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Istanbul Clues

Istanbul Tour Guide

Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map PDF (Updated → 2024)

12 April 2024 by Serhat Engül

There are many tourist attractions in Istanbul. Visitors to the city first focus on buildings such as Hagia Sophia , Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. These are easy to find as they are within walking distance of each other. However, in order to find other historical sites, it is necessary to examine the Istanbul tourist attractions map . Because there are many more places to explore in Istanbul.

While doing research on the internet, I realized that there were not enough visual resources about Istanbul. Of course, it is possible to find various maps, but I have not come across a resource where foreign tourists can find all they need to know.

As a tour guide in Istanbul for 15 years, I know what those who want to visit Istanbul need to know. For this reason, I tried to prepare a comprehensive article that will meet all the needs of those planning a vacation in Istanbul.

Table of Contents

Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map PDF 2024

Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map (2024) post has ten titles. We will explore Istanbul together on the maps I have shared under these headings. We will start from the most popular tourist destinations such as Sultanahmet and Beyoglu, and slowly expand the circle.

First of all, I should point out that these maps do not belong to me. I used maps published by various sources as drafts and processed them. In the article, you will see a selection of maps published by Beyoglu Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Google Maps and Turkish Airlines.

I processed these maps with Microsoft Paint. The maps may seem primitive as I am not a professional in this field. However, they provide visual support for what I want to tell. Likewise, it will enable readers to gain basic knowledge.

I made PDF files of the Istanbul tourist attraction maps that have enough details to be examined closely. You can find links to PDF versions of each Istanbul tourist map under the relevant headings. You can download these maps for free. Yes, now let’s start our article with the hope that it will be useful.

1. Fatih (Historic Peninsula) and Beyoglu

Most of the historical places in Istanbul are located in Fatih (Old City) and Beyoglu (New City). For this reason, it is necessary to know well where these two districts are located.

Fatih district is better known as the Old City or Historical Peninsula and has a history dating back to 2700 BC. The hill where Topkapi Palace is located in the east of the Historic Peninsula is the place where Istanbul was first founded in ancient times.

There are countless historical monuments to visit in the Historic Peninsula. The most famous of these works stand out as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque , Topkapı Palace and Grand Bazaar . These historical artifacts, which host millions of visitors a year, form the showcase of Istanbul.

Beyoglu district is also a very old settlement. However, the number of historical monuments is less compared to Fatih district. Beyoglu stands out with mostly walking streets, shopping places and activities.

Tourists who come to Istanbul and stay for 2 or 3 days usually visit these two districts. It only takes a few days to visit the famous mosques and museums in the Historic Peninsula and explore Istiklal Street (Beyoglu) and its surroundings.

Apart from visiting the Historic Peninsula and Beyoglu, the most common activity is taking a boat tour on the Bosphorus. Those who have time go to the Asian Side and visit the Kadıkoy Fish Market. According to millions of tourists, Istanbul consists only of these districts.

The Fatih and Beyoglu map above shows us the location of the two districts and the Golden Horn that separates them. Galata Bridge joins the two districts separated by the Golden Horn, which is a natural waterway.

There is Eminonu on one side of the Galata Bridge and Karakoy on the other. These two districts are places that represent the historical development and cosmopolitan food culture of Istanbul.

2. Map of Istanbul Old City (Sultanahmet)

The best way to travel between Istanbul Old City and Beyoglu districts is to use the tram. You can reach historical monuments in Sultanahmet from many parts of Istanbul thanks to the tram. On the other hand, you can use the tram to get to Dolmabahce Palace , which is the most important work to see after the places in Sultanahmet.

You can see the tram stops marked in green on the tourist map of Istanbul Old City . Historical monuments to see in Sultanahmet and its surroundings are lined up on the road between Beyazit and Eminonu tram stops.

After Eminonu , which is the last stop in the Old City, the tram crosses the Galata Bridge and reaches Beyoglu district. On the next map, you will see that the tram reaches Karakoy after passing the Galata Bridge.

You can view the Sultanahmet Map on the new tab via this link .

3. Map of Beyoglu (Taksim) District

Karakoy is one of the fastest growing districts of Istanbul in recent years. Karakoy, where many boutique hotels, cafes and restaurants have opened in recent years, has become a tourist attraction. Karakoy neighborhood became even more popular with the opening of Galataport .

After Karakoy, the tram stops at Tophane district where Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque is located. Findikli , the next stop, is where the Istanbul Modern museum is. Kabatas , the last stop, is the most important stop of the tram in Beyoglu.

You can see that Kabatas is a transfer point on the tourist map of Beyoglu District . When you get off the tram at the last stop, Kabatas, you can easily go to Taksim Square by the F1 funicular connection. Or you can walk to Dolmabahce Palace in just 5 minutes.

Taksim Square is also where Istanbul’s most popular walking street, Istiklal Avenue , begins. While walking on Istiklal Avenue, you will pass through two squares called Galatasaray Square and Tunnel Square. You can also reach Galata Tower by following the same route.

You can view the Beyoglu (aka Taksim) map on the new tab from here .

4. Golden Horn Bridges

We mentioned that Beyoglu and Fatih districts are separated from each other by the Golden Horn. There are 3 main bridges connecting the two districts. One of them is the Historical Galata Bridge . The bridge, over which the tram passes, is used extensively by tourists.

On the other hand, you can reach Ataturk Bridge from Taksim Square through Tarlabasi Boulevard, which extends to the Historical Peninsula. Thanks to this bridge, you can connect to Unkapani and reach Ataturk Boulevard, the heart of Fatih district.

There are historical monuments such as Valens Aqueduct and Sehzade Mosque on Ataturk Boulevard. There are also Zeyrek Mosque (aka Church of Christ Pantokrator ) and Suleymaniye Mosque in its close vicinity.

The third bridge on the map, the Metro Bridge , belongs to the M2 Metro line from Haciosman and going to Yenikapi. Thanks to this bridge, those coming from Beyoglu can reach Marmaray.

On the other hand, those who set off from Istanbul Old City can reach places such as Taksim Square, Sisli and Levent by M2 Metro. The best shopping malls of Istanbul are located in these districts.

You can view the Golden Horn Bridges on the new tab via this link .

5. Istanbul Public Transport Map

Istanbul metro has made great progress in recent years. With the integration of Marmaray into the system, travel in the European and Asian sides of Istanbul has become much easier.

In this way, someone who gets on Marmaray from Istanbul Old City can go to Kadikoy in just 8 minutes, and from there you can reach the interior of the Asian Side by transferring to the M4 metro.

One of the biggest problems of tourists who used to stay in the Old City was that it was difficult to reach shopping places of Istanbul . However, now it is very easy to go from Yenikapı to Sisli and Levent via M2 metro. These are the districts of Istanbul with modern shopping venues.

In addition, with the Marmaray and M4 connection, getting to the shopping centers on the Asian Side and Sabiha Gokcen Airport has become very easy.

If you want to learn more about the metro, Marmaray and tram in Istanbul, you can also take a look at the Istanbul Metro Map article. In that article, I explained the Istanbul Public Transport Map in detail.

You can find the PDF version of the map above from this link .

6. Istanbul Ferry Map

Istanbul Ferry Map shows us the locations of the major ferry ports. Istanbul’s nostalgic ferries allow us to travel between the European and Asian sides as well as to take a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul.

For example, piers 1, 2 and 5 on the map show tour boats making a Bosphorus tour. Pier 1 belongs to the Turyol Bosphrous boats. Pier number 2 belongs to Sehir Hatlari ‘s Bosphorus Cruise Ferries. Pier 5 belongs to Dentur Bosphorus boats departing from Kabatas. You can find more explanatory information for the Bosphorus cruise in this article .

Pier 3 symbolizes the ferries departing from Eminonu (Old City) to Uskudar and Kadikoy on the Asian side. There are actually two separate piers here, but I thought a single figure would be enough for both.

Pier 6 symbolizes the ferries departing from Besiktas to Kadikoy and Uskudar. Piers 7 and 8 are located in Uskudar and Kadikoy , two touristic districts of the Asian Side. Ferries depart from both to Besiktas and Eminonu.

You can view the above Istanbul ferry map as PDF via this link .

7. Istanbul Accommodation Map

It is difficult to decide where to stay in Istanbul. Because there are thousands of hotels in Istanbul and it is difficult to decide which area is best to stay. Accommodation places such as Sultanahmet, Beyoglu and Besiktas have both pros and cons.

Istanbul Accommodation Map shows us the locations of the best hotels in Istanbul . If you want to dig deeper about this subject, you can find all the details in the article on the best places to stay in Istanbul .

Istanbul accommodation map also serves us as a map of Istanbul tourist attractions. Because the most important historical monuments of Istanbul are located in these marked districts.

You can view the map above in high resolution here .

8. Map of Istanbul Districts

The maps I have shared so far included mostly tourist attractions. Map of Istanbul Districts allows us to view the city from a wider perspective. Thanks to this map, you can see the other districts where Istanbul residents live from a bird’s eye view.

There is only one thing that needs to be updated on this map. That is, Ataturk Airport is not used anymore. The location of the new Istanbul Airport is not visible on the map. However, we can say that it is close to Kemerburgaz, which can be seen in the far north.

On the other hand, Sabiha Gokcen Airport, located inside the Asian Side, can be clearly seen on this map. There are even Prince Islands that we cannot see on other maps.

You can view a better version of the Istanbul Districts Map from here .

9. Istanbul Sightseeing Map

The touristic places of Istanbul are mainly gathered in five districts. These are Fatih, Beyoglu, Besiktas, Uskudar and Kadikoy districts. This high resolution map prepared by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality introduces all the must-see places in these five districts with illustrations.

As a traveler, I have always liked maps with illustrations. Because the location of historical artifacts becomes clearer in illustration maps. Historic places depicted like artwork on the map become more attractive.

Istanbul Sightseeing Map creates the same effect by highlighting all the iconic buildings of the city. Ferries, Maiden’s Tower, stadiums and historical artifacts are beautifully highlighted. Even the seagulls, one of the symbols of Istanbul, have not been forgotten.

You can find the PDF version of Istanbul Sightseeing Map from here .

10. Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map

Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map also includes illustrations. This map published by Turkish Airlines shows us historical places to visit in Istanbul.

Those who visit the places marked on this map will have an excellent Istanbul experience. Because the map contains all the places that should be visited in Istanbul for the first time.

Of course, those who stay in Istanbul for a long time or those who come for the second time can visit more specific places. As Istanbul has hosted many civilizations, it has a history consisting of many layers.

Istanbul has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires in history. You can concentrate on each of these periods separately. For example, the Byzantine history tour in Istanbul is a good example of this.

Most of the popular museums in Istanbul can be entered with a museum card. The museums marked on the map above actually show museums that can be visited with the museum card. You can also check the Istanbul Museum Pass article for more information on this subject.

You can find the PDF of Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map from this link .

Istanbul Tourist Maps on Youtube

I recently published a video on Istanbul Tourist Attraction Maps on YouTube . Since I am not a videographer, I cannot say that it is technically a perfect video. But I am sure that you will get useful information if you watch it to the end. If you will find this content useful, you may like the video and subscribe to my channel. And finally, I wish you a good trip. You can find the related video by clicking the link here .

About Serhat Engül

Hello explorer of Istanbul! This is Serhat Engul. I am a licensed TOUR GUIDE IN ISTANBUL. I offer PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR which includes a visit to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazaar. This is a fantastic option to see some of the ICONIC LANDMARKS in the whole of Istanbul and you’ll receive plenty of background information on each location to enlighten you. You may see the details of this tour on the HOMEPAGE of the blog. I wish you a wonderful trip!

