Best Places To Visit In Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey, is a tourist destination that thrills travelers. In this historical city nestled on the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, Europe and Asia collide.

Istanbul has a unique combination of modern and old architecture, landmarks, and cultural attractions that make it one of the greatest cities in the world to visit and explore.

Istanbul will keep you in perpetual astonishment as you explore the well-known and bustling city bazaars, drink traditional tea, and take in some of the most famous landmarks in the world.

This blog will introduce you to some of the best places to visit in Istanbul. 

What Are The Best Places To Visit In Istanbul?

The tourist attractions in Istanbul are pretty stunning. Visitors can enjoy some fantastic sites and attractions in Istanbul. Of course, it would only be possible to include some top Istanbul attractions. Still, you can find some of the most interesting, must-see attractions below.

Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahce Palace is a regal building constructed in the 1800s by the Sultan (king) of the Empire. It is situated waterside on the edge of the well-known Bosphorus Strait. This beautiful castle, which consists of 16 distinct buildings, is adorned with artwork, sculptures, and antiques like tea sets and Bohemian crystals.

Enter the most famous palace in Turkey and take in its genuine Ottoman features and architecture. Take in the regal marble stone, Hereke rugs, and the spectacular collection of oil paintings as you stroll the well-preserved palace interior.

As you enter the Main Hall, travel back in time as you discover spaces like the secretariat's chambers, the Crystal Staircase, the Red Room, and the Ceremonial Hall. The Imperial Gate, lovely gardens, the Swan and Harem fountains, and the well-known Clock Tower, which rises more than 100 feet tall, can all be seen from the outside.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, arguably Istanbul's most famous structure, has a long religious heritage. It was initially built as a Christian church in the sixth century, and its name means "Holy Wisdom." It has also served as a mosque and is currently a museum.

As you explore this stunning example of medieval architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site, take in the delicate mosaic tiles that cover the inside. As you discover the fascinating heritage of one of the top sites to visit in the world, embrace the mysterious atmosphere of the enormous shrine.

The building's distinctive dome may be seen from any part of the city, although it is best appreciated while admiring the Istanbul skyline from a rooftop at dusk. Hagia Sophia is the best place to visit in Istanbul, which should be noted.

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, also referred to as the Sultanahmet Mosque, is one of Istanbul's top tourist attractions and one of the most well-known landmarks in the entire country. Built in the 1600s, this important historical structure mixes Islamic and Byzantine architectural styles.

Both the beautiful outside and the complex inside will amaze you. More than 20,000 individually made ceramic tiles cover the walls. The Blue Mosque's interior is enchanted and mysterious because the more than 200 stained glass windows give dramatic illumination. Spend time in the courtyard plaza, where you can enjoy great people-watching.

The Grand Bazaar

Get lost in the Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous markets in the world. Explore the maze-like passageways with vibrant vendors offering ethnic art, handicrafts, and items to best prepare for sensory overload. The bustling atmosphere enhanced by the sights, sounds, and scents of the market is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You may find excellent Turkish goods, including spices, jewelry, antiques, pottery, lamps, towels, and carpets, as you explore the items of more than 4,000 sellers.

When purchasing souvenirs, be comfortable negotiating with the store owners to get a better deal. Here in the Grand Bazaar, it is encouraged and joyful.

In the cafés and food stands of the Grand Bazaar, take a break from your shopping and have a genuine cup of Turkish coffee or tea.

The Spice Market

Visit the Spice Market, or Egyptian Bazaar, one of Istanbul's top markets, to learn more about Turkish cuisine. This market, close to the New Mosque, looks at the vibrant and exotic spices utilized in Turkey's mouthwatering cuisine.

The ambiance will pull you in as you feast your eyes on a wide variety of brilliant colors, breathe in the rich spice fragrances, and try some classic flavors. Try to identify unusual ingredients like saffron, sumac, and Nar Ekşisi, a famous pomegranate syrup in Turkish cooking.

Enjoy lokum, sometimes Turkish delight, to satisfy your sweet taste. If you want to bring anything back, look for nuts, dried fruit, and souvenirs.

Sultanahmet Square

Since the Byzantine era, this ancient hippodrome and public area in the heart of the old city has served as a meeting spot. Explore the past of this famous meeting place as you go through the still-standing monument ruins.

You will nearly be able to imagine the exciting activities in the plaza, envisioning the well-known chariot and horse racing events for which it was renowned.

Features include the Walled Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the seven Statues of Porphyrius, which were erected in recognition of a renowned charioteer from the sixth century. The 16th-century German Fountain at the other end is well worth a visit.

