Istanbul is one of those rare cities that feels alive with history. It is a place where empires, religions, and cultures have collided for millennia. It’s the only major city in the world that straddles two continents — Europe and Asia — separated by the shimmering Bosphorus Strait.
The city was founded on the former site of the Greek colony of Byzantium and was named Constantinople after Constantine the Great, becoming the second capital of the Roman Empire. After the division of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became the capital of the Byzantine Empire. For five centuries, from the 15th century on, Istanbul was the beating heart of one of the world’s most powerful Ottoman empires. A city of poets, sultans, and merchants, where the East and West intertwined in language, art, and spirit.
For many years, we were planning to visit it, but always postponed it because it seemed very difficult to organise it by ourselves. We were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to manage the technicalities of getting there and around the city. But we were wrong. Everything was so simple and beautiful. We enjoyed the vibrant energy, warm people, architectural wonders, culinary heaven, and unforgettable scenery of this extraordinary city.
Sunsets over the Golden Horn and the call to prayer echoing across the city create an atmosphere that feels timeless.
First, we researched online about the most important places to see and things to do. We created a list of them, and next to each name, we added a note indicating the type of attraction and whether a ticket is required for entrance. For attractions that have their own websites, we provide a link so you can obtain more information. For more practical info, read our next post, Practical Information for Visiting Istanbul (coming soon).
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN ISTANBUL
| Attractions in Istanbul | Type | Need ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sofija | mosque | no |
| Blue Mosque- Sultanahmet Camii | mosque | no |
| Suleymaniye Mosque | mosque | no |
| Fatih Mosque | mosque | no |
| Rustem Pasha Mosque | mosque | no |
| Yeni Cami Mosque | mosque | no |
| Şerefiye Cistern | cistern | yes |
| Basilica Cistern | cistern | yes |
| Topkapi palace | palace | yes |
| Dolmbahce Palace | palace | yes |
| Hurrem Sultan Hammam | bath | yes |
| Hypodrome | Roman circus | no |
| Aqueduct of Valens | Roman aqueduct | no |
| Column of Constantine | Roman column | no |
| Serpent Column | Roman column | no |
| Obelisk of Theodosius | Egyptian obelisk | no |
| Galata Tower | tower | yes |
| Galata Bridge | bridge | no |
| Taksim Square | square | no |
| İstiklal Cd. | street | no |
| Çukur Cuma Cd. | street | no |
| Kamondo Stairs | steps | no |
| Egyptian Bazaar | spice bazar | no |
| Grand Bazaar | bazar | no |
| Whirling Dervishes | traditional dance | yes |
| Eminönü Ortaköy Üsküdar | ferry | yes |
| Ferry to the Asian side | ferry | yes |
While making an itinerary for Istanbul, we used the Wanderlog app. There, you pick and add attractions, and it calculates how far they are from each other and shows you the way on the map. And many more features. And it is completely free.
OUR CHOICE OF WHAT TO SEE IN ISTANBUL
Deciding on what to see was hard. An important factor was knowing the distances between the attractions and our physical condition. That is where the Wonderlog app was invaluable. Putting the attractions we wanted to see on the map showed us what we could do in one day without getting too tired. Finally, we put together an easy 5-day itinerary (6 days including travel) in Istanbul. You can check it in the table at the bottom of this post. You will find the empty tables/spreadsheets to download for free on the page Tables and lists.
Hagia Sophia – One of Turkey’s most visited and worshipped places. The Hagia Sophia means “Holy Wisdom”. First, it was built as a Christian church in the 4th century, during the reign of Constantine I, who accepted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I constructed the current Hagia Sophia in the 6th century, after the previous basilica was destroyed, forming the structure that stands today.
After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the church was converted into the Hagia Sophia Mosque. For a short time in the 20th century, it was converted to a museum, but now it is once again a mosque.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) – a 17th-century mosque, is one of the most magnificent structures of the Ottoman Empire. It is set next to the Byzantine Hippodrome and across from the Hagia Sophia. Known for having six minarets (rather than the standard four) and for its many domes and semidomes.