Reader Interactions

9 September 2018 at 19:25

Great maps and information, I will be in Istanbul in two weeks for vacation, definitely I will use this website

9 September 2018 at 22:23

Hello Nora, thank you for expressing your appreciation. Good motivation for us to carry on improving the blog. Have a good holiday in Istanbul!

1 March 2024 at 00:51

Serhat, you have done an exceptional job in providing this information.

1 March 2024 at 18:34

Hi Sanjay, thank you for the feedback. Have a nice trip!

26 April 2019 at 05:29

Serhat, This is an absolutely terrific resource. The best and most complete (and useful) info I have found for visiting Istanbul. Will arrive there next week and can’t wait to see it all, thanks to your help. Thanks for creating this great blog. Doug in DC

26 April 2019 at 09:57

Hi Doug, thank you very much for this great feedback. It’s encouraging to see such reviews. I wish you a great holiday here. Kind regards, Serhat.

7 May 2019 at 13:37

Hi Serhat! Thank you for the detailed maps. I’ll be in Istanbul for about 2 and a half days in the third week of May. I’m staying at Hotel Anthemis,Fatih. Could you please suggest a suitable itinerary for 9 pax. Also we are vegetarians so could you recommend good restaurants as well?

7 May 2019 at 17:22

Hi Rachita! My favorite itinerary is: 1st day: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar >>> 2nd day: Short Bosphorus Cruise Tour, Suleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, Galata Tower (and walking on Istiklal Avenue from the tower) >>> 3rd day (As a half-day activity) Take a ferry to Kadikoy (Asian Side) visit the fish market, make shopping on Bahariye Avenue, eat at Chiya (Çiya) Restaurant. >>> For the best restaurants of Istanbul, you are advised to check Food & Drink Category . There are a lot of detailed posts about it.

30 May 2019 at 14:53

This article is very helpful. Thank you!

30 May 2019 at 17:14

Dear Hoxha, thank you for the great review! I am glad that it’s been helpful to you.

28 September 2019 at 13:50

I cant thank you enough. This website is awsome. 🙂

28 September 2019 at 21:19

Dear Kazi Uddin, thank you for the feedback. It’s great to see that the website has been useful to you!

16 August 2021 at 13:21

Dear Serhat, thanks a lot about your complete and useful website, it helps many tourists through their trips 🌷🌷

16 August 2021 at 18:07

Dear Asghar, thank you so much for your nice words. It feels really cool to see the blog work for travelers.

30 October 2019 at 14:41

Dear Serhat,

Thank you so much for this detailed information.

I have been in Istanbul many times about seven or eight times or more.

I’ll definitely use this website whenever i visit Istanbul. I’ve realized there are so many places i didn’t cover.

I’m working with Turkish Airlines here in Tanzania, i never get tired visiting your beautiful city.

Best regards, Suleiman.

30 October 2019 at 21:41

Dear Suleiman, thank you for the feedback. I am glad that website inspired you for seeing more in Istanbul. Best, Serhat.

7 December 2019 at 00:48

Very complex your blog. We are visiting Istanbul during New’s Year Eve 2020. We will stay 8 nights. Could you please help us with some advices regarding the best location and also some ideas for the itinerary? Where can we see the fireworks?

Thank you, Bogdan

7 December 2019 at 12:48

Hi Bogdan, thank you for your nice words about my blog. I think you have made two comments under different posts. The first question is the same. So I answered your question regarding the New Year Celebrations in Istanbul on Festivals and Events page.

About your itinerary, I recommend you two blog posts: Things to do in Istanbul and Places to visit in Istanbul . About the best area to stay, you may want to read this one: where to stay in Istanbul .

I hope these links would be useful. Cheers!

1 February 2020 at 20:37

Visiting Istanbul from India in March 2020. Found your website so useful. Will be referring to it the WHOLE TIME!

1 February 2020 at 21:15

Hi Seher, thank you for the feedback. I wish you to have a great holiday in Istanbul!

14 April 2020 at 18:17

Dear Serhat

Thank you for providing detailed map of Istanbul. I`ll be in Istanbul in 18-21 Aug, 2020. I shall definitely use you website during the the journey of Istanbul. Thank Nazir

14 April 2020 at 19:51

Dear Nazir,

Thank you very much for your kind words about my website. I wish that you would have great time here in Istanbul.

10 January 2021 at 10:03

Wow, what an amazing info, i will be there soon after the lock down. Thank you brother for this detailed information.

10 January 2021 at 11:45

Salam Mohamed, thank you for the feedback. I hope you will have a great time in Istanbul.

20 December 2021 at 18:54

Wonderful maps. Some day I’ll return to Istanbul – I spent a year living in Moda/Kadikoy and have a deep desire to return. I’ll definitely be contacting you if I’m ever so lucky again. Thanks much!

20 December 2021 at 19:28

Hi Robert, thank you very much for your feedback on the maps. Indeed, Kadikoy and especially Moda district is a great place to live. The new generation cafes and restaurants in Moda are the best in their field.

In recent years, Istanbul’s nightlife sector and Cihangir’s intellectual settlers have also moved there. In this way, Moda is the coolest district in Istanbul in recent years. I hope you will come back to Istanbul sometime in the future.

21 January 2022 at 18:07

Serhat, the information you give is precious and exceptional! and it is so clear and in order.. Right now, it is impossible to know when one will be able to travel, but when the time comes, I will have your info printed, and will contact you for a guided tour. You are a generous professional. The best of luck for you, and I hope we will meet in not too long.

21 January 2022 at 18:37

Dear Dinorah Sanz, thank you for your generous comment. Seeing such detailed reviews is definitely worth the effort I put into writing these blogs. It’s nice to be able to help people from different parts of the world. Hope to see you one day in the future!

26 March 2022 at 14:35

Great article and very helpfull. Please do you know are shops, malls and caffes working on 1st and 2nd of May 2022. Thank you!

26 March 2022 at 20:50

Hello Ana, on May 1, cafes, malls and shops will be open. However, some of the main roads in the city may be closed due to the May Day celebrations. Especially getting to Taksim Square can be difficult.

27 March 2022 at 11:48

Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and insights. The maps, guide to public transport and narratives were very helpful. These made my Istanbul trip so much easier.

I have to come back to absorb Istanbul more and would hopefully be able to get you to guide. Stay blessed and keep making the World a better place.

27 March 2022 at 19:55

Hi Symran, thank you very much for your feedback. Yes, Istanbul is too big to explore in one visit. You can contact me next time you want to go into more details.

18 April 2022 at 10:43

Hello, could you post more information about the car parks in Istanbul. We will travel by car and we want the car to be in the parking lot for the days we are there / 3 nights /. Our hotel is in Fatih on Pierre Loti Street. Great City Guide ! Thank you!

19 April 2022 at 12:08

Parking lots operated by the Metropolitan Municipality in Istanbul are called ISPARK. As far as I know, there is a large-capacity parking garage in Eminonu.

Access to Sultanahmet (Old City) by car is very limited. There are several open parking spaces in the streets surrounding the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Some of these parks are operated privately, while others are provided by ISPARK for daily parks. There is an ISPARK very close to the Blue Mosque. Next to the Sultanahmet Palace hotel.

19 April 2022 at 09:09

Wow!! Very helpful info.. Already download your maps to my phone. and will bring it with me to Istanbul next month..

Thank you very much Serhat…

19 April 2022 at 12:09

Hi Nate, thank you for this great feedback!

23 May 2022 at 13:56

Really useful maps and advice – thanks so much! Going for 5 nights at the end of June . Do you have any recommendations for a (cheap) Bosphorus sunset tour with no alcohol or music on board but with good, informative tour? Also, any suggestion of nice places to eat in the SultanAhmet area? Look forward to hearing from you!

23 May 2022 at 19:40

Hi Shannon, thanks for the feedback. In fact, the answers to your questions are already in the blog posts. You can find my advice about Bosphorus tours in this article . I also listed the best restaurants in Sultanahmet in this one .

26 May 2022 at 23:54

Thanks for the links! This is one of the best Istanbul blogs I have come across mashaAllah!

27 May 2022 at 23:37

You are welcome Shannon. Have a nice trip!

5 June 2022 at 02:51

Thanks for the great information. We are a party of four and would be interested in a half day tour. We are arriving on Friday night 6/9/22. Could you please give us more information and pricing. Thanks, Greg.

6 June 2022 at 11:15

Hi Greg, thank you for the feedback. I will contact you from the email address registered in the system.

8 July 2022 at 10:18

Is there a possibility to go from Istanbul to the Black Sea?

8 July 2022 at 21:41

Hi Miguel, yes it is possible to go to the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. Actually, you can do this in two ways.

First, you can take the Bosphorus Cruise ferry that departs from Eminonu (6-hour full-day excursion) and go to Anadolu Kavagi. The closest village to the Black Sea coast of the Bosphorus is in this area.

Secondly, you can go to Kilyos (European Side) or Şile (Asian Side), which have beaches on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul.

6 August 2022 at 11:04

Thanks for the useful blog. Its great! We will be visiting Istanbul this month with 4 children. Please advise if its worth buying day metro or bus pass and also museum passes.

Which museums are free and which one need buying passes? I prefer walking to tourist sites. Please advise best places for breakfast and dinner.

6 August 2022 at 19:51

This website was created to answer these questions. If you open the categories above and take a look at the articles, you will find answers to your questions.

Considering your questions, I suggest you review the “Clues”, “Getting Around” and “Food & Drink” categories. Have a nice holiday!

10 September 2022 at 14:02

Hello to Istanbul Clues team,

Very well done and professional. Thanks for the information you shared. I will be relying on your tips during my visit to Istanbul.

10 September 2022 at 15:11

Dear Amirhossein, Thanks for your nice words about my blog. Feedback like this encourages me to do more. Have a nice holiday!

14 October 2022 at 21:34

I am so pleased to have found your site, it is very helpful. Thanks for your effort.

15 October 2022 at 11:20

Hi Norman, thank you for the feedback. Have a nice trip.

24 May 2023 at 10:10

What a beautiful write up. Istanbul is printed in my mind now. I know where to go and what to see.. Thanks for sharing this, kudos.

Hands down, best ever compilation of information.

24 May 2023 at 12:35

Hi Richa, I am glad to see that this piece of information worked for you. Thank you for the feedback and have a nice trip in Istanbul!

11 June 2023 at 15:47

Hi Serhat Engül,

I have been reading your articles on the internet, you have some very good information.

I want to buy the Istanbul Museum card, I will be in Istanbul on June 22nd, 2023. Can I buy the card online or best to buy in Istanbul? Is it a physical plastic card or a pdf to print at home? Which site would be the best to buy the card in Istanbul, the shortest queues?

Thank you, Stephen

12 June 2023 at 17:56

Hi Stephen, thanks for your kind feedback on the blog. I recommend you to buy the museum pass from Istanbul. The Museum Pass is a plastic card that takes only 5 minutes to purchase at the ticket offices of museums. You can find the rest of the details in this article .

15 August 2023 at 17:36

Hi Serhat… It is great finally I can find this useful information. I am going to visit Istanbul, Bursa and Mount Uludag in the end of this year 2023 from 29 December to 02 Janunary. How is the weather would be… I hope it will not be too cold…

16 August 2023 at 17:50

Hello Lusia, the date range you mentioned is the coldest time in Istanbul. Normally we expect the weather to be between 4 and 12 degrees on those dates.

However, due to global warming in recent years, the air temperature is unpredictable. For example, December of 2022 was above 15 degrees, almost like April of a spring.

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Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul Clues travel guide is designed to introduce you to the history, museums, restaurants and culture of istanbul.

Private Tour Guide in Istanbul

Author of this blog, Serhat Engul, is a licensed tour guide based in Istanbul.

