Istanbul is rich in attractions with its legacy of the famous Ottoman Empire and as a gateway to Asia.
Turkey’s most populous settlement, it is a cultural, artistic, and economic hub, and was the capital until 1923.
The city spans the Bosporus and the Sea of Marmara, and although only a smaller part of it is in Europe, it is still considered a European city. Its unique location, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman architectural relics, as well as the artistic works in its museums and palaces, have made it a favorite destination for tourists.
Table of Contents
Istanbul attractions
Hagia Sophia
Istanbul’s most famous building and the top destination for every tourist.
Built in the 6th century by Emperor Constantine I, it was constructed in just five years. From 1453, after Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, until 1934 it served as a mosque, then as a museum until 2020, and since July 2020 it has functioned again as a mosque.
The building is massive: the main dome is 31 meters in diameter and 55.6 meters high, with a total floor area of 7570 m2.
Opening hours: April 15 – October 1, 9 AM-7 PM; October 1 – April 15, 9 AM-5 PM. Closed on Mondays!
Admission is free!
Blue Mosque
Originally named Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it is located opposite Hagia Sophia. Its name comes from the blue tiles covering the interior walls.
One notable difference from Hagia Sophia is its six minarets. Only two mosques in Turkey have this feature (the other is in Adana).
The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 by order of Sultan Ahmed I. The complex includes the tomb of the Sultan and his wife, Kösem Sultan, a madrasah, and a hospital. The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most popular attractions, one of the world’s most famous buildings, and part of the World Heritage.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Unsurprisingly, this mosque is also a must-see among Istanbul’s attractions! The city’s second-largest mosque, it was commissioned by Sultan Suleiman I.
The mosque measures 59×58 meters, with the main dome 53 meters high and 27.25 meters in diameter. In the garden, you can find the mausoleums of Suleiman I and his wife (Hürrem), and daughter (Mihrimah).
Galata Tower
Istanbul’s most famous lookout, originally built as a lighthouse in the 6th century.
The Romanesque building stands 66.9 meters tall with a diameter of 16.45 meters, and wall thickness of 3.75 meters. It also has a café on top, offering a 360-degree view of Istanbul.
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here!
Dolmabahçe Palace
Located on the western, European side of the Bosporus, north of Beyoğlu.
It served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1923. Built by Sultan Abdul-Mecid I, it was completed in 1856. The palace contains 285 rooms and 46 halls.
The palace comprises three parts: the Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn (men’s quarters), Muayede Salonu (the ceremonial halls), and the Harem-i Hümâyûn (the harem or the Sultan’s family quarters).
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here! Closed on Mondays!
Topkapı Palace
The administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853, it was commissioned by Sultan Mehmed II. It is one of the world’s most famous palaces.
Located between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara at the so-called Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point), the palace consists of several smaller buildings surrounded by four courtyards. It currently operates as a museum, showcasing porcelain and glassware, Ottoman-era clothing, weapons, miniatures, calligraphic documents, and jewels.
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here! Closed on Tuesdays!
Sunken Palace
Also known as the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), it’s one of the largest among the several hundred ancient water reservoirs. Built in 532 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it was in use until the end of the 16th century.
The 143×54 meter hall is supported by 336 marble columns, each over 8 meters tall. The walls of the hall are 4 meters thick.
The cistern was featured in the 2016 movie „Inferno”.
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here!
Ortaköy Mosque
A mid-19th-century Ottoman mosque in the neo-baroque style, located on the Bosphorus shore.
It’s worth visiting the Ortaköy district for its vibrant atmosphere. Numerous cafés, restaurants await visitors, and the mosque offers a great view across the river.
Taksim Square
Istanbul’s main square and a popular meeting place for locals. Here stands the Republic Monument.
The İstiklal Avenue, the city’s main street, starts southwest from here. It’s lined with numerous shops, cafés, restaurants, and famous buildings like Madame Tussauds and the historic Çiçek Pasajı passage.
Galata Bridge
This bridge connects the Golden Horn with the old city (Sultanahmet). It’s worth walking from Galata Tower to Hagia Sophia across the bridge.
The lower part of the bridge hosts a fish market and seafood restaurants. Boat trips also depart from here.
Archaeological Museum
Istanbul’s most significant museum, where the Ancient Orient section displays about 15,000 artifacts, mainly from ancient Mesopotamia and pre-Greek Anatolia.
The museum offers a broad spectrum of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and other Anatolian peoples’ legacies, dating back to the sixth century BC.
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here!
Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi)
One of Istanbul’s iconic buildings, located on a small island on the Bosphorus shore. Its location makes it a popular attraction.
It functioned as a lighthouse for a long time. Today, it houses a café and restaurant, offering a magnificent view of the city from its upper terrace.
Rumelihisarı
The Rumeli Fortress or castle is a complex built on a hillside along the Bosphorus, northwest of the city center.
Built in the 1450s during Sultan Mehmed II’s reign, it was intended for the conquest of Constantinople. After the city’s capture, it lost its military role, later serving as a prison and open-air theater. It now operates as a museum.
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here! Closed on Mondays!
Seven Towers
Known in Turkish as Yedikule Hisarı, located southwest of the city center on the Sea of Marmara shore.
The fortress’s most famous part is the Porta Aurea (Golden Gate), over 1600 years old. Unfortunately, it’s quite dilapidated, but renovation works have recently started.
It functioned as a prison for centuries, housing several Hungarian notables: Bálint Török, Gergely Bornemissza, Pál Béldi.
Miniatürk
The park displays miniature replicas of Turkey’s attractions.
With more than 130 models at a 1:25 scale, it’s one of the largest parks of its kind in the world. It features buildings from beyond Turkey’s borders, such as the Gül Baba tomb in Budapest.
Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here!
Grand Bazaar
Not far from Hagia Sophia, it’s one of the world’s largest covered markets.