The building became known as the Blue Mosque for the colour of its interior. The interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. In fact, it is properly known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, after the Sultan who ordered its construction.
The Hippodrome was a circus that served as the sporting, chariot racing and social centre of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today, it is a square known as Sultanahmet Square
Obelisk of Theodosius – is one of three remaining monuments of the Hippodrome, an ancient Egyptian obelisk from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III that was re-erected in the Hippodrome. The structure originally stood at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt.
Fatih Mosque’s history and a famous resident give this mosque incredible prestige. The mosque’s name, ‘Fatih’, meaning conqueror, comes from Sultan Mehmet II, conqueror of Constantinople, whose grand tomb sits just next to the mosque. The Fatih Mosque was completed in 1470 and was a part of a vast social complex of schools, hospitals, soup kitchens, and a library.
Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest Ottoman-era mosque in the city. The building was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. It is one of the best-known sights of Istanbul, and from its location on the Hill, it offers an extensive view of the city around the Golden Horn. The Mosque is considered a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and one of Mimar Sinan’s greatest works. It. The Süleymaniye Mosque and its Associated Conservation Area are one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Rustem Pasha Mosque is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, near the Spice Bazaar.
It was designed by the Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. It is widely regarded as one of Sinan’s most beautiful mosques for the very fine tiles covering the interior and exterior walls.
Topkapı Palace is the lavish seat of Ottoman sultans, complete with gardens and relics. The Palace had been the house of the Ottoman Dynasty in Istanbul for 4 centuries. It consists of several courtyards in an extensive area that is surrounded by 5th-century walls built during the time of the Roman Empire.
The Topkapı Palace Museum have a large collection of porcelain, robes, weapons, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, and much more. The world’s fourth-largest 86-carat pear-shaped diamond, the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, is one of the most valuable exhibits of the Topkapı Palace Museum. Unlike typical European palaces, which feature one large building with outlying gardens, Topkapı is a series of pavilions, kitchens, barracks, audience chambers, kiosks and sleeping quarters built around a central enclosure. Its exceptionally located terraces offer the most magnificent panoramic views over the famous Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
Basilica Cistern – or Yerebatan Sarnıcı is the world’s largest known underground cistern (water reservoir) constructed in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian to supply water for the city of Constantinople. It has never been destroyed or rebuilt. A large water reservoir is an underground wonder supported by hundreds of marble columns.
Or visit (we did, less crowded, equally impressive)
Cistern of Theodosius – The Serefiye Sarnıcı is one of many ancient cisterns of Constantinople (Istanbul) that lie beneath the city and is often described as the most elegant of Istanbul’s cisterns. This 1,600-year-old subterranean palace, lost to time for centuries, has been reborn as a stunning fusion of ancient architecture and modern art. The space is a breathtaking hypostyle hall, a silent “forest” of 32 exquisite marble columns rising from the floor to support a ceiling. The ancient cistern is used as a canvas for breathtaking light shows and immersive art installations.
The Galata Bridge is situated in the Golden Horn estuary, which connects the old Istanbul with its more modern areas. It is a bustling place filled with traffic and people going about their business. Hundreds of fishermen are casting their rods over the side. Tasty and affordable Turkish street food is abundant, from hot corn on the cob to fish sandwiches. Restaurants under the bridge serve a variety of dishes, including the speciality of fresh fish caught daily. To experience İstanbul at its most magical, walk across the Galata Bridge at sunset.
Galata Tower – Offers breathtaking panoramic views over the city. It is a medieval Genoese tower in Galata, a part of the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. Built as a watchtower at the highest point of the mostly demolished Galata Walls, the tower is now an exhibition space and museum.
Istiklal Avenue – is the city’s main pedestrian artery running from Taksim Square to the Galata Tower. The street is filled with shops, street performers, cafés, restaurants, galleries, and cinemas.