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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Istanbul

Now the largest city in Europe, bustling Istanbul straddles the banks of the Bosphorus and has long been billed as the place where East meets West. Istanbul is a city that wears its cultures and history well, blending them into an exciting city that has much to offer travelers from around the world. Founded during Neolithic times, Istanbul today is a modern city that remains true to its historic heritage through its Byzantine monuments, and ancient bazaars.

Aside from standout tourist attractions in Istanbul, such as Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, there are also busy bazaars, atmospheric old neighborhoods and thriving dining and nightlife scenes to delve into.

17. Spice Bazaar

A literal treat for the senses, Istanbul’s colorful and chaotic Spice Bazaar is a fun and fragrant place to explore. One of the most famous and popular covered shopping complexes in the city, its spice-laden stalls and shops lie in the Fatih district, within walking distance of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Built in the 1660s, the bazaar exhibits exquisite architecture with more than 85 shops now lining its elegant indoor streets. Besides buying all kinds of colorful spices, you can also shop for souvenirs and sweets here. There’s everything from dried fruit and nuts to hand-crafted jewellery and textiles on sale.

16. Kiz Kulesi

Occupying a small islet at the southern entrance to the Bosphorus Strait, the ancient watchtower of Kız Kulesi makes for a striking sight. Meaning the ‘Maiden’s Tower’ in Turkish, it has an observation deck and restaurant that offer fantastic views over Istanbul.

Remarkably enough, a tower has stood on the isle for almost 2,500 years with everyone from the Athenians and Romans to the Byzantines and Ottomans having erected one. Over the centuries and millennia, it has acted as a watchtower, lighthouse and quarantine station, and has even featured in numerous films such as Hitman and The World is Not Enough.

15. Gulhane Park

One of the largest, most beautiful parks in Istanbul, Gülhane lies right alongside the top tourist attraction, Topkapi Palace. Once only accessible to the royal court, its gorgeous grounds and gardens are a delight with the park boasting some stunning scenery and divine views over the Bosphorus.

Popular with locals and tourists alike, its leafy paths take you past pretty flower beds and fountains with lush green spaces and groves of trees dotted about. In addition, it contains the Istanbul Museum of the History of Science & Technology in Islam; and the Sublime Porte, a remarkable rococo gate that once led to the outermost courtyard of the palace.

14. Galata Bridge

Spanning the breadth of the Golden Horn, Galata Bridge is one of Istanbul’s most-loved landmarks, having featured in countless plays and poems, paintings and novels over the years. The fifth bridge to stand in the same spot, it connects the city center to the site of the imperial palace and other important institutions, such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Lined by fishermen, the bridge offers up delightful views over the surrounding waters with shops, restaurants and nargile cafes to be found beneath it.

With seagulls shrieking overhead, boats passing below and the spires of mosques to be spied atop of the surrounding hills, Galata Bridge really is an atmospheric place to visit and is very lively at almost all times of the day.

13. Hippodrome

Now a popular meeting place and promenade, the Hippodrome used to instead host dramatic chariot races, gladiator fights, and even political debates. While not much of it remains, the square is pleasant to stroll around with some amazing ancient monuments and statues still on show.

For centuries, the Hippodrome lay at the center of life in the city and was decadently decorated with statues of emperors and gods, animals, and heroes. It never really recovered though from the sacking of Constantinople in 1204 when much of its stone was carted off.

Highlights now include its almost 3,500 year-old Obelisk of Theodosius and gorgeous German Fountain with the Blue Mosque also lying alongside it.

12. Taksim Square

The heart of modern Istanbul, the large and lively Taksim Square lies right in the center of the city, surrounded by countless shops and restaurants, hotels, and historic sites. Not only a popular tourist attraction and major transportation hub, it hosts lots of public events with everything from parades to protests taking place.

Besides being home to one of the only remaining green spaces in the area, it also encompasses the impressive Republic Monument with the massive, majestic, and modern Taksim Mosque rising up behind it. In addition to its innumerable establishments, Taksim borders the multi-purpose Ataturk Cultural Center which hosts operas, plays and concerts while a charming heritage tram line also meanders its way through the square.

11. Fener & Balat

Full of beautiful old buildings, bustling businesses, magnificent churches and synagogues; the winding cobbled streets of Fener & Balat are a treat to explore. Lying alongside the Golden Horn on the European side of Istanbul, the two historic neighborhoods are increasingly popular with tourists due to their scenic streets and lovely ambience.

Formerly home to large Greek and Jewish populations, the districts now have a wealth of interesting historic sites, such as the striking Phanar Greek Orthodox College, Ahrida Synagogue, and Bulgarian Iron Church.

Aside from taking in all the attractive architecture, you can also stop by its excellent local restaurants and cafes with countless antiques shops and bazaars.

10. Galata Tower

At 67 meters (219 feet) high, the Galata Tower rules over the Istanbul skyline, offering great views of the old city and its surroundings. The medieval stone tower, known as the Tower of Christ, was the tallest building in Istanbul when it was built in 1348.It still stands tall over Istanbul today.

The tower has been modified over the centuries, at one time being used as an observation tower to spot fires. Today, its upper reaches include a café, restaurant and a night club, both reached by elevator in the nine-story building, where one can find the stunning vistas.

9. Istanbul Archaeological Museum

One of the most important museums in Turkey, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is actually three museums: the Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum and the Tiled Kiosk Museum.

The three museums combined contain more than 1 million objects from civilizations around the world. Founded in 1891, it was the first Turkish museum, and was located on the Topkapi Palace grounds. The Tiled Kiosk dates back to 1472. The museums contain thousands of precious artifacts, including the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great.

8. Chora Church

The Chora Church may be a little bit off the beaten tourist path, but visitors say the beautiful Byzantine art is well worth the effort to get there. Magnificent mosaics and frescoes depict the life of Jesus and his mother, Mary. Known as the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, it has been described as one of the most beautiful surviving works of Byzantine architecture.

Dating back to the days of Constantine, the Chora was a monastery in its early years; a few centuries later, it became a mosque, and in 1948, it was converted to a museum.

7. Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern has been providing Istanbul residents with water since the sixth century when it was ordered built by the Roman Emperor Justinian I. A visit leaves travelers raving about the technology the ancient Romans used to build this architectural wonder that was very advanced for its day.

The underground cistern, just a few steps away from the Blue Mosque, was built on the site of a basilica that was constructed in the third century. Known as the Sunken Palace, the cistern can hold up to 2.8 million cubic feet of water. The cistern is one of the locations used in From Russia with Love, a James Bond thriller filmed in 1963.

6. Dolmabahce Palace

Luxurious, plush and beautiful are just some of the adjectives used to describe the Dolmabahce Palace, which has been compared to the Palace of Versailles. Built in the 19th century using 14 tons of gold leaf, Turkey’s most glamorous palace blends traditional Ottoman architecture with the European styles of Neoclassical, Baroque and Rococo.

Home to six sultans from 1856 to 1924, it also is home to the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria. The Dolmabahce Palace’s setting is stunning: It was built along the Bosphorus coastline.

5. Suleymaniye Mosque

Visitors to the Suleymaniye Mosque say its beauty and peacefulness gives them an inspiring sense of spirituality. Located on the Third Hill of Istanbul, the mosque was ordered built in 1550 by the Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The mosque, indeed, is magnificent, blending the best of Islamic and Byzantine architecture.

The mosque was extensively damaged over the years, including during World War I when a fire broke out while the gardens were used as a weapons depot. It was restored in the mid-20th century. The mosque is marked by four minarets, indicating it was built by a sultan. When it was built, the dome was the highest in the Ottoman Empire.

4. Grand Bazaar

Travelers who love to shop shouldn’t miss out on a visit to the Grand Bazaar, with 5,000 shops making it one of the largest indoor marketplaces in the world. Receiving more than a quarter-million visitors a day, the bazaar features such items as jewelry, carpets that may or may not fly, spices, antiques and hand-painted ceramics.

The bazaar dates back to 1461 and today is home to two mosques, four fountains, two hammams or steam baths, and the Cevahir Bedesten, where the rarest and most valuable items have been found traditionally. Here is where shoppers will find old coins, jewelry with precious gems, inlaid weapons and antique furniture.

3. Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is one of the must-see attractions in Istanbul that combines history and stunning scenery in an experience that is not to be rushed.

For almost four centuries, the opulent Topkapi Palace served as the official residence of the sultans who ruled the Ottoman Empire. It is one of the world’s largest extant palace. Sultan Mehmed II started work on the palace shortly after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and lived here until his death in 1481.

In 1924, the palace became a museum that exhibits an extensive collection of art, porcelain, jewelry, manuscripts and other treasures of the Ottoman Empire. Important artifacts include the jewel-encrusted Topkapi dagger and the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond. The palace is also home to venerated Islamic relics, including the Prophet Mohammed’s sword and cloak. Most of the stunning complex is open to the public.

The Ottoman palace has four primary courtyards and several outbuildings. Known as the Janissaries Court, the first courtyard is where elite palace soldiers stood guard. The square contains a magnificent fountain and the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene, which Emperor Justinian constructed in the 548. The church survived because it was used as a storehouse and imperial armory by the Ottomans.

The second courtyard is a lush green space encompassed by the former imperial harem and the Tower of Justice as well as a hospital and kitchens, which prepared thousands of meals each day. Suleiman the Magnificent constructed the entry gate. The third courtyard contains the treasury and the library of Ahmed III. Entry to the third courtyard was strictly regulated and off-limits to outsiders.

The fourth courtyard served as the sultan’s inner sanctum. Known as the Tulip Garden, the buildings are adorned with mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell inlays and exquisite blue-and-white Iznik tiles. Other architectural highlights include marble staircases and a reflecting pool.

2. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century, remains an active house of worship today. This means visitors need to time their visits carefully, as the mosque is closed to sightseers during the five daily prayer times for Muslims.

All visitors must remove their shoes and women must cover their hair. This is a small price to pay for seeing its priceless treasures that include 20,000 ceramic tiles in various tulip designs and 200 stained glass windows, all with intricate designs. The mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet, takes its name from the blue tiles on the dome and the upper levels of the interior.

1. Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is a masterwork of Roman engineering, with its massive dome (102 feet or 31 meters in diameter) that covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world.

Hagia Sophia is the Greek term for Holy Wisdom and refers to Jesus Christ, the Holy Trinity’s second person. Constructed between 532 and 537, on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the structure was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral until 1453, except for about 60 years in the 1200s when it served as a Roman Catholic cathedral.

In 1453, Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople and converted the edifice into a mosque, removing or plastering over many Christian relics and replacing them with Islamic features. The building closed in 1931, and the Republic of Turkey re-opened it as a museum in 1935.

Visitors can go through the Imperial Gate to the central nave and look up to see the dome’s majestic interior with its mosaic-covered ceiling.

Marble on the walls in the main nave extends to the gallery’s upper reaches, and the inner narthex and side naves have walls entirely covered with marble. The costly marbles of many different colors, selected exclusively for the Hagia Sophia, came from various areas of the empire.

In the Hagia Sophia courtyard is a Fountain of Purification with a Greek inscription in palindrome form that translates, “Wash your sin not only your face.”

Built in 1739, the Hagia Sophia Library contains ancient Turkish tiles, and the engraved, wooden bookshelves hold historical objects as well as books.

Through the years, the church suffered damage from earthquakes, fires and riots, making many repairs and restorations necessary, but it remains a beautiful building that some people call the world’s eighth wonder.

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Reader interactions.

February 25, 2024 at 1:16 am

I have visited Istanbul many times. Turkey is an absolutely unforgettable experience.

March 22, 2021 at 4:54 am

Amazing Country. I wish to come back again to Turkey. Beautiful country that connected Asia and Europe.

