Best Things to do in Istanbul

Looking for the best things to do in Istanbul? Istanbul has one of the highest concentrations of “must-see” sights than any other city in the world.

We’ve put together all the best Istanbul attractions to help you make the most of your time in a city that spans two continents. 

Visiting Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most accessible cities to explore. With some of the best places to visit in Turkey in the city, many of the most famous Istanbul landmarks are within walking distance.

Whether you do a self-guided tour or take an Istanbul Old City walking tour, even if you only had one day in Istanbul, you can still tick off many of the most famous Istanbul attractions. 

However, a few days or more is recommended for Istanbul as there is so much to see and do beyond the most famous attractions and landmarks. 

Plan Your Istanbul Sightseeing Itinerary

With so much to see and do in Istanbul, we advise having a bit of a plan before you arrive, especially if you are short on time.

Consider any of the more popular attractions you may want to visit. Arriving early at these attractions, especially in peak season, is advisable, as is buying skip-the-line tickets in advance for popular attractions such as Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace.

Tip: Check opening times in advance, as some of Istanbul’s best attractions close on at least one day of the week. Having a bit of a plan can save a few hours of your precious time in Istanbul over the course of a day. 

Guided Tours of Istanbul

Discovering Istanbul’s best attractions independently is fantastic, especially if you have lots of time. However, we have found taking at least one tour is sometimes the best and most efficient way to see Istanbul. Especially if you are short on time and want to see a lot.

Many walking tours of the Old City are inexpensive and take the hassle out of queueing for tickets at the top Istanbul attractions, especially in peak season.

• Five-Hour Walking Tour of Istanbul’s Old City
• Best of Istanbul in 1 Day
• Full-Day Small Group City Highlights Tour
• Ancient Town of Constantinople Guided Tour
• Half-Day Tour Including Hagia Sophia
• Best of the City Private Full-Day Walking Tour
• 1 or 2-Day Private Guided Tour with Hotel Transfer

Tip for Visiting the Best Istanbul Attractions: An Istanbul Pass offers skip-the-line access to Istanbul’s best attractions, including free guided tours at the top sites, discounted entries, discounted one way airport transfer, and more. You can choose from 3, 5, or 7 Day passes. Get full details here.

Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square, also known as Hippodrome, is at the centre of Old Town Istanbul – the heart of the Old City and the central point for the best Istanbul sightseeing.

The compact and relatively traffic-free area of Sultanahmet makes it easy to explore Istanbul’s best attractions on foot, including the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque.

More than just a great meeting place and starting point for exploring all the best things to see in Istanbul, Sultanahmet square has some important points of interest. 

Things to See in Sultanahmet Square

Hippodrome of Constantinople

Sultanahmet Square was the original setting of the Hippodrome of Constantinople. A public venue for chariot races, athletic events and political activities back when the city was known as Constantinople.

The social centre of Istanbul, the Hippodrome, was 450m long with a U-shaped racetrack and spectator stands capable of holding 100,00 people. 

The Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column

The Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column (or what remains of it) still stands in the square as reminders of past rulers and the glory days of the Hippodrome.

Theodosius the Great bought the Obelisk from Egypt in the 4th century. To transport it, he had the original work cut into three pieces and erected the top section on a marble pedestal where it has stood in near-perfect condition for 3500 years.

Hagia Sophia Museum

Hagia Sofia is, without a doubt, an Istanbul must-see. Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral, St Sophia has had many lives. Aside from a brief period between 1204 and 1261 when it was converted into a Roman Catholic Cathedral, the building remained Orthodox until 1453.

It was then Hagia Sophia became a mosque until 1931, when it was secularised and opened as a museum in 1935. In 2020, Hagia Sophia was controversially returned to the status of a working mosque by president Erdogan. This means that the building no longer retains museum status and, much like the Blue Mosque, will be run by clerics rather than museum curators.

Hagia Sophia Opening Times and Entry

• As Hagia Sophia is no longer a museum, it is free to enter, as with all mosques in Istanbul.
• It is open daily from 9.00 am – 5.00 pm but will close to tourists during prayer times.

Hagia Sophia Visit Recommendations 

• As with any mosque, modest dress for both men and women and a headscarf for women will be required on entry, and you will need to remove your shoes.
• Friday is not the best time to visit as it will be busy with local worshippers.
• The mosque may close 1 hour before prayer times and reopen half an hour after prayer, so factor this into your timings.

Basilica Cistern

Another initiative of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian- the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century, is only 500 meters from Hagia Sophia. It is the largest of several hundred cisterns beneath the city of Istanbul.  

Historical archives claim it took 7,000 slaves to build the structure. At what price clean water? A timeless question, it would seem.

Construction of the Basilica Cistern

To put the size of the cistern into perspective:

• The cathedral-size cistern is approximately 138 meters x 65 meters.
• Is capable of holding around 80,000 cubic meters of water.
• It requires 336 carefully spaced marble columns to support the cathedral-style ceiling.

