Istanbul attractions

Istanbul’s bustling waterside neighborhood of Ortaköy buzzes with the energy of bars, restaurants, cafés, and nightclubs. The main sight here is the Ortaköy Mosque (Ortaköy Cami), a 19th-century structure featuring a blend of baroque and neoclassical influences. Behind it, the Bosphorus Bridge looms, connecting the old Istanbul with the new.

Stretched across the Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge (Galata Köprüsü) connects the shores of Istanbul’s historical peninsula with the Karakoy and Galata neighborhoods. Though the presence of the bridge started in 1845, the current structure dates only to 1994. Fishermen line the atmospheric bridge day and night, trying to haul in their daily catch.

Surprisingly for a city split between two continents, Istanbul existed without connecting bridges for most of its existence. After the construction of the Bosphorus Bridge in the 1970s, the second unifying bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, came in 1988. It is part of Istanbul’s O-2 highway and connects the European and Asian sides of the city.

Thank the natural harbor of the Golden Horn (Haliç) for the rise of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The inlet separates Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district from Beyoglu, and is spanned by the Ataturk, Halic, and Galata bridges. An ages-old thoroughfare, ferries ply the Golden Horn to historical neighborhoods including Fener, Balat, and Eyup.

Taksim Square (Taksim Meydani), Istanbul’s main modern hub, is located at the end of the pedestrian thoroughfare Istiklal Avenue (Istiklal Caddesi). A popular meeting place, Taksim Square is anchored by the Monument of the Republic and buzzes with activity day and night. The area historically hosts public celebrations, parades, and demonstrations.

Commissioned by Suleyman the Magnificent and built in the 16th century by the celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) is the largest imperial mosque in Istanbul. Surrounded by a sprawling landscaped courtyard and with a clear view of the Bosphorus Strait, it’s a stunning and active place of worship to visit in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye).

Commissioned in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit, Küçüksu Palace (Küçüksu Kasri) Palace, aka Küçüksu Pavilion (Küçüksu Sarayı), was designed to be a summer palace for Ottoman sultans. The Istanbul palace’s design blends European and Ottoman styles, with an intricate carved exterior, sweeping staircases, and an interior with gilded accents and chandeliers.

Named after the French novelist who wrote his most famous work “Aziyade” in Istanbul; Pierre Loti Hill (Pierre Loti Tepesi is one of the city’s most impressive—and little-visited—viewpoints. Reached by cable car, it’s a popular spot for locals to stroll or enjoy lunch at one of the hilltop cafés.

The Serpent Column, also known as the Delphi Tripod (Yilani Sütun), is a 2,500-year-old bronze work located at the center of Sultanahmet Square, where the Hippodrome of Constantinople once stood. The column was originally part of a sacrificial tripod until the Romans moved to its current location to adorn the horse racing stadium.

Situated at the northern end of the famous hippodrome known as Sultanahmet Square, the German Fountain (also known as the Kaiser William Fountain) was built in 1898 to commemorate the German Emperor’s visit to Istanbul. Designed in a Neo-Byzantine style by a team of German and Italian architects, the fountain survives today as a testament to Germany and Turkey’s longstanding friendship.

A historically Jewish neighborhood in Istanbul, Balat shows off its roots in two major synagogues, which are still standing. Visitors also head to the Byzantine-era Chora Museum, formerly the Chora Church, to see its mosaics and frescoes. The colorful cafes and shops on the lower streets of Balat attract a big afternoon crowd.

Istiklal Street (İstiklal Caddesi) is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in Istanbul’s European Beyoglu district and an essential cultural center. Stretching from Taksim Square to Tunel Square, the bustling street is lined with late–Ottoman-era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from neoclassical to art deco.

Dating back to the 15th century, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi) is the oldest covered market in the world. Home to more than 4,500 vendors, it’s a sensory banquet where you’ll find everything from carpets, beaded bracelets, and silver jewelry to multicolored lanterns, leather goods, ceramics, and belly-dancing outfits. With goods available at all price points, it’s a prime place to shop for souvenirs.

The seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and part of the headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox church, the Patriarchal Church of St. George is known for its lavish gold interior and Byzantine religious icons. Look beyond the unassuming neo-classical facade—constructed in 1836 after fire damage—and you’ll find millennium-old mosaics and the Patriarch’s walnut and mother-of-pearl throne.

Troy is one of the world’s most famous ancient cities, renowned for being the site of the Trojan War, as described by Homer inThe Iliad. Today’s Troy—a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area of ruins and archaeological excavations—contains the remains of multiple settlements, some dating back 5,000 years.

Located right off the bustling pedestrian thoroughfare of Istiklal in the downtown Beyoglu area, Cicek Pasaji is a covered arcade dating back to the 1870s. Built in a luxurious Parisian style, the passage became popular with Russian flower sellers fleeing Bolshevik Russia—hence the blossom-inspired nickname. Today, you’ll find a lively mix of souvenir shops, bars, and upscale restaurants.