June 10, 2019 at 1:25 pm

Everything they said about Turkey is true because I am from İstanbul. Now I live in Brazil since August 1973 but almost every year I go back to visit my family in Istanbul, My promise is to anyone you will have the time of your life and you will want to go back. Just don’t pay what price tag or someone said but always negotiate!.

August 1, 2018 at 1:44 am

I was in Istanbul two weeks ago. Wow! I fell in love with Turkey. I will visit again next year. So fabulous. Istanbul has the most loving, peaceful and down to earth people. Wonderful!

May 13, 2016 at 8:59 am

istanbul is truly magnificent, a perfect confluence of civilizations loved the place. hope to visit again . the food, a.the skyline . just everything is fabulous..

January 23, 2016 at 2:32 pm

As a professional Tour Guide in Istanbul I can say that Istanbul is a city that wears its cultures and history well, blending them into an exciting city that has much to offer travelers from around the world. Today, it is a modern city that remains true to its historic heritage through its palaces, mosques, churches, synagogues, cisterns, towers and ancient bazaars.

October 10, 2014 at 10:34 am

I can’t wait to be in Turkey and I am counting the weeks.

September 2, 2014 at 3:12 am

I Love Turkey; I wish that i could go to Turkey 🙂

May 15, 2014 at 1:08 pm

Love to visit turkey

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22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Istanbul

Written by Jess Lee Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Jess Lee has been a regular Istanbul visitor for twenty years and used to run tours in the city. She lives in Turkey.

Coveted by empires across the centuries, straddling both Europe and Asia, Istanbul is one of the world's great metropolises.

Founded around 1000 BCE, the colony of Byzantium grew into the Byzantine Empire's great capital of Constantinople and after the Ottoman conquest of the city, retained its glorious place as the heart of their empire.

The city (officially renamed Istanbul after the founding of the Turkish Republic) is liberally scattered with glorious remnants of its long and illustrious history, and the tourist attractions here will impress even the most monument-weary visitor.

As well as the big four (the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar), leave enough time to explore the other sights.

Although many of the most popular and best places to visit are located in, or near, the old city district of Sultanahmet, there is a dazzling array of other things to do throughout the farther reaches of the city.

Plan your trip with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Istanbul.

See also: Where to Stay in Istanbul

1. Admire the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque

2. explore topkapı palace (topkapı sarayı), 3. visit the blue mosque (sultan ahmet cami), 4. head underground at the basilica cistern (yerebatan sarnıçı), 5. stroll the hippodrome, 6. check out the collection in istanbul archaeology museum, 7. shop in the grand bazaar (kapalı çarşı), 8. admire the architecture of the süleymaniye mosque, 9. sample turkish produce in the spice bazaar (mısır çarşısı), 10. soak up the splendor of dolmabahçe palace, 11. see the frescoes of the chora church (kariye cami), 12. visit the museum of turkish and islamic arts (türk ve islam eserleri müzesi), 13. view the little aya sofya (küçük aya sofya), 14. admire the tilework of the rüstem paşa mosque, 15. walk the ramparts of yedikule fortress (yedikule hisarı), 16. climb up galata tower, 17. cruise the bosphorus strait, 18. take in the art at istanbul modern, 19. visit the historic fatih mosque, 20. view the pera museum's ottoman-era art, 21. stroll istiklal caddesi and taksim, 22. explore the district of üsküdar, where to stay in istanbul for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to istanbul, map of tourist attractions & things to do in istanbul, istanbul, turkey - climate chart.

Highlights: Ancient architecture, deep religious significance, and glittering mosaics

It's said that when the Byzantine Emperor Justinian entered his finished church for the first time in CE 536, he cried out " Glory to God that I have been judged worthy of such a work. Oh Solomon, I have outdone you! "

The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya in Turkish) was the emperor's swaggering statement to the world of the wealth and technical ability of his empire.

Tradition maintained that the area surrounding the emperor's throne within the church was the official center of the world.

Through its conversion to a mosque, after the Ottoman armies conquered Constantinople, to its further conversion into a museum in the 20th century and its reconversion back into a working mosque in 2020, the Hagia Sophia has remained one of Istanbul's most cherished landmarks.

Address: Aya Sofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet

• Read More: Exploring Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia): A Visitor's Guide

Highlights: Ottoman-era finery, sumptuous tilework, and the Harem complex

First built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century, glorious Topkapı Palace , beside the Bosphorus, was where the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived and ruled from.

The vast complex is a dazzling display of Islamic art, with opulent courtyards lined with intricate hand-painted tilework, linking a warren of sumptuously decorated rooms, all bounded by battlemented walls and towers.

Of the many highlights here, the most popular are the Harem complex (where the sultan's many concubines and children would spend their days); the Second Court , where you can walk through the vast palace kitchens and stand in awe at the dazzling interior of the Imperial Council Chamber; and the Third Court, which contained the sultan's private rooms.

The Third Court also displays an impressive collection of relics of the Prophet Muhammad in the Sacred Safekeeping Room and is home to the Imperial Treasury, where you're greeted with a cache of glittering gold objects and precious gems that will make your eyes water.

To fully see Topkapı Palace, you'll need at least half a day.

Address: Babihümayun Caddesi, Gülhane Park

Highlight: Home to Istanbul's famed domed interior of Ottoman tilework

Sultan Ahmet I's grand architectural gift to his capital was this beautiful mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque today.

Built between 1609 and 1616, the mosque caused a furore throughout the Muslim world when it was finished, as it had six minarets (the same number as the Great Mosque of Mecca). A seventh minaret was eventually gifted to Mecca to stem the dissent.

The mosque gets its nickname from its interior decoration of tens of thousands of Iznik tiles.

The entire spatial and color effect of the interior makes the mosque one of the finest achievements of Ottoman architecture.

A great sightseeing joy of a trip to Istanbul is wandering amid the gardens sandwiched between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia to experience their dueling domes in twin glory.

Come at dusk for extra ambience, as the call to prayer echoes out.

Directly behind the Blue Mosque is the Arasta Bazaar; a great place for a shopping stop as the handicraft shops here sell high-quality souvenirs.

Even if you're not interested in a browse, head here to see the Great Palace Mosaic Museum , which is tucked between the Arasta Bazaar and the mosque.

This small museum displays the 250-square-meter fragment of mosaic pavement that was unearthed in the 1950s here. Excellent information panels explain the mosaic floor's recovery and subsequent rescue.

Highlight: Walking amid this atmospheric, majestic, and columned Byzantine-era space

The Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul's most surprising tourist attractions.

This huge, palace-like underground hall, supported by 336 columns in 12 rows, once stored the imperial water supply for the Byzantine emperors.

The project was begun by Constantine the Great but finished by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century.

Many of the columns used in construction were recycled from earlier classical structures and feature decorative carvings.

The most famous of these are the column bases known as the Medusa stones in the northwest corner with their Medusa head carvings.

A visit here is very atmospheric with the columns beautifully lit and the soft, steady trickle of water all around you.

Address: Yerebatan Caddesi, Sultanahmet

Highlights: Central park area holding relics from ancient Egypt and Greece.

The ancient Hippodrome was begun by Septimius Severus in CE 203 and completed by Constantine the Great in CE 330.

This was the center of Byzantine public life and the scene of splendid games and chariot races but also factional conflicts.

Today, there isn't much of the Hippodrome left to see, except for a small section of the gallery walls on the southern side, but the At Meydanı (park), which now stands on the site is home to a variety of monuments.

On the northwest side is a fountain, presented to the Ottoman sultan by the German Emperor William II in 1898.

Then, heading southwest are three ancient monuments: a 20-meter high Egyptian obelisk (from Heliopolis); the Serpent Column brought here from Delphi by Constantine; and a stone obelisk that originally was clad in gold-covered bronze plating until they were stolen by the soldiers of the 4th Crusade in 1204.

Highlights: Viewing the Sidon necropolis collection, Anatolian sarcophagi, and the Tiled Pavilion

Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Topkapı Palace, and easily visited afterwards, Istanbul Archaeology Museum brings together an array of artifacts from both Turkey and throughout the Middle East, which sweeps through the vast breadth of history of this region.

There are three separate sections in the museum complex, each of which are worthy of a visit.

The Museum of the Ancient Orient displays a collection focused on the Middle East's pre-Islamic art and heritage.

The main Archaeology Museum houses statuary and tombs, including the famed sarcophaguses from Sidon, Lebanon that were unearthed by Ottoman architect Osman Hamdi Bey. Also here, you'll find the Istanbul through the Ages exhibit room, which helps you visualize the city's vast and epic history.

The museum's third building is the Tiled Pavilion, built by Mehmet the Conqueror, which houses a wide range of ceramic art.

Address: Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu Sokak, Gülhane Park

• Read More: Exploring Istanbul's Archaeological Museum: A Visitor's Guide

Highlight: One of the world's great shopping experiences

For many visitors, sightseeing in Istanbul is as much about shopping as museums and monumental attractions, and the Grand Bazaar is where everyone comes.

This massive covered market is basically the world's first shopping mall, taking up a whole city quarter, surrounded by thick walls, between the Nuruosmanıye Mosque and Beyazıt Mosque.

The Beyazıt Mosque (built in 1498-1505) itself occupies the site of Theodosius I's Forum and has architecture inspired by the Hagia Sophia.

Entrance to the bazaar is through one of 11 gates from where a maze of vaulted-ceiling laneways, lined by shops and stalls selling every Turkish souvenir and handicraft you could imagine, cover the area.

The various trades are still mostly segregated into particular sections, which makes browsing easier.

Near the bazaar's Divanyolu Caddesi entrance is the Burned Column. This stump (still 40 meters high) of a porphyry column was set up by Constantine the Great in his forum. Until 1105, it bore a bronze statue of Constantine.

Address: Divanyolu Caddesi

Read More: Istanbul's Grand Bazaar: Things to Buy & Shopping Tips

Highlights: Ottoman mosque architecture at its finest and the tomb of Sultan Süleyman I

Sitting high on the hill above Sultanahmet district, the Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most recognized landmarks of Istanbul.

It was built for Sultan Süleyman I (commonly known as Süleyman the Magnificent; reigned 1520-1566) by the famed Ottoman architect, Sinan, who is responsible for many of the feted Ottoman-era monuments in Turkey including the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne .

The Süleymaniye Mosque's interior, dominated by its soaring 53-meter-high dome is notable for its harmonious proportions and unity of design.

Outside in the tranquil garden area is an interesting Ottoman-era cemetery, which is also home to the türbes (tombs) of the Sultan Süleyman and his wife Haseki Hürrem Sultan (often commonly known outside of Turkey as Roxelana).

Address: Professor Sıdık Sami Onar Caddesi

Highlights: One-stop-shop for Turkish flavors and sampling the country's famed sweet treats

The Spice Bazaar is the place to get your foodie fix of lokum (Turkish delight), dried fruit, nuts, herbs, and, of course, spices.

Much of the money that helped construct it came from the taxes the Ottoman government levied on Egyptian-made products, which is why its name in Turkish (Mısır Çarşısı) means "Egyptian Market."

The Spice Bazaar is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions and at certain times of the day gets ridiculously crowded with huge tour groups from the docked cruise ships.

Try to come before 11am or after 4pm to dodge the crowds.

Just next door to the Spice Bazaar's main entrance is the stately Yeni Cami (New Mosque), which was begun in 1615 and finished in 1663 – that's "new" for Istanbul.

It is worthwhile taking a peek inside while you're sightseeing in the area, as the interior is richly decorated with tilework and liberal use of gold leaf.

Address: Yenicami Meydanı, Eminönü

Highlights: Extravagant palace interiors and manicured formal gardens

The sumptuous and ornate Dolmabahçe Palace shows the clear influence of European decoration and architecture on the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.