Most of the carved marble pillars are believed to be recycled ruins from other parts of the empire, including leftovers from Hagi Sophia. It is undoubtedly an impressive water-holding facility.

The Basilica Cistern Tear Column

There are some interesting features in the Basilica Cistern. One is a single column carved with pictures of a hen’s eye, slanted branches, and tears. It resembles the columns of the Triumphal Arch of Theodosius, and the tears pay tribute to the hundreds of slaves who died during the cistern construction.

Medusa Heads of the Basilica Cistern

Another unique feature of the cistern is the two columns that have pedestals with the appearance of Medusa carved into them. While it is assumed these carvings were repurposed from another building, there is no evidence they were used as pedestals. What is unsure is the intention behind their placement.

One Medusa sits on her side –  Ancient urban myth states it was to negate the power of the Gorgon’s Gaze said to turn one to stone. This theory is often rejected in favour of the opinion the placement was for no other reason than being the correct size to support the column.

Why the other Medusa upside-down is unknown – she would be the same size upright.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was built in 1459 by Sultan Mehmed II. For nearly 400 years during the Ottoman period, the palace was the primary residence of  Sultans.

Named by UNESCO as one of the finest examples of palaces of the Ottoman period, it is now a museum and popular tourist attraction.

The palace has impressive collections of porcelain, clocks, weapons, shields and armour, and some of the most precious jewels in the world. There are also important Muslim holy relics such as Muhammed’s cloak and sword. 

In the Mohamed Chamber, you will find a small booth where local Imam’s recite passages from the Quran around the clock, as it has been done continuously for 500 years. 

Blue Mosque

Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish, the Blue Mosque, was built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I.

Named for the 20,000 blue Iznik tiles around the interior walls, the Blue Mosque is still a functioning mosque, one of the most iconic Istanbul landmarks, and one of the most popular things to see in Istanbul.

Tips for Visiting the Blue Mosque

Entry Fee

• There is no cost to enter the Blue Mosque.
• There is the option to donate towards the maintenance of the mosque at the exit door. A contribution is not compulsory, but a receipt will be given for any donations made.
• The Blue Mosque is only open to visitors outside prayer times, leaving only small windows for visiting, so be prepared for long queues and crowds.

Blue Mosque Opening Times for Visitors

•  Prayer is five times a day, lasting 90 minutes.
• The mosque is closed on Friday mornings for Friday prayer.

• Men need to wear pants that cover the knee. Anything above the knee is not acceptable.

The Grand Bazaar Istanbul

Lose yourself in one of Istanbul’s most vibrant attractions –  the Grand Bazaar.
The Grand Bazaar was commissioned by Mehmet II after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453 to provide financial resources for Hagia Sophia.

Istanbul Bazaar Tour Recommendations 

If you are in the market for a specific souvenir from Istanbul, such as gold or a Turkish rug, we recommend taking a guided shopping tour in the Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar is overwhelming at the best of times, so it can be easy to get hustled when bartering for a quality item. 

We did say you can find almost anything in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul Spice Bazaar

The Istanbul Spice Bazaar, also known as The Egyptian Bazaar was built in 1660 with revenue from the Ottoman Eyalet in Egypt.

There are nearly 100 shops in the Spice Bazaar selling spices, sweets, teas, and many other exotic foods and trinkets. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the heady aromas and buzzing market atmosphere.

Buy Authentic Turkish Delight

For authentic Turkish delight, the spice market is where you come. Enthusiastic vendors will be vying for your business which quickly becomes confusing. If you want to purchase quality, authentic Turkish Delight, don’t make the mistake of being worn down and sold the cheap stuff on display in front of many stores.

Galata

For the best 360 views of Istanbul, head to the Galata Tower in the Galata neighbourhood. From the top of the 60-metre tower, you can see as far as the Princes’ Islands on a good day.

There is a cafe on the 9th floor of the tower; however, the neighbourhood of Galata is buzzing with great shopping, restaurants, and cafes, it would be a shame to miss the atmosphere of this charming neighbourhood.

There are lovely terraces and squares surrounding the tower where you can enjoy Turkish coffee and great local food at a reasonable price. It’s a fabulous part of Istanbul for the atmosphere and people-watching.

Dolmabahçe Palace

On the European side of Istanbul is the Dolmabahçe Palace, built between 1843 and 1856 by the 31st Sultan, Adülmecid I.

The objective – a palace with the same contemporary style, luxury, and comfort as the European Monarchs. Something the medieval Topkapi Palace could not match.

Dolmabahçe Palace, the largest palace in Turkey, comprises three parts; the Imperial Mabeyn or State Apartments, the Ceremonial Hall, and the Imperial Harem.

