Where To Go in Istanbul
95 places across 10 categories — the imperial mosques and the Byzantine cisterns, the palaces on the Bosphorus, the bazaars, and the neighborhoods where the city actually lives.
Mosques
From Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to the quiet Rustem Pasha and its Iznik tiles — the imperial mosques that give Istanbul its skyline.
Arap Mosque
The great thing about Arap Mosque is that it is close to many other major attractions such as the Blue Mosque and they are all easily walkable.
Bayezid Mosque
one mosque you should certainly have on your visit short-list is the beautiful Bayezid Mosque. You might also see this mosque called Beyazit Mosque.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque, it is one of the most visited spots in the entire city. People flock from everywhere to see the wonder and beauty.
Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque
Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque, known as Ortakoy Mosque, is a delightful sight to sore eyes. You can’t miss the beautiful mosque when passing by the Bosphorus Bridge
Eyup Sultan Mosque
You might think of the Blue Mosque when we talk about Istanbul’s famous religious buildings, but to Muslim’s, Eyup Sultan Mosque is one of the most special.
Fatih Mosque
There are many mosques in Istanbul, and all of them are beautiful and special in their own ways, but Fatih Mosque has history and beauty.
Museums
Byzantine cisterns, Ottoman treasuries and modern galleries — where Istanbul keeps three empires worth of collections.
Basilica Cistern
One of Istanbul’s most popular spots, Basilica Cistern is located in Sultanahmet, and is a historical, cultural, and downright amazing place to visit!
Chora Church
Often referred these days as the ‘Chora Museum’, Chora Church is a must visit for anyone who enjoys mosaics and artworks from history.
Galata Mevlevi Lodge
The Galata Mevlevi Lodge will take you to a whole different world, surrounding by the tranquility of the Sufi culture. As a tourist one would get acquainted
Hagia Irene
The Hagia Irene Museum is a spot which many people tend to stumble upon, but it is one which they are always glad they did!
Istanbul Archaeology Museum
The purpose of the Istanbul archaeology museum is well served. The museum is very elaborate and spread on a very large area.
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art is a private museum which opened its doors in 2004. Since then it has hosted various different artists...
Palaces
Topkapi, Dolmabahce and the Bosphorus summer palaces — four centuries of Ottoman court life, room by room.
Aynalikavak Palace
If you are on a trip to Istanbul, this is one of the places you just cannot miss! In a district called Beyoglu in Istanbul. It is called Aynalikavak Palace.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace, is a palace that has one of the best views from the Bosphorus, and this beautiful yet classic palace has a great story behind it.
Dolmabahçe Palace
One building which stands to this very day and shows visitors the scale of grandeur which the Ottomans adored, is Dolmabahce Palace.
Khedive Palace
The Khedive Palace, which is also referred to as the Khedive Villa, is located in the Cubuklu district of Istanbul . This lovely piece of antique was
Küçüksu Palace
Located in what is now the Kucuksu neighborhood of the Beykoz district, north of the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge and south of the Anadoluhisari.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is the largest and the oldest palace surviving in today’s world. The breathtaking architecture will leave you in awe of this place.
Castles & Towers
The land walls that held for a thousand years, the fortresses that took the city, and the towers that still own the view.
Anatolian Castle
The Anatolian Castle is a fortress located in Istanbul, and in Turkish, it is known as Anadoluhisari. It is found on the Asian side of Istanbul
Galata Tower
Combining one of the best photography spots in the entire city, with some of the most ancient history around, is Galata Tower.
Kuleli Military High School
One way that has proven to be true is through the establishment of the Kuleli Military High school, which was founded on September 21 in 1845.
Maiden's Tower
When you look at it, you might wonder what this, and why it is there. The building you’re seeing is Maiden’s Tower, or Kiz Kulesi, in Turkish.
The Rumelian Castle
The Rumelian Castle, also known as the Rumelihisari in Turkish is located on a hill at the European side of the Bosporus.
Walls of Constantinople
The Walls of Constantinople, this is a monument that is mentioned at every given chance when mentioning what Istanbul has to offer to anyone.
Churches
Istanbul's living Greek, Armenian, Bulgarian and Catholic congregations — and the buildings they still fill.
Church of Saint Anthony of Padua
The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is often shortened to Saint Antoine Church, and is the largest Roman Catholic Church in the city of Istanbul.
Church of Saint George
Located in one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, in Fatih, the Cathedral Church of Saint George is a Greek Orthodox Church which is still in working order.