Built by Sultan Abdülmecid I in 1854, it replaced Topkapı Palace as the main residence of the sultans.

Dolmabahçe Palace was also used as an official residence during the founding years of the Turkish Republic, and Atatürk (the founder of modern Turkey) died here in 1938.

The formal gardens are punctuated with fountains, ornamental basins, and blooming flower beds.

Inside, the interiors blend Rococo, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Ottoman elements with mammoth crystal chandeliers, liberal use of gold, French-style furnishings, and frescoed ceilings to create a dazzling Turkish Renaissance style of sheer splendor and pomp.

Location: Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Besiktas

Highlight: Home to a famed collection of late-Byzantine-era frescoes and mosaics

Chora means "country" in Greek, and this beautiful Church (originally called the Church of St. Saviour of Chora) lay just outside old Constantinople's city walls.

The first Chora Church was probably built here in the 5th century, but what you see now is the building's 6th reconstruction as it was destroyed completely in the 9th century and went through several facelifts from the 11th to 14th centuries.

The church was turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and became a museum in 1945. In 2020, it reconverted into a working mosque.

The monument is rightly world-famous for its fabulously vibrant 14th-century mosaics, preserved almost intact in the two narthexes and fragmentarily in the nave, and the frescos along the walls and domes.

These incredible examples of Byzantine artistry cover a wide range of themes, from the genealogy of Christ to the New Testament stories.

Location: Kariye Cami Sokak, Edirnekapı

Highlights: World-famous carpet collection; showcase of the wood, ceramic, and stone artistry of the Islamic empires

Housed in the palace of Ibrahim Paşa, who was Grand Vizier for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in Ottoman and Islamic art.

The carpet collection on display here is vast and is heralded by textile experts as the world's best.

This is a prime place to come have a peek at the dazzling array of styles of Turkish carpets (along with carpets from the Caucasus and Iran) across the centuries before setting out on a shopping mission to purchase your own floor piece.

There are also exquisite ceramics, calligraphy, and wood carving exhibits ranging in date from the 9th century CE to the 19th century.

Address: At Meydanı Caddesi, Sultanahmet

Highlight: Serene church-turned-mosque amid Istanbul's historic core

Before Emperor Justinian built the Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofya) , he had to test out if the building would work structurally, so he built this miniature version first.

Its original name was the Church of Sergius and Bacchus, but the obvious architectural parallels with the Aya Sofya led to its long-held nickname becoming the building's official title.

During the Ottoman era, the church was converted into a mosque and it still functions as a working mosque today.

Although its proportions aren't as grandiose as others in Istanbul, the building has been beautifully restored and is well worth a visit.

The walk here, down narrow alleyways lined with tall Ottoman-era buildings – some lavishly restored and others creaking their way into dilapidation – is a tranquil respite from central Sultanahmet.

Take the time to have a glass of tea in the Little Aya Sofya's peaceful garden to sustain you for further sightseeing exploits.

Address: Küçük Aya Sofya Caddesi , Sultanahmet

Highlight: An interior of glorious and immaculately preserved ceramic tilework displays

Possibly the most perfectly pretty mosque in Istanbul, the Rüstem Paşa Mosque is home to the most stunningly preserved Iznik tile panels in the city.

Sure the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) may get all the glory, but it's here – covering both the exterior courtyard walls and the mosque interior itself – that you'll find the best examples of these gorgeously intricate hand-painted tiles in blues, reds, and greens.

Even better, as it's less known, you're likely to be able to admire them up close without having to battle any crowds.

Finding the mosque adds to the fun as it's squirreled down a skinny lane lined with market stalls and always bustling with life, near the Spice Bazaar.

Address: Hasırcılar Caddesi, Eminönü

Highlight: Take in the sea views while strolling this preserved section of the city's Byzantine walls

Although it's a bit of a schlep on the suburban train to get out to Yedikule (Castle of the Seven Towers), this commanding fortress is well worth it.

Built in the 5th century by the Emperor Theodosius II, the fortress made up the southern section of Constantinople's defensive walls.

The mammoth arch (blocked up in the late Byzantine period) was known as Porta Aurea (Golden Gate), with doors plated in gold.

When the Ottomans conquered the city, they used the fortress for defense, and later as a prison and execution place.

Yedikule has been restored in recent years, and you can climb up to the top of the battlements for superb views across the Sea of Marmara.

Address: Yedikule Sokak, Yedikule

Highlights: Views of this landmark building from the surrounding narrow alleys, and vistas of the historic city center from the top

The Galata Tower , overlooking the Golden Horn, was built by the Genoese in the 14th century. Today it remains one of Istanbul's most recognizable landmarks.

Standing 52 meters tall, the tower was Istanbul's tallest building for centuries. The tower has been restored several times over the years due to being damaged by fire and storms.

Today the observation deck at the top story, and its restaurant, is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul for taking in the iconic skyline views of the central old city.

Be aware, though, that it's a super popular sight, so come early or be prepared to queue.

Address: Bereketzade, Beyoğlu

Highlights: Easygoing sightseeing and panoramic city views on one of the world's great straits

For many visitors, a trip to Istanbul isn't complete without hopping aboard a Bosphorus excursion ferry and cruising the city's famed waterway, which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

Istanbul's most iconic views are all from the water, and the Bosphorus excursion ferries are all about sitting back, relaxing, and taking in the scenery.

The most famous ferry tour is the Long Bosphorus Tour, which heads from Eminönü ferry dock daily, all the way up the strait to the village and fortress at Anadolu Kavağı, near the northern mouth of the strait into the Black Sea.

Along the ferry cruise there are shoreside vistas of defensive fortresses, Ottoman-era palaces and mansions, and the Bosphorus' bridges.

The Long Bosphorus Tour takes two hours one-way, stops in Anadolu Kavağı for three hours, and then returns, so you need to set aside a full day of your itinerary if you want to do it.

There is also a Short Bosphorus Tour option that operates daily two-hour afternoon sailings from spring to fall. This return ferry cruise heads up the Bosphorus as far as Rumeli fortress before turning around.

Highlights: Leading center for Turkish contemporary art plus trail-blazing temporary exhibitions

Proving that Istanbul isn't just about historic sightseeing, this thoroughly up-to-the-minute art gallery holds an extensive collection of Turkish modern art with an ever-changing calendar of exhibitions, hosting both local and international artists throughout the year.

This is by far the best place in town to get your finger on the pulse of Turkey's contemporary art scene.

As well as the galleries, the Istanbul Modern has a cinema that hosts a program of film viewings and a library.

The galleries are being temporarily hosted in a historic Beyoğlu building while they wait for the completion of this art museum's new permanent home in Karaköy.

Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi, No:99, Beyoğlu

Highlights: Historic Ottoman-era mosque and site of Sultan Mehmet II's Tomb

The district of Fatih is home to this important mosque, which sits on the hilltop site of the first mosque built in the city by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, who finally broke through Constantinople's walls, ending the Byzantine era.

The original 15th-century mosque was badly damaged by an earthquake and so was replaced with this grand and imposing building, replete with multiple domes and minarets, in the 18th century.

Being the site of the first of Istanbul's grand imperial mosques to be built, as well as being home to Sultan Mehmet's tomb, it's an important historic building and a popular pilgrimage site.

Location: Fevzi Pasa Caddesi, Fatih

Highlights: Acclaimed collection of Orientalist art and world-class temporary art exhibitions

Istanbul's most famous art gallery is the lovely Pera Museum , which is where art-hounds head to view one of the finest collections of Ottoman-era art in the world.

In particular, the museum contains the well-known paintings of Ottoman artist Osman Hamdi Bey. While the collection also features many other artists who focused their work on the Ottoman world, both local and foreign.

As well as the Ottoman art, the Pera holds a renowned collection of Ottoman-era tile and ceramic work and a vast collection of artifacts from the Ottoman period, as well as pieces from earlier eras.

There's also a program of regularly changing exhibitions, which focus on both historic and contemporary art and often feature some of the international art world's biggest names.

Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Tepebası

Highlights: Cafe-hopping, a historic tram ride, 19th-century façades, and a dining hub

Pedestrianized Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Street) is a bustling modern shopping street with a wealth of restaurants and cafés.

The lower end of the street can be reached by taking the world's oldest underground railway (the Tünel, constructed in 1875) from near Galata Bridge. There is also a quaintly old-fashioned tramway that runs along its length right up to Taksim Square at the top of the hill.

From Taksim Square, busy Cumhuriyet Caddesi is lined with hotels, shops, restaurants, and high rises. On the east side of the road, just after the square, is Maçka Park, which is home to the interesting Military Museum.

The area around Istiklal Caddesi is home to many churches and old consulate buildings with ornate facades.

Also nearby is Orhan Pamuk's Museum of Innocence . Pamuk is Turkey's most famous author and the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. This conceptual-art museum is based around the theme of his novel The Museum of Innocence and is a rather bizarre, kooky, and wonderfully atmospheric experience.

Address: Istiklal Caddesi

Highlights : Hillside strolls with city views and historic lesser-seen Ottoman mosques

Istanbul's Asian shore is easily reached by ferry from Eminönü dock across the Bosphorus.

On an islet just off the Asiatic shore stands the 30-meter-high Kızkulesi (Maiden's Tower).

Üsküdar was traditionally known as Scutari and has some handsome old mosques, winding lanes, and weathered brown timber houses (particularly between the ferry dock and the large cemetery).

The town, known in antiquity as Chrysopolis, was one of the earliest Greek settlements on the Bosporus.

It was much more exposed to attack by foreign conquerors than Constantinople, with its defensive situation and strong walls, but it was able to draw economic advantage from its exposed situation – until 1800 it was the terminus of the caravan routes that brought the treasures of the East to Constantinople and onwards to Europe.

Of particular sightseeing interest here is the Atik Valide Mosque, which was designed by the famed Ottoman architect Sinan; and the Çinili Mosque, which contains some beautiful Iznik tilework.

If you're planning to see Istanbul's top tourist attractions, the easiest place to base yourself is Sultanahmet (Istanbul's old city district), which is a short stroll from all the city's major historical attractions. The Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofya) are all within a five-minute walk, and many hotels in the area have stellar views of these buildings, as well as out to the Bosphorus from their rooftop terraces. A tram line runs through Sultanahmet, and public transport is plentiful, connecting the district with other tourist attractions farther afield.

Another popular place to stay is across the Galata Bridge in the Beyoğlu and Taksim districts. These are both lively entertainment areas in the center of modern Istanbul. Below are some highly rated hotels in convenient locations for sightseeing:

Luxury Hotels:

• In a century-old Neoclassical Turkish building, the sunny-hued Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is a mere five-minute stroll from the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Hagia Sophia.
• Decorated in Ottoman style, the boutique White House Hotel Istanbul also lies minutes from these major historical attractions.
• For those who prefer to stay near all the entertainment action in Taksim, the Grand Hyatt Istanbul is a great choice only a few minutes' walk from Taksim Square.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The elegant Orient Express & Spa by Orka Hotels is an excellent mid-range option within walking distance of the Sultanahmet historical attractions and Sirkeci train station.
• Also in a prime Sultanahmet location is the Osmanhan Hotel , with beautiful views of the Bosphorus.
• In the heart of Taksim, the Artisan Istanbul MGallery offers contemporary comfort close to Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, one of the city's most famous walking streets, lined with cafes, boutiques, and bookstores.