In the sultan’s bid to match the contemporary opulence of his European counterparts, construction of the palace cost the equivalent of $1.5 billion in current terms – approximately a quarter of the yearly tax revenue.

The construction cost put a tremendous financial burden on the Ottoman Empire, leading to eventual state bankruptcy.

The palace is decorated extensively with gold and crystal. The decor includes fourteen tons of gold leaf to gild the ceilings and the world’s biggest crystal chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria.

The palace is also famous for the Crystal Staircase, made from Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany in the shape of a horseshoe. Unfortunately, as with all of the Palaces in Turkey, no interior photographs are permitted.

Dolmabahçe was home to six Sultans until 1924. Ownership was transferred to the national heritage of the new Turkish Republic, founded by Mustafa Atatürk.

Atatürk used the palace as a presidential residence during the summers and spent his final days of medical treatment there until his death in 1938. All the clocks in the palace read 9.05 am to honour the time of his death.

Skip the Line ticket with a guided tour is recommended to make the most of your visit, especially during peak season. Get details here.

Istiklal Avenue

Described as the Champs Elysees of Istanbul, the 1.4 km long pedestrian street is the heart of modern Istanbul.

It seems Istiklal Avenue always has a steady flow of locals, coming to shop on the street where local traders remain, nestled amongst international chain stores.

Take the historic tram to Taksim Square to see the Monument of the Republic.

The Golden Horn

Take a drive along the shores of the Golden Horn. Contrary to what one might first assume, this major urban waterway is not named for the curved shape of the estuary but for the golden glow left on the water when the sun sets on the city of Istanbul.

Along the Golden Horn is the district of Fener, home to a large Greek and Jewish population. After the fall of Constantinople, Fener became home to the many Greeks of the city as well as the Greek Patriarchate.
Since 1586, the Orthodox Patriarchate has maintained its headquarters in this relatively modest church in Fener and is also said to hold remnants of the shackles which bound Christ.

Discover the Two Continents of Istanbul

One of the most common questions asked about Turkey is – what continent is Turkey in? In Istanbul, they will proudly tell you, “Both!”
Nowhere else in Turkey is the divide more apparent than in Istanbul, where the city spans the two continents. The Bosphorus Strait divides the city of Istanbul into the Asian and European sides of Istanbul.

On either side of Istanbul’s famous Bosphorus Bridge, you will see signs welcoming you to Europe or Asia. While geographically, it might appear a little untidy, for the traveller, it is a fun indulgence knowing you can tick off two continents in one day.

Take a Bosphorus Cruise

What better way to take in the two continents of Istanbul than a Bosphorus boat tour?
A cruise down the Strait and under the Bosphorus Bridge allows you to look back on Istanbul for a new perspective while enjoying some quiet amidst the chaos.

Camlica Hill.

Cross the famous Bosphorus Bridge – one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, to the Asian side and Camlica Hill. Camlica Hill, the highest peak in Istanbul, commands magnificent views of the Bosphorus, old Istanbul, and Galata.

Standing on top of Camlica Hill gives you a little perspective of the enormity of the city of Istanbul. A favourite spot on weekends for locals. The beautiful gardens and tea rooms make it an ideal escape from the city for lunch and, of course, with views like this, popular for weddings.

Visit Caferağa Medresseh

The Madrasa is like a school for the arts with more than a dozen courses on offer, including the popular Turkish art of marbling known as Ebru.

See a demonstration of the intricate art form. The piece’s creation, which is set to beautiful traditional music, is quite mesmerising, watching the delicate picture unfold as if telling a story.

Offering everything from Ottoman language courses to calligraphy and reed flute (Ney), Caferaga Madrasa has become a popular place for both Turkish and foreigners to study traditional Turkish arts.

Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul experiences very hot summers and cold winters, with snow being quite common.

The shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to mid-November) are the best times to visit Istanbul. It is also the best time to visit all of Europe. 

Temperatures are pleasant, and the crowds at the city’s major attractions are a little more manageable than the peak tourist months of June to late August.

Accommodation prices from June through August will also be a little more inflated.

Istanbul Tulip Festival

In spring, the city comes alive with a brilliant display of colour thanks to millions of tulips planted by the government. The annual Istanbul Tulip Festival is held throughout April.

Where To Stay in Istanbul

Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet (the old town of Istanbul) is the best place to stay in Istanbul for first-timers. All of the most popular Istanbul attractions are within walking distance, which is very convenient.

Expect to find traditional boutique hotels such as the restored 19th century Ottoman boutique hotel – Dersaadet Hotel. From here, you can easily access all attractions and the best restaurants in the Sultanahmet area. Search more Sultanahmet hotels here. 

Taksim

You will find high-end hotels such as the Hyatt and Hilton in Taksim and Istiklal Avenue, the busiest street in Istanbul. Another lively area with both visitors and locals, there is easy access to the main attractions by metro and tram. Search Taksim Hotels here.