Sultanahmet Square is the most beautiful part of Istanbul that you should visit.

Old Town

Explore Istanbul's Old Town or Historical Peninsula to travel back in time. The Old Town is one of the most beautiful places in Istanbul that you should not miss. In the oldest portion of the city, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to various landmarks and important historical sites.

Mosques, Ottoman palaces, baths, and Byzantine cathedrals are just a few of the beautiful attractions one may find when exploring this area of the city that is rich in culture. In a city where modern-day life is thriving against a backdrop of live history, take in the architectural styles from former civilizations that formerly held sway.

Take a stroll along Constantinople's historical Roman-era walls. Pass the Church of St. Saviour and the Ottoman Mihrimah mosque. Galata Bridge is a well-liked location for pictures, especially around dusk. The domed skyline will take your breath away as sunset hues produce a real-life postcard.

Galata Tower

Enjoy panoramic views of Istanbul from the top of the medieval-era Galata Tower, a stone tower. You might even see the Princes Islands on a clear day. With its nearly 200-foot height, this recognizable landmark ensures a breathtaking city view.

Investigate the tower's past, including its use as a watchtower, jail, naval storage, and monitoring point to detect fires in the city in the future. Learn about the tale of Hezarfen Ahmet Elebi, a 14th-century aviator who is reputed to have used homemade artificial wings to fly across the Bosphorus from the tower.

Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace, an important historical site with a significant cultural museum, is situated in Istanbul's old town. Over several centuries, the palace was governed by the rule of about 30 sultans. The combination of patterns with ornamental components from European, Islamic, and Ottoman styles reflects this.

Watch a stunning variety of displays featuring items from the Ottoman Empire, including books and manuscripts. Take in the magnificent views of the Marmara Sea, the Golden Horn, and the Bosphorus while strolling around the expansive outer courtyard and lovely gardens on the royal grounds.

The Golden Horn

Famous for protecting the Greek, Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine Empires, this protected harbor is a favorite place to experience the city's bustle. The inlet gets its name because it looks like a horn from above. The "golden" part of its name will become apparent when the sunsets and the waterside is bathed in dusk's hues.

A ferry boat trip to this water body is the most excellent way to experience it. As you float along, imagine the port as the city's commercial hub in ancient times. This is a fantastic method to capture images of and take in some of Istanbul's outstanding tourist attractions.

Basilica Cistern

Investigate the ethereal realm that lies under Istanbul by going underground. A well-liked site that offers an unparalleled view of the city's past is the Basilica Cistern. Learn about Istanbul's greatest historic cistern that once sat beneath the Stoa Basilica, a sizable public space, as you take a trip back to the 6th century.

This fascinating underground chamber features 336 old columns that have been recycled from other structures and temples as you meander along wooden paths in a place that formerly served to retain more than 20,000 square feet of water. In addition, the Basilica Cistern has served as the setting for several famous movies.

Rumeli Castle

Admire the fortress from the 15th century that formerly guarded the Bosphorus at the strait's narrowest point. The building, which is made up of several towers of various proportions, was constructed by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II.

Imagine the events over the castle's 600-year history as you allow yourself to be taken back in time. You will be astounded to learn that this substantial building was constructed in just four months. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the city and the Bosphorus while visiting the hilltop area.

The Chora Church

This ancient Greek Orthodox Church, also known as the Kariye Mosque, is a well-liked tourist destination in Istanbul because of its elaborate murals and mosaics. The Erdinekapı region is where this location is located in the western part of the city.

Admire the Byzantine-era artwork that decorates this former church's interior. You will be in awe of the intricate artistry from the sixth century. The stunning pieces of art displayed here may be appreciated by anybody.

Galata Bridge

The Galata Bridge, which spans the length of the Golden Horn, is one of Istanbul's most well-known structures and has been depicted in innumerable dramas, poetry, paintings, and books. It connects the city center to the location of the imperial palace and other significant buildings, including Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It is the fifth bridge to exist in the exact location.

The bridge, which fishermen surround, provides lovely views of the nearby waterways. There are stores, eateries, and nargile cafés nearby. Galata Bridge is a lively spot to be at virtually any time of the day, with seagulls screeching overhead, boats moving below, and the spires of mosques visible atop the surrounding hills.

Taksim Square

Taksim Square, a vast and bustling square in modern Istanbul, is surrounded by many stores, restaurants, hotels, and historical landmarks. It is a well-liked tourist destination and essential transit hub and holds many public events, including parades and protests.