Budget Hotels:

• If you're traveling on a budget, the boutique Sultans Royal Hotel offers great value for money in the heart of Sultanahmet and is known for its friendly, helpful staff.
• The Walnut Shell Hotel is also within walking distance of all the major monuments that make it a prime Istanbul base, and has rooms brimming with color and character.
• Explore the Main Sights: If you have only a day or two set aside for sightseeing, take the Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour . This walking tour will ensure you see the most important attractions, including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, as well as others. This is a small group tour, limited to 14 people, and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a traditional lunch, and admission to the sites.
• Private Tours: With more time up your sleeve to see the city, and the option to fully customize what to do and what to see, the private Best of Istanbul Tour offers one-, two-, or three-day Istanbul itineraries with a tour guide.
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours: The Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off BusForUs Tour uses a traditional double-decker bus, which stops at the major sites and allows you to tour the city at your own pace. It's also a great way to get familiar with the general layout of the city. Tickets are valid for one day.

The best time to visit Istanbul is, in general, from late spring to early fall — the months of May, June, July, August, and September.

July and August are peak tourism season and bring the hottest weather with long summer days heralding plenty of blue skies and sunshine — great for fitting in plenty of sightseeing. Average temperatures in the city during this period vary between 20 and 29 degrees Celsius. T-shirt weather carries into the evenings for these months, meaning you can slim down your packing requirements.

If you're planning to travel in May, June, or September instead (which are still considered high season in Istanbul), daytime temperatures are usually thoroughly pleasant. For some visitors, its slightly milder temperatures are preferable to July and August for sightseeing, but you will need to pack a warmer layer to throw on after the sun sets. And, remember to bring along an umbrella, as May and September in particular can bring up to eight or nine rainy days per month.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

The Coast and More Historic Cities: After an Istanbul sojourn, why not hit Turkey's famed coastline, lapped by the waves of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Check out our articles on Bergama and the North Aegean , Fethiye , Antalya, and Kas for inspiration. Turkey has plenty of other historic cities to discover. Konya and Sanliurfa are two of the best and are city guides to these destinations can help you plan your time.

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Istanbul top tourist attractions city travel maps

Detailed street names english travel guide showing must-see places & best destinations to visit in europe & asia - istanbul top tourist attractions map.

Maps of best attractions in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul maps will guide you to the best destinations in this magical city. Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Straits, making it the only city in the world on two continents. The modern district of Taksim and the historic peninsula of the Old City occupy the European side of the Bosphorus, separated by the picturesque Golden Horn estuary and connected by a number of bridges and ferries. The major sightseeing draw is over in the south in the Old City (aka the Historic Peninsula or Old Istanbul region). With the help of our maps you will be able to make the most of your trip. You can find the detailed locations of the must-see sights including Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia), Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), Grand Bazaar (also know as Covered Bazaar or Kapalicarsi), Underground Basilica Cistern, Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam public bath, Cemberlitas Turkish Bath, Spice Market, Bosphorus ferry, Suleymaniye Mosque, Galata Bridge & Tower, Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Chora (Kariye) Church, Cevahir Shopping Center Mall, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerleyi Palace, Prince's Islands, Maiden Tower, Taksim Gezi Park, Golden Horn Halic, port, nightlife night clubs, traditional restaurants, areas of Bebek, Cihandir, Karakoy, Ortakoy, Pera - just click on a selected map to access a high resolution version that can be downloaded and printed; or saved onto your mobile device.

Free inner city centre map with main landmarks, most popular sights, great art spot, mosques - Istanbul iconic tourist attractions map

You can view, download or print a full, high resolution (detailed, large) version of this image by clicking on the plan itself

Metro (subway, tube), railway train stations & trams - Istanbul Metrosu Ulasim LRT Lirgt Rapid Transit network system showing ferry & Ataturk Airport Terminal - Istanbul jpg map

Big Bus city sightseeing hop-on hop-off double decker open top coach tour stops near Bosphorus, Taksim Sqaure, Fatih - Map of Istanbul tourist attractions

One day itinerary to explore major points of interest & central sites worth visiting including Spice Market, Topkapi Palace - Istanbul free city map

Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) shops overview showing covered roads shopping for jewelry, leather - Istanbul printable sightseeing map

Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia) museum, church & mosque monuments - Visitor guide - Floor plan simple outline diagram - Istanbul large scale map

Old town & Downtown area list of must-do hotspots including Blue Mosque, Undeground Cistern & official tourist information office - Istanbul offline map

Bird's eye aerial 3d virtual interactive view poster of favourite historical locations & famous buildings - Istanbul pop up map

Three-day trip list of attractions - What to see, where to go, what to do in neighbourhood Districts of Beyoglu, Besiktas, Eminonu, Harbiye - Istanbul online map

Historic penisula showing Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Suleymaniye, Galata Bridge, Archaeology Museum, Hippodrome - Istanbul simple map

Underground walking tour trail directions route planner with fun things to do with family & kids - Istanbul tourist guide map

Map of top 10 attractions in Istanbul

The typical top ten attractions are listed below. You can find the detailed locations of these places on the maps above.

• Visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) - This landmark mosque assumes a stance of authority over Sultanahmet Park. Just under the dome, hundreds of stained-glass windows sparkle like jewels until you are convinced that you're in the presence of a celestial being. The blue of the mosque actually changes to yellow, orange, and red, depending on the time of day and the entrance you choose to use.
• Visit Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) - When faced with the dome of this masterpiece, it's tempting to mimic the actions of Mehmet the Conqueror almost 600 years ago and drop to your knees in a gesture of utter humility. The sensation is intensified by the low level of filtered light that finds its way in, temporarily blinding you to everything except the source of illumination.
• Take a hamam - The Turkish bath, rising out of the Islamic requirement of cleanliness, is not just practical; it's relaxing as well. A good hamam experience includes the proper traditional ambience and a heavy-handed scrubbing. For historical value and pomp, you can't beat the Cemberlitas Hamami and the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam, or for luxury, one of the many deluxe hotel accommodation hamams.
• Discover the Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar or Kapalicarsi) - Nobody should pass through Turkey without spending a day at the mother of all shopping malls. The atmosphere crackles with the electricity of the hunt - but are you the hunter or the hunted? The excitement is tangible, even if you're on the trail of a simple pair of elf shoes or an evil-eye talisman. When the salesman turns away from you in disgust, you've learned the bottom price for an item.
• Taki a boat ferry cruise ride up the Bosphorus - Nowhere else in the world can you cross to another continent every 15 minutes. Connecting trade routes from the East to the West, it's no surprise that any conqueror who was anybody had his sights set on the Bosphorus.
• Visit the Topkapi Palace - This was once somebody's house. Actually, it was the home of a whole lot of people - up to 5,000 at a time, all in the service of one man. The sultan surrounded himself with the most beautiful women in the world. He collected the most precious treasures of the East. He assembled the most sacred relics of the Muslim faith under this roof. Six hundred years of Ottoman history lies behind these grand ornamental gates.
• Take a journey back in time in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum - This is one of those must-see museums that all too many overlook. It's actually the largest museum in the country, chronicling in stone both the lives of Byzantium's emperors and of Istanbul.
• Cross the Galata Bridge on foot - Fishermen line the railings above, while dinner (or tea, or backgammon) is served below as the majestic and inspiring silhouettes of the Suleymaniye Mosque, Rustem Pasa, and Yeni Camii loom in the distance. If you wait until after sunset, you get to see the seagulls circling the minarets.
• Stroll through the subterranean Basilica Cistern water reservoir - Your visit to the dimly lit, cavernous chamber includes two stone Medusa heads recycled from earlier Roman structures. The cistern also hosts occasional concerts of traditional Turkish and classical Western music.
• Visit the Suleymaniye Mosque - The architect Sinan's 14th-century masterpiece, known for its serene interior and the tombs of Süleyman and his wife Roxelana.

What are some interesting facts about Istanbul?

Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents but still worth mentioning. The historic centre lies on the European side of the city. The Bosphorus Strait divides the European and Asian sides and is the link between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.

Istanbul, which used to be known as Constantinople thanks to the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, is built on seven hills to match the seven hills of Rome.

Under the Ottoman Empire, the city was renowned for having more than 1,400 public toilets.

The Grand Bazaar is the biggest old covered bazaar in the world, with over 3,000 shops.

British author Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel 'Murder on the Orient Express' at Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul.

Istanbul has been the capital of some of the biggest empires: Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman. It is now Turkey's largest city with over 13 million people – more than the population of Belgium – and the second largest in the world by population within city limits. However, it's not Turkey's capital. Ankara has been the capital since Turkey was proclaimed a republic by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923.

The Blue Mosque is the only mosque in the city with six minarets. Legend has it that when it was built, it had one minaret more than the Grand Mosque in Mecca (four was the common maximum at that time) and this was considered disrespectful in the Muslim world. In order to solve the issue, one more minaret had to be added to the Grand Mosque.

Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the world for about 900 years until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. It was also one of the 20 finalists for the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The four bronze horses decorating the San Marco Cathedral in Venice were taken from Istanbul (Constantinople at that time) by the crusaders in the 13th century.

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Istanbul Printable Tourist Map

Istanbul Map: The Attractions

Hagia Sophia

The Blue Mosque

Grand Bazaar

Topkapı Palace

Galata Tower

Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar

Galata Bridge

Süleymaniye Mosque

Basilica Cistern

Istiklal Street

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22 Must See Places in Istanbul – Turkey

Istanbul is one of my favorite cities in the world. People who have been there always seem to understand that when I declare it. It is only those who have not been there yet who wonder why Istanbul. It is s city with a rich and enduring history that goes back to Roman times, overlaid with a Muslim, Turkish history which goes back to 1453. It feels like a European city, which it is, but at times can also feel like a Middle Eastern city. It has one foot in Europe and one in Asia and is a great gateway city to the Muslim world.

In this post, I will talk about some of my favorite sites to see in Istanbul. Also check out 3 Days in Istanbul, Turkey for an itinerary.

Hagia Sophia

• Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)

Topkapi Palace

Basilica cistern.

• Obelisk of Thutmose III (Hippodrome)
• Grand Bazaar

Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar)

Theodosian walls, yedikule (fortress of the seven towers), saint savior in chora.

• Süleymaniye Mosque

Galata Tower

• İstiklal Caddesi (İstiklal Avenue)
• Taksim Square

Dolmabahçe Palace

Ortaköy and the bosphorus bridge, bosphorus cruise, rumelihisarı and anadoluhisarı, free things to do in istanbul, istanbul attractions map, accommodations, istanbul e-pass, istanbul sites.

One of the most enduring buildings in Istanbul is Hagia Sophia. This church was built by the order of the Roman Emperor Justinian I. It was the world’s largest building from its completion in 537 until the completion of the cathedral in Seville Spain in 1520, almost 1,000 years.

Whether you take a one day tour or are visiting on your own Hagia Sophia is one of the important sites. But, the site changed in 2020. It had been made into a museum during the time of Attaturk but has been converted back into an active mosque. How this will affect visiting is not yet clear. You can skip the line by pre-purchasing a VIP pass , the Istanbul Welcome Card , or a combo ticket that includes Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern. 

It was built as a Christian cathedral but then served as a mosque after the Turkish conquest in 1453. At the time the Christian elements of the church were covered up and only exposed again when it became a museum in modern Turkey.

What’s the point of being emperor if you can’t include a picture of you and your queen along with your good friend Mary the mother of Jesus.

Hagia Sophia influenced the design of churches in the region and later also influenced the design of mosques like the famous Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) just opposite from Hagia Sophia.

The nickname Blue Mosque comes from some of the tiles in the interior of the mosque (which is really not particularly blue).

Visiting a mosque: Non-muslims are welcome to visit mosques like the Sultan Ahmet Mosque but should not enter during prayer times or worship times mid-day on Friday. Dress appropriately. Don’t wear short or revealing clothing. Women should cover their heads. Carry a simple scarf so that you are ready to peek into an interesting mosque you may see. Remember that you are visiting a house of worship and act accordingly. This is not the place to do flash photography or a shout out to your friends on Live Chat.