In the middle of the street runs the nostalgic red tram. It is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul.
Taksim Square – Modern Istanbul’s heart, lively both day and night. Taksim Square attracts attention not only for its vibrant social life but also for its cultural richness. It is home to many of the city’s most important theatres, art galleries, and museums. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with its central station being the hub of the Istanbul Metro network. The square was once a prominent venue for political protests.
Dolmabahçe Palace is a stunning 19th-century blend of European and Ottoman style, placed along the European shore of the Bosporus, in a trendy neighbourhood by the water. It served as the main administrative centre and royal residence of the Ottoman Empire until 1922.
Placed in beautiful gardens, the palace is divided into three sections: Selamlık (the administrative section), the Muayede Salonu (ceremonial hall), and the Harem (the harem and the apartments of the sultan’s family).
Aqueduct of Valens was a Roman aqueduct system built in the late 4th century AD to supply Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, with water. It is almost 1 kilometre long and 20 meters high.
You can find it in the district of Fatih, and the best view is where it runs over the big Atatürk Boulevard.
The Bosphorus is a natural strait and an internationally significant waterway that straddles Istanbul. It connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and forms one of the continental boundaries between Asia and Europe.
Take a Ferry Ride on the regular line from Eminönü to Ortaköy to Üsküdar, as that is the best cheap “cruise” in the world, with views of palaces, mansions, and both continents. It takes two hours to come back to the starting point. (details about it in our next post, Practical Information for Visiting Istanbul).
The Asian Side, located on the vast Anatolian Peninsula, is home to waterfront attractions like the ornate Beylerbeyi Palace and the Şemsi Paşa Mosque. It offers a more traditional and laid-back ambience. It is a place where you can experience the slower pace of life and immerse yourself in the local culture.
While crossing from one side to the other, you should watch for a tiny island to see the picturesque Maiden’s Tower that offers sweeping city views.
Districts of Kadıköy, Üsküdar, and Kuzguncuk are bursting with charm, delicious food, colourful streets, and local life. Kadıköy is a Bohemian and authentic district that is full of food markets and cafés. Üsküdar has beautiful mosques, seaside walks, and views back across to Europe. Çamlıca Hill is worth climbing for panoramic city views, especially at sunset.
What else to do
Bazaars of Istanbul
Istanbul has many famous markets, but the most prominent is the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. It is a labyrinth-like historic centre of commerce that was once part of the Silk Road. Bargaining is common and expected, and shopkeepers may offer you tea while you shop. What to buy: A huge variety of goods, including hand-woven rugs, jewellery, leather goods, ceramics, lamps, spices, and souvenirs.
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) is another popular market. It is known as one of the oldest covered bazaars in Istanbul. Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, it is a real feast for the senses.
Also known for its vibrant and fragrant atmosphere is one of the best places to find spices, Turkish sweets, teas, dried fruits, and local delicacies.
Whirling Dervishes show
The Whirling Dervishes, or more accurately, the Mevlevi, are a Sufi order. The sect was founded in the 13th century, south of Ankara. The ‘whirling’ ceremony for which the Mevlevi are known is a ritual designed to bring participants closer to God, known as the Mevlevi Sema ceremony. It sees a group of five faithful members of the congregation spin rhythmically in circles to the tune of melodic hymns performed by a live band. It might look simple, but whirling takes great skill, patience, and years of training to perfect. The dervishes spin anti-clockwise, symbolising their journey away from the ego and towards God.
Tasting Turkish food
Istanbul is the heart of Turkey’s culinary culture. Because the city is a historic crossroads between Europe and Asia, its food is a mix of Ottoman heritage, regional Turkish traditions, and modern street-food culture.
Turkish cuisine here is beyond kebabs — think meze spreads, simit (sesame bread rings), fish sandwiches by the Bosphorus, and baklava dripping with pistachio. The café culture is unbeatable too.