It includes one of the few surviving green spaces in the neighborhood and the spectacular Republic Monument, which is backed by the enormous, majestic, and modern Taksim Mosque. A picturesque vintage tram line also meanders through Taksim, bordered by the multipurpose Ataturk Cultural Center, which organizes operas, plays, and concerts in addition to its numerous restaurants.

İstiklal Caddesi (İstiklal Avenue)

İstiklal Avenue is a pedestrian-only shopping avenue that connects Taksim Square to Galata Tower. As it is as popular with people as it is with visitors, you will come into contact with the true day-to-day life of Istanbul here. You can find all the brands' stores on this avenue and enjoy shopping. İstiklal Avenue is the best place to visit in Istanbul at night.

Visit the Galata Mevlevi Museum to enjoy a performance of the renowned Whirling Dervish Dance. Whirling Dervishes are Islam's Sufi order. It was established by a Persian poet in the 13th century and is renowned for its vibrant dancing.

The avenue is close to the Istanbul Modern Art Museum if you enjoy art.

Suleymaniye Mosque

According to visitors, the Suleymaniye Mosque's beauty and tranquility inspire them to feel more spiritual. The mosque was established by Sultan Suleyman the Great in 1550 and is situated on Istanbul's Third Hill. The mosque is stunning, fusing the most fantastic Islamic and Byzantine design elements.

Over the years, the mosque had sustained significant damage, particularly during World War I when a fire broke out while the grounds were being utilized as a storage facility for armaments. Midway through the 20th century, it was repaired. The mosque is identifiable by its four minarets, which show that a sultan constructed it. The dome was the tallest in the Ottoman Empire when it was constructed.

Kız Kulesi

The historic watchtower of Kız Kulesi, located on a small islet near the southern entrance to the Bosphorus Strait, is a stunning structure. Turkish for "Maiden's Tower," it boasts an observation deck and a restaurant with stunning views of Istanbul.

Surprisingly, the Athenians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all built towers on the island for almost 2,500-year history. It has served as a watchtower, lighthouse, and quarantine station and has even appeared in several movies, including Hitman and The World is Not Enough.

Gulhane Park

Gülhane, one of Istanbul's biggest and most stunning parks, is next to the city's central tourist spot, Topkapi Palace. Once solely available to the royal court, its lovely grounds and gardens are a joy, and the park offers beautiful scenery and heavenly views of the Bosphorus.

Popular with locals and visitors, its leafy pathways lead you past stunning flower beds and fountains with scattered lush green spaces and tree groves. Additionally, it houses the Sublime Porte, a stunning rococo gate that previously opened to the palace's farthest courtyard, and the Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam.

Miniatürk

More than 100 elaborate, precise, and realistic scale models of well-known sites and locations from Turkey and beyond may be found at Miniatürk, which has been open since 2003. It is a terrific location to learn about significant places you might not have known about before and obtain a general picture of the nation. Miniatürk is one of the largest miniature theme parks in the world, with open and enclosed spaces and rivers spread across 60,000 square meters (160,000 square feet). It is a fantastic spot to take the kids for a couple of hours and is likely to catch the imagination of individuals of all ages.

Istanbul Park

Istanbul, formerly known as Vialand, is a thrilling theme park featuring attractions for all ages. There are many rides, both fast and slow, large and small. The large retail center, which has more than 100 businesses offering a variety of goods and is set out across open-air and enclosed shopping lanes, contributes to the diversity.

An indoor zoo featuring a variety of Istanbul attractions, a movie theater, and a modern sports complex are all located within the retail center. A good assortment of food and beverage establishments may be found inside the mall and the theme park. The park is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul with family, friends, and couples.

Büyükada

The largest of the Princes' Islands, a series of islands in the Sea of Marmara, is Büyükada. The island, which is around five square kilometers (two square miles) in size, is simple to tour on foot or by bicycle. On the island, there are no motorized vehicles other than service vehicles. The island is home to various attractions, including historic religious structures, wealthy houses, and two hills with stunning views.

Take the ferry to Büyükada, where you may spend the day exploring the island's noteworthy attractions. See the enormous Prinkipo Greek Orthodox Orphanage, one of the world's most significant wooden structures, perched on a hill. Climb the opposite slope to access the charming Agia Yorgi Church and enjoy the breathtaking views. View the Agios Nikolaos Church and Monastery there while you explore the valley between the two hills.

Bottom Line

A luxury vacation is a terrific way to discover Istanbul's top attractions if you are prepared to travel to a location brimming with history and culture. On an Istanbul trip, there is a wealth of experiences, from historical sites and breathtaking skyline views to exciting market excursions and medieval strongholds.