The best way to see the sprawling city of Istanbul is from above, and Camlica Hill (Camlica Tepesi) is one of the prime places to take in that view. Located near the Uskudar neighborhood on the city’s Asian side, the hill—which comprises two peaks, Big Camlica and Little Camlica—is home to tea gardens and green lawns that attract local picnickers.

Located north of the Golden Horn and across the Galata Bridge from Istanbul’s vibrant Old City, the European Beyoglu district is the city’s modern center of shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. The area contains various museums, Taksim Square, and Istiklal Street (İstiklal Caddesi), one of the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfares.

The World War I battle on the turquoise coastline of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Gallipoli Peninsula (Gelibolu Yarimadasi) was symbolic for Turks, Australians, and New Zealanders, many of whom trace their national identity to its tragic outcome. Every year on Anzac Day, Australians and New Zealanders flock to the Dardanelles to pay respects to their thousands of fallen countrymen.

The 6th-century Hagia Irene (Aya Irini) was the first church built in Constantinople—and the only one that was not turned into a mosque upon the arrival of the Ottomans. As a result, the original Byzantine architecture still awes. Under its dome and peaked ceilings, the building currently serves as a museum.

Surrounded by the New Mosque, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Bosphorus Strait, Eminӧnü Square (Eminönü Meydani) is one of central Istanbul’s main transit hubs. The tangled side streets that radiate out from the square lead to tucked-away mosques, clothing boutiques, and bazaars. The plaza’s central location means most visitors will spend at least some time here.

Located along the southern end of the Galata Bridge, Eminonu Pier (Eminönü Iskelesi) is a central transportation point for Istanbul’s intercontinental ferries and public Bosphorus cruises. From here, boats head to Kadikoy, Uskudar, and the Princes Islands. To add to the energy, hawkers sell grilled fish sandwiches, roasted chestnuts, and steamed corn by the waterfront

Celebrating the long history of the Turkish military, the Military Museum and Cultural Center Command (Askeri Müze) displays thousands of pieces of military paraphernalia in the First Army Headquarters building. There are weapons from Islamic, Iranian, Caucasian, European, and Turkish periods, and exhibitions about WWI and the Turkish War of Independence.

Tucked away on a terrace above the bustle of the Spice Bazaar, Rustem Pasha Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Camii) is an Istanbul hidden gem. The small space, designed by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, is covered in colorful red and blue Iznik tiles in floral and geometric designs. Some consider it a miniature Blue Mosque without the crowds.

Fringed by mountains and woodland, the waters of Sapanca Lake (Sapanca Gölü pool in northwest Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), just a 1.5-hour drive from Istanbul. With watersports from sailing to kayaking, windsurfing, and wakeboarding, plus bicycle trails, all-terrain vehicle tracks, and even skiing in winter, the area is a favorite active travel destination.

Jutting out of Istanbul’s Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius originated at the Temple of Karnak in the 15th century BC and arrived in Constantinople in AD 390, courtesy of Emperor Theodosius I. The obelisk decorated the ancient Hippodrome’s horse-racing track, which has long since been converted to a public square—but the obelisk remains.

Marking the boundaries of Istanbul’s historical center, the Istanbul City Walls (Walls of Constantinople) still stand on the Old City peninsula. Built in the fourth and fifth centuries, the defensive walls were breached in 1453 when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. Today many sections have been restored and cut through bustling historical neighborhoods.

The Haydarpasa Railway Station (Haydarpasa Gari) is a major transportation hub in the Kadikoy area of Istanbul and a symbolic gate into the city. In addition to being the busiest rail terminal in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), it also has connections to bus and ferry services. Built in a neo-Renaissance German style between 1906 and 1908, it was a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdulhamid II. The terminal was originally designed to be the terminus for the Istanbul-Baghdad and Istanbul-Damascus-Medina railways during the last years of the Ottoman Empire and served as a major rail link between Berlin and Baghdad. Today, it is the departure point for trains to Ankara, Kayseri, Konya, and international, regional, and domestic destinations to the east and south. Please note Haydarpasa Terminal is currently closed for renovation.

Containing more than 1,500 sea and land creatures, the Istanbul Aquarium (Istanbul Akvaryum) has a rich and diverse collection of aquatic life from 16 geographical zones. With interactive exhibitions in English and Turkish, overhead shark tanks, multiple cafés, and a 5D movie theater, there is enough in the aquarium to entertain the family for hours.

Istanbul’s Eyup Sultan Mosque (Eyup Sultan Camii) was built in 1458, only five years after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, and rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. Located on the Golden Horn outside the historical Walls of Constantinople, it was the site of coronations for Ottoman princes throughout the empire’s early era.