Best Places to Visit in Istanbul

By Esranur Günel

What are the best places to visit in Istanbul? Travelers always want to know the best places to visit in Istanbul. So, I wanted to gather the best places to visit in Istanbul in this travel blog. If you want to discover the most beautiful places of Istanbul, this travel blog will provide a comprehensive guideline for you to explore the best places to visit in Istanbul.

Istanbul is one of our favorite cities where a full historical, cultural and social experiences can be gained. Moreover, Istanbul is not only the capital of poets’ poems, epics, stories and novels, but also the capital of many movies and documentaries. With its cosmopolitan structure and historical texture, Istanbul is not only a living space, but also a distinguished city where every street and stone has a life experience.

In Istanbul, there are tens or even hundreds of excursion routes that can be created according to everyone’s own experience and expectations. From historical old city area to beautiful Bosphorus… From the colorful streets of Balat to natural areas in Sarıyer and Beykoz… Istanbul is a city where you can be completely intertwined with nature, historical buildings, art galleries, and museums. Thousands of tourists visit Istanbul every year and its popularity has been increasing day by day.

So what makes Istanbul special for the visitors?

Istanbul is an amazing city where anyone can find whatever wants from history to culture, from culture to nature, and from nature to entertainment. Located in two different continents, it is easy to reach from one to the other destination with private and public transportations in Istanbul.

You can discover Istanbul on your own if you read a lot and well organized. However, I would suggest to discover with officially registered travel agencies and tour guides in order to be safe and treated in good hands. There are various options that you may go. You can participate Istanbul group tours or you can customize Istanbul tour with reliable travel agencies. So, lets start to discover the best places to visit in Istanbul.

1. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, a historical building of millions of years, has witnessed many nations and religions. It is still visited by many nations today. The Hagia Sophia has been the symbol of cosmopolitanism, cultural and historical diversity since the Ottoman times and it is one of the most important places to visit in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia was used as the Imperial Church of Eastern Rome in the past. It has been frequently destroyed by rebellions, wars and natural disasters throughout history. Hagia Sophia suffered one of the greatest destructions when the city was invaded during the 4th Crusade in 1204. The Crusaders looted Hagia Sophia along with the entire city. During the Latin occupation in Istanbul from 1204 to 1261, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a cathedral affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque with the conquest and served as a mosque for 481 years. It was closed to the public with the start of restoration work in the 1930s. Hagia Sophia has stayed just a museum since 1934. It is also serving as mosque since 2020 (1).

2. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in the world. The use of blue colored Iznik tiles in its interior adds a different beauty to this magnificent structure. It is also known as the “Blue Mosque” because of this beauty. The large courtyard of the mosque and its white pulpit from the period it was built are worth seeing. When you enter the mosque, you will be amazed with the Iznik tiles of the dome decorations. These decorations still exist today as the most beautiful examples of Ottoman culture. It is located on At Meydani Caddesi in Sultanahmet District across from Hagia Sophia. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a masterpiece built in the 17th century with the architectural understanding of Mimar Sinan. (2)

3. Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square is one of the must-see places in Istanbul. It is one of the first places that comes to mind all over the world when Istanbul is mentioned. Located in the district of Fatih, this square was used as a hippodrome during the Roman and Byzantine Empires. In the east of the square, there is the Blue Mosque which extends in the northeast-southwest direction. The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and the İbrahim Pasha Palace are located in the west of the square. You can visit Knitted Obelisk, Serpent Column, Theodosius Obelisk, and the German Fountain in the middle of the wide two-way walkways closed to traffic.

4. Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is located in one of the oldest historical districts of Istanbul. Located on the historical Istanbul Peninsula between the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the palace is one of the iconic structures of Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was established on an area of 700,000 square meters on the East Roman acropolis in Sarayburnu. It served as administrative, educational and artistic center of the empire for about four hundred years until the 31st Ottoman sultan, Sultan Abdulmecid. It also served as the residence of the sultans. Topkapı Palace was abandoned after the dynasty and the Sultans moved to Dolmabahçe Palace from the middle of the 19th century. The palace has preserved its historical importance and value throughout the history. (3) Now, Topkapi Palace is serving as comprehensive museum which reflects the root of Ottoman traditions and culture.

5. Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most important symbols of Istanbul. It is considered as the glorious palaces of Istanbul, which has a beautiful view of Bosphorus from the European side. Dolmabahçe Palace consists of parts that are divided into various purposes. The main structure extends parallel to the sea along the coast. Among these structures, Sultan II. Abdulhamid (1876-1909) added clock tower and the movement pavilions in the backyard of the Crown Department. The main structure consists of two normal floors as Bodrum and Musandıra floors. It is divided into three sections functionally. “Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn” (Selamlık) is the government’s management works are carried out. “Harem-i Hümâyûn” (Harem) belongs to the private life of the sultan and his family. The “examination hall reserved for the important state ceremonies of the sultan. With 285 rooms, 44 halls, 68 toilets and 6 baths, the palace is the largest palace in Turkey as a mono block building built on an area of 14.595 m². (4)

6. Basilica Cistern

Another historical and cultural stop is the Basilica Cistern, called also Yerebatan. Basilica Cistern is one of the most important cultural assets in which we can trace the magnificent Istanbul history. Built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I (527-565), this large underground cistern has marble columns rising from the water and seen as numerous. According to written sources, the water obtained from waterways and rain distributed to the large palace and surrounding buildings where the emperors lived and met the water needs of the city for hundreds of years. Medusa head has been discovered as the most important symbol of Yerebatan The Medusa was used as a column base  located in the west of the structure and the east stands horizontally. Medusa is one of the most special examples of Roman sculpture art and encountered intense interest of visitors. According to a legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgons, the female monster of the underground world in Greek mythology. Snake Medusa from these three sisters has the power to turn the ministers into stones. According to mythology, Medusa was a girl who boasted her black eyes, long hair and her beautiful body. Medusa loved Perseus, the son of Zeus. Meanwhile, Athena loved Perseus and was jealous of Medusa. That’s why Athena turns Medusa’s hair into a snake. Perseus cuts Medusa’s head and defeated many enemies by taking advantage of his power. (5)

7. Istanbul Archeology Museums

The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is among the world’s largest museums with more than one million works of various cultures. It is the oldest building of Turkey built as a museum. It was founded in 1869. Istanbul Archaeological Museums collects their first museum activities in Turkey. It was an institution inherited from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey. In fact, the traces of the curiosity of gathering historical artifacts in the Ottoman Empire can be followed from the period of Fatih Sultan Mehmed. The Archeology Museum consists of three main sections as the Museum of Old Oriental Works and the Tiled Pavilion Museum. The oldest building in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum Museums Complex is the tiled mansion. (6)

8. Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest bazaar and the oldest closed bazaars in the center of Beyazıt, Nuruosmaniye and Mercan in the center of Istanbul. There are about 4,000 shops in the Grand Bazaar. In 2014, it was ranked 1st with 91,250,000 visitors among the most visited tourist places in the world. The Grand Bazaar is often referred to as the world’s first shopping center. Hand carpets and jewelery are the best examples of traditional Turkish art. They are sold with quality and origin documents and guaranteed reference to all parts of the world. There are different famous Turkish works made of carpets, jewelery,  silver, copper, bronze gifts, decorative goods, ceramics, onyxes and leather. It refreshes the memories of Turkey form a rich collection. Western writers have allocated a large space for the Grand Bazaar in their travelogue and memories.

9. Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque was built by Mimar Sinan in Istanbul between 1551-1557 on behalf of Suleiman the Magnificent. It is described as the work of the journeyman of Mimar Sinan. It was built as a part of the Suleymaniye Complex consisting of madrasahs, library, hospital, sibyan school, baths, imaret, preparation, and shops. If you come across the Süleymaniye Mosque during the sunset, you will be amazed with beautiful view of Istanbul.

10. Taksim Istiklal Street

Istiklal Street is one of the most important and most known streets in Istanbul Beyoğlu, reaches Taksim Square, 1.4 km long. It is a very important place cultural, historical and social. The street has been home to many series and films from the past to the present, but it has many favorite art galleries, museums and historical buildings. The ‘St. Antuan Catholic Church’ built in 1752 in Istiklal Street is a must -see church. Terra Sainte, Crimean and Santa Maria Draperis churches are among the other churches on Istiklal Street. Flower, Anzavur, Syria, Krepen and Aleppo passages are also ongoing and cultural texture. Taksim Mosque, located in Taksim Square, is an architectural and cultural mosque worth seeing. To taste the street flavors of Istiklal Street among this historical cultural ride; Don’t forget to stop by wet hamburger and patisseries that have worked for many years! You can walk along the street and reach to Galata Tower.

11. Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace is one of the most magnificent palaces of Istanbul with its European Baroque style architecture and oriental texture. It is located in Beylerbeyi with a beautiful view of the Bosphorus. Beylerbeyi Palace used to be a summer palace of sultans. It was especially used to host foreign state guests such as Austria-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph (1869), French Empress Eugénie (1869), Montenegro Prince Nikola (1874) and German Emperor II. Wilhelm. Sultan II. Abdulhamid spent the last six years of his life here and passed away in 1918 in this palace. The interior architect of the palace is similar to the Turkish House plan in terms of its usage characteristics. You can see various Western styles which are fused with eastern styles. There is also a café serving for visitors in a palace courtyard. (7)

12. Fethi Pasha Grove

Fethipaşa is a natural park facing the sea in the Paşalimanı region of Üsküdar district of Istanbul. It is among the neighborhoods of Kuzguncuk and Sultantepe. It was named by Fethi Ahmet Pasha was one of the Ottoman viziers. There is a palace in it and it was built in 1858 by Fethi Ahmet Pasha. The famous writer and sociologist Cemil Meriç also resided in this place. Fethipasa is a wonderful stop to take a break in the nature of the city. You can have a beautiful breakfast in nature with a unique Bosphorus view.

 

13. Pierre Loti Hill

Pierre Loti Hill takes its name from the French writer Pierre Loti. He had been this hill and wrote some of his popular pieces from here. There is a popular cafe serving traditional Turkish tea and coffee. It is very nice place to stop by and relax to  drink coffee against the unique Golden Horn view and to watch Istanbul while drinking coffee. There is a cable car from Eyup to Pierre Loti Hill. You can also drive up to the hill.

Ready to Visit the Best Places in Istanbul?

Istanbul has several comprehensive wide -content travel routes to visit. In this travel blog, I just provided must see places in Istanbul. If you ever visit Istanbul, I would strongly suggest to cover the most famous spots in Istanbul listed above. If you don`t have time to cover all, then you can start the most beautiful places from the beginning and try to cover as much as you can. The order of the best places to visit in Istanbul is arranged in a way to have a smooth tour flow in order to save time. Of course, there are different best places to visit in Istanbul than we listed here in this blog. If you have more time, you can also discover more places. I just come up with a list of destinations which are considered as the best places to visit in Istanbul in this travel blog. You can also read more about best places to visit in Istanbul and Turkey.

 

SOURCES FOR THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL

1. Hagia Sophia Mosque “Hagia Sophia Mosque” access: 17.03.2023, https://www.ayasofyacamii.gov.tr/tr/ayasofya-tarihi
2. Fatih District Governorate “Sultanahmet Mosque” access: 13.03.2023, http://www.fatih.gov.tr/sultan-ahmed-camii
3. Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Presidency of National Palaces “Topkapi Palace” access: 18.03.2023, https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/saray-kosk-ve-kasirlar/topkapi-sarayi
4. Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Presidency of National Palaces “Dolmabahçe Palace” access: 06.03.2023, https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/saray-kosk-ve-kasirlar/dolmabahce-sarayi
5. Basilica Cistern “Basilica Cistern Museum” access: 06.03.2023, https://yerebatan.com/yerebatan/hakkimizda/
6. T.C. Governorship of Istanbul “Museums of Istanbul: Istanbul Archaeological Museums” access: 07.03.2023, http://istanbul.gov.tr/istanbulun-muzeleri-istanbul-arkeoloji-muzeleri#:~:text=History%20Yar%C4%B1mada in%20G%C3%BClhane%20Park%C4%B1,%20%C3%BC%C3%A7%20ana%20b%C3%B6l%C3%BCMm%20ol%C5%9Fum.
7. Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Presidency of National Palaces “Beylerbeyi Palace” access: 06.03.2023, https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/saray-kosk-ve-kasirlar/beylerbeyi-sarayi