After the conquest of Istanbul by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453, he built himself a palace in the oriental design of the Turks. This remained the palace of the Ottoman Empire until it was replaced in 1843 by Dolmabahçe palace. The palace is part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul UNESCO site as is Hagia Sophia.

Don’t expect a lot of furniture in the palace as this palace is a much more oriental design where people sat on pillows or cushions in large relatively sparse rooms. It is a reminder that while you are standing in Europe today, the Turks came originally from much further east and were more influenced at the time of its construction by the east than the west.

A museum in the palace holds the national treasures of Turkey. These treasures include jewel-encrusted swords, manuscripts, but also significant religious relics like the turban of Joseph, the staff of Moses, a tooth from Mohammed, and the swords of the first four Caliphs. The lines can get long. You can skip the line by pre-purchasing a VIP pass , the Istanbul Welcome Card , or a combo ticket that includes Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern. 

To get some sense of the layering of history in Istanbul, visit the Basilica Cistern. This underground reservoir was built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. After the conquest by the Turks, it was forgotten for 100 years until someone started to wonder how local residents were able to fish through holes in their basements. Apparently, there are hundreds of ancient cisterns below the city streets of Istanbul. You can skip the line by buying admission in advance. 

Look for the two different columns that have the head of the mythical Medusa at their base.

One reminder that Istanbul was once a Roman city is the Egyptian Obelisk of Thutmose III. This obelisk dates back to the 1400s BC. but was brought to Constantinople by the Roman Emperor Constantius II in 357 A.D. to celebrate being on the throne for 20 years. It was later moved to this site which was the site of the old Roman Hippodrome or horse racing course. Look at the shape of the long narrow square you are in and see if you can picture charioteers like in the movie Ben Hur.

Right next to the obelisk is the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.

If you are looking to do some shopping, especially for a Turkish carpet then you should make a stop at the expansive Grand Bazaar. This is an indoor shopping area that has plenty that tourists might buy. The shop keepers speak an astonishing array of languages.

As a photographer, I love the Spice Bazaar for its displays of fragrant spices. A small bag of spices to cook something Turkish can make a great souvenir, especially if you take the time to take a cooking class while you are in Istanbul.

The name of the bazaar literally translates to the Egyptian Bazaar.

For over a thousand years the impressive Walls of Constantinople kept out all invaders (well, there was that one regrettable incident in the 4th crusade that no one wants to talk about). They kept out enemies like the Ostrogoths and Atilla the Hun. You can still walk these walls and see what made them so impressive. They are far enough away from the normal tourist areas that you will need to grab a bus or an Uber to get to them. If you managed to breach the outer wall you had the unpleasant surprise of finding yourself trapped between it and an inner wall. It was not until Mehmed the Conqueror brought his canons to besiege it that they fell.

Anchoring the Walls of Constantinople at the southern point is the Fortress of the Seven Towers. This is a great place to get up on the walls and explore.

From the walls look south and you can see something like 100 ships bringing goods through the Bosphorus.

On the way to the Theodisian Walls stop at one of my favorite under-visited spots in Istanbul: Saint Savior In Chora Church. It is a small church unlike the towering Hagia Sophia but Saint Savior In Chora has some of the best-preserved Byzantine mosaics and murals. Both churches had the murals plastered over when they were converted to mosques after the conquest of the Turks in the 1400s, and both also had them uncovered when they were converted into museums in the 1900s.

Watch Travel to Istanbul – St Saviour in Chora – Amateur Traveler Video Episode 14 to see what this site looks like today.

The Süleymaniye Mosque was built by Suleiman the Magnificent. Suleiman was a sultan at the highpoint of Ottoman rule. His armies conquered Hungary, Rhodes, Belgrade, and threaten all of Western Europe before they were defeated at the walls of Vienna. A bit of trivia for you, the croissant was invented in Vienna to commemorate the victory over the Ottoman Turks, hence its crescent shape.

You may have heard that London has the oldest subway in the world, but did you know that Istanbul has the second oldest? The Tünel is quite different from the Underground as it is an underground funicular that is made to climb the hill of the neighborhood of Beyo?lu towards the Galata Tower.

The very un-Turkish looking tower that this the most notable landmark in the neighborhood of Beyo?lu is the Galata Tower. It was built by the Genoese in 1348 when the city had expanded to the northern shore of the body of water known as the Golden Horn.

• İstiklal Caddesi (İstiklalAvenue)

İstiklalCaddesi (İstiklalAvenue) is a pedestrian shopping street that runs from Galata Tower towards Taksim Square. This is where you will rub shoulders with the real day to day life of Istanbul as it is as popular with locals as it is with tourists

Stop at the Galata Mevlevi Museum to see the famous Whirling Dervish Dance show . The Whirling Dervishes are a Sufi order of Islam. It was founded by a 13th-century Persian poet and is known for its exuberant dance.

If you are an art lover the Istanbul Modern Art Museum is very near to the avenue.

The Flower Passage ( Cicek Pasaji) is a colorful flower market that has been converted into a popular traditional restaurant.

When you get to Taksim Square you are in an area of shops, restaurants, and hotels that is the heart of modern Istanbul. The monument in the center of the square is dedicated to the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Taksim square is also a major transit hub.

The Dolmabahçe Palace is an ornate palace built in the European style towards the end of Ottoman rule. While Topkapi Palace may seem sparsely decorated the same cannot be said for Dolmabahçe. The decorator was not going for subtle.

Dolmabahçe Palace is colorful, lavash, and cost about 25% of the annual revenue. The Ottoman empire was not in great financial shape at the time of its construction. This didn’t help.

One of the photos most used by the Turkish tourism board to promote the country is the picture of this small mosque at the base of the Bosphorus Bridge in a small square filled with pigeons. This picturesque spot is Ortaköy. If it does not look familiar now, you will be surprised by how many times you see this picture in the future.

Istanbul is defined by the water that surrounds it. It is hard to say you have been to Istanbul if you have not gotten out into a boat. This might just be a ferry from the European side of the city to the Asian side, but I also highly recommend a cruise up the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea.

North of the city you can see the two fortresses built on either side of the Bosphorus Rumelihisarı (on the European side built by Mehmed the Conqueror) and Anadoluhisarı (on the Asia side built by his father Murad II). These fortresses were built in preparation for the siege of Istanbul. They were later used to control trade on the Bosphorus, coming in and out of the Black Sea.

Anadoluhisarı translates to “Anatolian Fortress” and Rumelihisarı translates to “Throat-Cutter Castle”. 

While you can tour them if you just want to get a photo of them I highly recommend a cruise on a site-seeing boat on the Bosphorus. You can catch one from Ortaköy.

From this list, all outdoor sites, bazaars, and mosques are free… unless you buy a carpet at the Grand Bazaar.

• Ortaköy Mosque
• Spice Bazaar

I recommend staying in the Sultanahmet neighborhood if you are looking for a quiet place in the history part of the city. If you are looking for nightlife stay closer to the Taksim square area.

Istanbul E-pass is the city sightseeing pass that covers over 60 Top Istanbul Attractions all in 1 digital pass. It has 2, 3, 5, and 7 days options. There is no physical card, you get a digital pass with the confirmation after purchase instantly. There are 3 types of attractions;

Guided Tours : We offer museums and historical buildings with guided tours. The only thing for a guest is to meet with a guide at the meeting point at meeting time. Walk-in Attractions : Simply show the pass to the counter and get in. Reservation Required : Some attractions include pick-up or a seat that needs to be reserved. The E-pass panel allows guests to make a reservation in seconds.

Istanbul E-pass Attractions

• Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace w Harem, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Spice Bazaar, Istiklal Street, Rustempasha Mosque, Hippodrome Guided Tours
• Topkapi Palace w Harem, Galata Tower, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Rumeli Fortress, Mosaic Museums, Archeology Museum, Hagia Irene entry
• Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner & Turkish Show
• Whirling Dervishes Performance
• Bursa & Mount Uludag, Sapanca Lake & Masukiye, Sile & Agva Day Trip Tours
• Madame Tussauds Istanbul, Sealife Aquarium Istanbul, Istanbul Aquarium, Museum of Illusions Istiklal, Museum of Illusions Anatolia (Emaar Square) Entrance
• Legoland Discovery Centre Istanbul, Saphire Observation Deck, Skyride 4D Simulation, Safari Park, Dungeon Park Entrance
• Bosphorus Cruise (1,5 Short time cruise), Hop on Hop Off Bosphorus Cruise
• Princes Island Roundtrip Ferry
• Airport Transfer (Shuttle), Private Airport Transfer (Discounted)

Istanbul has much to offer as a modern city but if you love history then a visit to this city is a must.  Who knows you may even think about living in Istanbul .

For what to see if you only have 3 days, check out 3 Days in Istanbul, Turkey

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by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

6 Responses to “22 Must See Places in Istanbul – Turkey”

I do agree with you Istanbul has a very rich history and widely popular for Islamic culture

I enjoyed reading your guide about Istambul. So much history is unvailed and there are very beautiful pictures. I did not know that croissant, my favorite in the morning, was a symbol of victory over the Ottoman Turks. Thank you for sharing!

You are most welcome Natalia!

Hello Chris . . thanks for your succinct descriptions of the main attractions in Istanbul with dates and brief historical notes. Been there but the information didn’t stick in my mind.

Glad to help

jack ryanwills

Turkey is in the midst of the oriental and occidental worlds. And it’s covered by the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Turkey is a delightful country, with deep history and amazing culture. (We are planning to visit Istanbul very soon)-Looking forward to visiting Turkey.

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In Istanbul you can visit: • museums: Kariye Museum (The Chora Church) • religious buildings: Hagia Sophia Church, Suleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern • neighborhoods: Samatya, Fener, Balat, Galata, Çukurcuma, Galatasaray, Tünel, Sultanahmet, Tahtakale • different attractions: Grand Bazar, Topkapi Palace, Galatasaray Square, Kadiköy Market, Ulus Market

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This magical meeting place straddling two continents has more top-notch attractions than it has minarets (and that's a lot).

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Sultanahmet

Right in the heart of İstanbul’s historic center, this sacred Byzantine building remains an important symbol of power.