St. Esprit Cathedral
St. Esprit Cathedral is also known as The Cathedral of The Holy Spirit and is one of the main Catholic Churches in Istanbul.
The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, also known as the Bulgarian Iron Church, is yet another lovely monumental building which is still in use in Istanbul.
Shopping & Bazaars
The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, Istiklal and Bagdat Street, and the glass-and-steel malls that came after.
Arasta Bazaar
The Arasta Bazaar is yet another well-known bazaar in Istanbul that has a great range to offer from jewelry to carpets. Despite being much smaller in geo...
Bagdat Street
Bagdat Street located on the Asian side of Istanbul is a noteworthy part of the city, which brings so much life to the city.
Cevahir Mall
Upon entering the Cevahir Mall you will be embraced with that feeling of standing right on the edge of a stunning abyss with pleasant
City’s Nisantasi
The City's Nisantasi shopping center is located right there, in the retail shopping heart of Istanbul, the Tesvikiye street of Nisantasi quarter.
Grand Bazaar
One place you have to visit when you head to Istanbul is the large, colourful, busy, and maze-like Grand Bazaar for an experience which cannot be bettered.
Istanbul Sapphire
It’s very hard to miss the Istanbul Sapphire, it is a huge skyscraper, spanning over 54 floors, and giving a huge boost of modernity to an ancient city.
Parks
Tulip season at Emirgan, the old palace gardens at Gulhane, and Turkey in miniature at Miniaturk.
Emirgan Park
Emirgan Park is one of those historic open spaces, that should certainly be on your visit list when you head to Istanbul.
Gulhane Park
Gulhane Park is the oldest public park in Istanbul and also known as Rosehouse Park. It is a historical park, located on the ground of Topkapi Palace.
Miniaturk
In 2003, a Marquette park was opened as it reflects mini models of old Ottoman architectural works. The mini Turkey Park is none other than Miniaturk Park.
The Bosphorus
The strait that splits the city between Europe and Asia, and the bridges that stitch it back together.
Bosphorus Bridge
If you’re someone who is regularly amazed by feats of architecture, then the Bosphorus Bridge is a spot you need to see with your own eyes.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is widely known as the ‘second bridge’. This bridge was completed in 1973 and covers a huge 1074 metres across the water.
Other Places
The Hippodrome, Taksim Square, the Princes Islands and the other landmarks that do not fit a neat category.
Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge, another monument of Istanbul , is found on the Golden Horn as it carries 3 vehicular lanes, a tram line, and a side walk in each direction.
Golden Horn
Any visitor to Istanbul will no doubt know what the Golden Horn is without actually realising it. This is the iconic skyline...
Haydarpaşa Terminal
It looks far too important to be nothing at all. This is a very important building, and one who ch is steeped in history. This is Haydarpasa Terminal.
Istanbul Dolphinarium
The Istanbul Dolphinarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Once you are here, you will be ensured of a day full of full, frolic and laughter. This is a wonderful place to interact with and watch the dolphins do what they do best!
Princes' Islands
The Princes’ Islands are a lesser known part of Istanbul, but they couldn’t be further away from hustle and bustle if they tried.
Sureyya Opera House
The Sureyya Opera house has been a part of Istanbul for close enough to a decade, and so it is a historical site which still serves a great purpose even today. The opera house, which is also known as Sureyya Cultural Center, clearly speaks for itself when it comes to what it has to offer. Culture.
Neighborhoods
Sultanahmet, Beyoglu, Kadikoy, Ortakoy and the rest — what each quarter is actually like to walk around.
Anadolu Kavagi
on the very north of the Anatolian (Asian) side of Istanbul, lies Anadolu Kavagi, a beautiful area protected from urbanisation
Bebek
In Bebek, ne can see Istanbul from a whole different perspective, and see where the high class spend their spare time, and where they live.
Besiktas
Everyone assumes that Taksim is the only major entertainment and nightlife district in Istanbul, but that viewpoint is a total fallacy.
Beyoglu
Istanbul has many districts and small towns which make up the city’s whole.You’re going to pass through several of these neighbourhoods
Eminönü
A former district of Istanbul for most of the 20th century, this area was combined with Fatih as one of its neighborhoods in 2009.
Eyüp
Eyüp is a district of Istanbul that is amongst the most conservative ones, even though the area was populated by a vast number of refugees from the Balkans