Ottoman$$$
Sultanahmet
Recreates Ottoman palace recipes near the Blue Mosque with no alcohol served.
Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta
Turkish meatballs$
Sultanahmet
Historic spot since 1920 known for grilled köfte and a simple, halal-friendly menu.
Çiya Sofrası
Anatolian$$
Kadıköy
Beloved Anatolian kitchen serving regional stews and vegetable dishes, no alcohol.
Karaköy Güllüoğlu
Turkish dessert$
Karaköy
Iconic baklava maker since 1949, a halal-friendly sweet stop by the waterfront.
Hotels
Where to stay in Istanbul
Picks for every budget.
Luxury
Çırağan Palace Kempinski
Beşiktaş
Former Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus with five-star service and waterfront views.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet
Restored historic building steps from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Mid-range
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Sultanahmet
Well-reviewed boutique hotel a short walk from the main Old City sights.
Levni Hotel & Spa
Sirkeci
Comfortable mid-range hotel near Sirkeci station and the Grand Bazaar.
Budget
Cheers Hostel
Sultanahmet
Friendly budget hostel with a rooftop terrace close to Hagia Sophia.
Sultan Hostel
Sultanahmet
Long-running backpacker base within walking distance of the Old City landmarks.
Know before you go
The essentials
Everything a Muslim traveller needs to land in Istanbul with confidence.
Getting in
Istanbul Airport (IST)
• M11 Metro, ~35-45 min toward the city
• Havaist airport bus, ~60-90 min
• Taxi / iTaksi, 45-75 min
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Asian side) (SAW)
• Havabüs / metro, ~60-90 min
• Taxi, 45-75 min
Getting around
A dense network of metro, tram, funicular, Marmaray cross-Bosphorus rail and ferries connects both continents.
Use BiTaksi/iTaksi or insist on the meter (taksimetre); have your destination written down.
Weather in November
High ~15°C · Low ~9°C
Cool and often rainy late autumn.
Warm layers, a waterproof jacket and an umbrella. A scarf is handy for mosques.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities enter Türkiye visa-free for short stays (up to 90 days); others can apply online for an e-Visa before travel. Confirm requirements for your passport at the official e-Visa portal.
Money
Turkish Lira · TRY
Cards and contactless are widely accepted; carry some cash for bazaars and small eateries.
A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants.
Connectivity
Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom tourist SIMs at IST/SAW arrivals
Plug: Type C / F (European 2-pin) · 230V / 50Hz
Emergency
General: 112
Fire: 112
Safety
Generally safe; watch for pickpockets and overcharging in the busiest tourist areas, and use app-based or metered taxis.
Where to pray
Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque: Active mosque; visitors welcome outside prayer times, modest dress required.
Süleymaniye & New Mosque: Grand Ottoman mosques open for prayer across the old city.
Mosques & prayer rooms everywhere: Mosques in every neighbourhood; prayer rooms (mescit) at the airports, malls and transport hubs.
Getting here
Travelling from a major halal market?
Most halal-expo buyers and exhibitors fly in from the world's main halal hubs. Here's how to reach Istanbul from each. Entry rules vary by nationality, so check the Visa & entry note.
See the full Istanbul travel guide →
Sources: https://goturkiye.com · https://www.evisa.gov.tr · https://www.istanbul-airport.com
Prayer times during the expo
Calculated for Istanbul Expo Center (IFM) (Muslim World League method, Shafi'i Asr). These are approximate, confirm with a local mosque or a prayer-times app on the day.
| Day | Fajr | Sunrise | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 25 Nov | 06:26 | 08:03 | 12:51 | 15:20 | 17:39 | 19:10 |
| Thu 26 Nov | 06:27 | 08:04 | 12:51 | 15:19 | 17:38 | 19:10 |
| Fri 27 Nov | 06:28 | 08:05 | 12:52 | 15:19 | 17:38 | 19:10 |
| Sat 28 Nov | 06:29 | 08:06 | 12:52 | 15:19 | 17:38 | 19:09 |
About the Organiser
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Halal Expo Istanbul?
- Turkey's premier international halal trade fair, also known as Helal Expo. The 2025 edition featured 500 exhibitors and 50,000+ visitors from 110 countries. Covers food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, modest fashion, and Islamic finance.
- When is Halal Expo Istanbul 2026?
- Halal Expo Istanbul takes place from November 25 to November 28, 2026.
- Where is Halal Expo Istanbul held?
- Halal Expo Istanbul is held at Istanbul Expo Center (IFM), Istanbul, Turkiye.
- Who organises Halal Expo Istanbul?
- Halal Expo Istanbul is organised by Discover Events (in coordination with SMIIC / OIC).
- What industries does Halal Expo Istanbul cover?
- Halal Expo Istanbul covers food beverage, cosmetics, finance, textiles, tourism, pharmaceuticals.
- Who should attend Halal Expo Istanbul?
- Halal Expo Istanbul is most relevant to Halal certification bodies, Food & beverage manufacturers, Foodservice & HORECA buyers, Cosmetics & personal-care brands, Beauty retailers & pharmacies, Islamic banks & takaful operators, Investment & fintech firms and Modest-fashion brands & designers.
- How do I exhibit at Halal Expo Istanbul?
- Apply for a booth via the official exhibitor page: https://helalexpo.com.tr/en/become-an-exhibitor/. Available booth sizes: contact organiser for details.
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