Topkapı Palace

Topkapı is the subject of more colourful stories than most of the world's museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful…

Kariye Mosque

İstanbul has more than its fair share of Byzantine monuments, but few are as drop-dead gorgeous as this mosaic- and fresco-laden church. Nestled in the…

Süleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye crowns one of İstanbul's seven hills and dominates the Golden Horn, providing a landmark for the entire city. Though it's not the largest…

Basilica Cistern

This subterranean structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, it was…

Blue Mosque

İstanbul's most photogenic building was the grand project of Sultan Ahmet I (r 1603–17), whose tomb is located on the north side of the site facing…

Grand Bazaar

The colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar is the heart of İstanbul's Old City and has been so for centuries. Starting as a small vaulted bedesten (warehouse)…

Pera Museum

There's plenty to see at this impressive museum, but its major draw is undoubtedly the 2nd-floor exhibition of paintings featuring Turkish Orientalist…

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Pierre Loti Café

Many visitors head to this hilltop cafe after visiting the Eyüp Sultan Mosque. Named for the famous French novelist who is said to have come here for…

İstanbul Modern

This lavishly funded and innovative museum has an extensive collection of Turkish art and also stages a constantly changing and uniformly excellent…

SALT Beyoğlu

With a brief to explore critical and timely issues in visual and material culture, the İstiklal branch of the SALT cultural centre is one of the city's…

Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı

It took seven years to develop a conservation plan for this 1580 Mimar Sinan–designed building and complete the meticulous restoration. Fortunately, the…

Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı

This meticulously restored twin hamam dating to 1556 offers the most luxurious traditional bath experience in the Old City. Designed by Mimar Sinan, it…

Dolmabahçe Palace

The Bosphorus Suburbs

These days it’s fashionable for architects and critics influenced by the less-is-more aesthetic of Bauhaus masters to sneer at buildings such as…

Beşiktaş Çarşı

The beating heart of Beşiktaş, this bustling backstreet area packed with shops, restaurants, bars, cafes – and the neighbourhood’s youthful crowd – is…

Barış Manço House

One of the pioneering musicians who mixed rock sounds with traditional Turkish folk music to establish the Anatolian rock genre in the 1960s and 1970s,…

İstiklal Caddesi

Once called the Grand Rue de Pera but renamed İstiklal (Independence) in the early years of the Republic, Beyoğlu's premier boulevard is a perfect…

Kadıköy Produce Market

An aromatic, colourful and alluring showcase of the best fresh produce in the city, the Kadıköy Pazarı is foodie central for locals and is becoming an…

Meshur Dondurmacı Ali Usta

Weekend and summer-night saunters down Moda Caddesi wouldn't be the same without a cone of the dondurma (ice cream) produced by the five brothers who…

Yapı Kredi Kültür Sanat

Towering over Galatasaray Sq, this sleek cultural centre affiliated with a major Turkish bank stages art exhibitions, hosts classical-music concerts, and…

Spice Bazaar

Vividly coloured spices are displayed alongside jewel-like lokum (Turkish delight) at this Ottoman-era marketplace, providing eye candy for the thousands…

The 25 best things to do in Istanbul that don't cost a thing

Hünkâr Kasrı

Built over a grand archway attached to the New Mosque, this small kasrı (pavilion) or mahfili (loge) dates from the same period and functioned as a…

Aqueduct of Valens

Rising majestically over the traffic on busy Atatürk Bulvarı, this limestone aqueduct is one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Commissioned by…

Nişantaşi, Bomonti & Harbiye

On a sunny weekend afternoon, you’ll find this slender green oasis in central İstanbul full of picnicking families, canoodling couples and slackline…

The Byzantine emperors loved nothing more than an afternoon at the chariot races, and this rectangular arena alongside Sultanahmet Park was their venue of…

Turkish Hamam Culture Museum

Constructed by order of the mother of Selim I and one of the wives of Beyazıt II, this now-decommissioned early-16th-century hamam is one of the largest…

SALT Galata

The descriptor 'cultural centre' is used a lot in İstanbul, but is often a misnomer. Here at SALT Galata it really does apply. Housed in a magnificent…

İstanbul Arastırmaları Enstitüsü

Associated with the nearby Pera Museum, this institution incorporates a publicly accessible research library focusing on the cultural and social history…

Beyazıt State Library

Occupying the former imaret (soup kitchen) and kervansaray (caravanserai) of the Beyazıt Mosque's külliye, this library has recently been the subject of a…

The only remaining built section of the Hippodrome hints at how monumental the arena was. The level of galleries that once topped this section was damaged…

Gülhane Park

Gülhane Park was once part of the grounds of Topkapı Palace, accessible only to the royal court. These days crowds of locals come here to picnic under the…

Feriköy Organic Market

Established in 2006 as Turkey’s first ‘100% ecological bazaar’, this bustling Saturday market is still going strong, with hundreds of colourful stalls…

Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars

Known as the 'Iron Church', this distinctive Gothic Revival–style building on the Golden Horn has an extremely beautiful interior, with its gilded iron…

Koç University Research Centre for Anatolian Civilizations

With a wealth of scholarly knowledge and archival photos to draw on, the exhibitions regularly staged on the ground floor of this university-affiliated…

Occupying a former tobacco warehouse, this alternative space is operated by Anadolu Kültür (www.anadolukultur.org), a not-for-profit organisation that…

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

This important complex marks the supposed burial place of Ebu Eyüp el-Ensari, a friend of the Prophet who fell in battle outside the walls of…

Rüstem Paşa Mosque

Nestled in the middle of the busy Tahtakale shopping district, this diminutive mosque is a gem. Dating from 1560, it was designed by Sinan for Rüstem Paşa…

Aşiyan Museum

It’s quite a hike up to this small house-museum, named after the Turkish word for ‘bird’s nest’, but the stunning Bosphorus views may well inspire you to…

Women's Bazaar

Though it's a wonderful spot to observe local life, the vibrant Women's Bazaar isn't for the faint-hearted. Freshly slaughtered sheep carcasses swing in…

Akbank Art Centre

Turkey's big banks and philanthropic trusts vie to be seen as the greatest sponsor of the arts. İstiklal is a showcase for their generosity, and with this…

Yıldız Park

This large and leafy retreat is alive with birds, picnicking families and young couples strolling hand in hand. The best time to visit is in April, when…

Wednesday Market

This busy weekly market sells food, clothing and household goods. It's held in the streets behind and to the north of Fatih Mosque.

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Istanbul Neighborhoods

Istanbul is the only city in the world that's spread over two continents, with the Bosphorus strait forming the dividing line between Europe and Asia. The Golden Horn, an inlet stemming from the Bosphorus, further cuts the European side of Istanbul into northern and southern halves. The city is divided into 30-plus districts, where more than 900 neighborhoods reside. You'll likely spend the majority of your time exploring the European side of the city, since the Asian side is mostly residential.

The European Side

The European side is where many of Istanbul's hotels and restaurants are located. A plethora of top attractions  and trendy nightlife venues also reside within this part of the city.

Accessible via Metro Istanbul's Kabatas-Bagcilar (T1) and Topkapi-Mescid-i Selam (T4) tram lines and Yenikapi-Atatürk Havalimani (M1A), Yenikapi-Kirazli (M1B) and Yenikapi-Haciosman (M2) subway lines at multiple stops

The historic district of Fatih is bordered by the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, and it is where you'll find most of Istanbul's highlights. This area holds a significant place in history, as it was once the city of Constantinople, the center of the Roman Empire. Multiple neighborhoods can be found within Fatih, including Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Fener and Edirnekapi.

Also referred to as the Old City, Sultanahmet – Fatih's easternmost neighborhood – features various boutique hotels, multiple museums (including the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Istanbul Archaeological Museums ) and the Basilica Cistern , an underground water reservoir that was built in 532. But this area is best known for its towering religious sights – the Hagia Sophia  and the Blue Mosque . Both sit by Sultanahmet Arkeolojik Park and Sultanahmet Square, where the city's ancient Hippodrome sports arena once stood.

Just west of Sultanahmet is Eminönü, where two of Istanbul's largest markets – the Grand Bazaar  and the Spice Bazaar – can be found. The neighborhood is also home to Istanbul University's main campus, plus 16th- and 17th-century religious sites like the Süleymaniye Mosque  and the New Mosque. Visitors who travel northwest of Eminönü will find Fatih's Fener neighborhood. Once the city's Greek community, the area now offers an array of colorful houses, some of which house chic cafes and boutiques. And northwest of Fener lies Edirnekapi, a part of Fatih that houses the Chora Museum, a Byzantine Greek orthodox church filled with mosaics and frescoes.

Accessible via Metro Istanbul's Yenikapi-Haciosman (M2) subway line at Sishane and Taksim subway stations.

There is a reason that Beyoglu , located directly north of Fatih across the Golden Horn, is sometimes called New Town. It's one of the trendier and more modern districts of Istanbul – a place you can visit to avoid a Byzantine architecture overload. Eclectic cafes, restaurants, art galleries and performance venues dot the winding streets, as do nightclubs and bars.

Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu's main road, is lined with beautiful architecture from the 1900s. The old buildings mingle with new stores and boutiques, perfectly representing Istanbul as a city of contradiction. One of those older buildings is the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah , which was built in 1892 and became a haven for royalty and celebrities, including Agatha Christie, who reportedly penned "Murder on the Orient Express" at the hotel.

At the top of the district's Galata Hill is Galata Tower , which was originally built in 1348 as a defense fortress. In the commercial neighborhood of Karaköy lies Istanbul Modern , a museum filled with contemporary works by Turkish artists. And by the area's Taksim Gezi Park, travelers will find Taksim Square. This central plaza is surrounded by the new Ataturk Cultural Center and hotels and has hosted multiple political protests.

Accessible via Metro Istanbul's Kabatas-Bagcilar (T1) tram line and Yenikapi-Haciosman (M2) subway line at Taksim station.

Along the European shores of the Bosphorus lies Besiktas , a quieter and more idyllic area of Istanbul. Summer homes built by the Ottomans in eras past, a few castles and palaces like the opulent Dolmabahçe Palace , plus quaint mini-neighborhoods, such as simple Ortaköy and high-end Bebek and Arnavutköy, dot the shore. A handful of luxury hotels can also be found here, but expect high room rates.

Princes' Islands

Accessible via Sehir Hatlari's Adalar (Princes' Islands) ferry lines.

For a relaxing day trip out of the chaos of the city, head to the Princes' Islands (known locally as Adalar), a collection of nine calm and peaceful islands that once served as exile islands for the Ottoman Empire. Situated in the Sea of Marmara parallel to the Asian coast, the Princes' Islands are accessible by ferry from both the European and Asian sides. The largest and most visited islands of the group are Heybeliada and Büyükada. Writers say they are the most scenic, with green hills and breezes, and are the easiest to reach.

The islands are famous for their beautiful Ottoman-era summer mansions and historic edifices and are an ideal place to escape from Istanbul's urban chaos. There are a few modern cafes, boutiques and cultural spaces on the islands, which abide to a more laid-back island mentality. The islands also have public beaches and a few private beach clubs with entrance fees. You can also spend the night here; a few hotels and some great seafood restaurants are scattered throughout. But remember, the islands are eco-conscious. Bikes and small electric public transportation vehicles are the only available modes of getting around.

The Asian/Anatolian Side

Primarily residential, the eastern half of Istanbul is a much calmer area when compared to its bustling, urban counterpart. Though accommodations options are limited on this side of the city, visitors will find the trendy Moda neighborhood, the historic Haydarpasa train station and the football-focused Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium here.

Kadiköy and Üsküdar

Accessible via Metro Istanbul's Kadiköy-Tavsantepe (M4) subway line at Ayrilik Çesmesi, Acibadem, Ünalan, Goztepe, Yenisahra, Kozyatagi and Bostanci stations. Also accessible via ferry from Eminönü, Besiktas and Karaköy.

The Moda neighborhood within the Kadiköy district is the trendiest part of the Anatolian side with young and modern cafes, boutiques, restaurants and bars scattered in and around Moda Caddesi (Moda Avenue). Kadife Sokak (Kadife Street) is the main hub for nightlife in this neighborhood, with plenty of bars and music venues that are crowded late into the night. Kadiköy’s Market (around Günesli Bahçe Street near the Kadiköy ferry port) is also one of the city's most important areas for food shopping with hundreds of shops and vendors selling meat, dairy, produce and more as well as Turkish street food of all kinds.

The backstreets of the Üsküdar districts are lined with restaurants and stores as well as interesting architecture such as the Fountain of Ahmed II, the Semsi Pasa Mosque and one of Istanbul's highest hills, Çamlica Hill. The Üsküdar area also features the Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi), where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city from its café.

According to the U.S. State Department, travelers should exercise some caution when visiting Turkey, due to possible terrorist attacks. Tourist sites, major events, transportation hubs and popular locales (like restaurants and nightclubs) are most prone to terrorist attacks. Also, avoid protests, gatherings and demonstrations, and keep tabs on local news. Signing up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , which notifies the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your travels, is strongly advised. To learn more about security concerns and safety tips for Turkey, visit the U.S. State Department's website .

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