Istanbul attractions

The Aqua Florya Shopping Center (Aqua Florya Alisveris Merkezi) combines shopping and entertainment under one state-of-the-art roof. Housing more than 140 shops, the center also is is home to the Istanbul Aquarium, a multiplex cinema, arcade, numerous restaurants, an outdoor amphitheater, and exhibition and event spaces.

Learn more about Turkey's (officially the Republic of Türkiye) chocolate production at Istanbul’s Pelit Chocolate Museum, a must for chocolate lovers visiting the city. With a history dating back to 1957, the Pelit Chocolate Factory is home to Turkey’s first chocolate museum, filled with spectacular chocolate sculptures.

Located in the coastal neighborhood of Tarabya, Istanbul’s Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum is a mecca for vintage-car enthusiasts. Housed in a 21,528-square-foot (2,000-square-meter) space, the private museum features over 60 classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles from 1920 to 1970, complete with retro music, decoration, and ambience.

Istanbul’s Church of St. Mary of the Spring (Balikli Kilise), aka the Zoodochos Pege, is an Eastern Orthodox shrine originally built in the sixth century near a holy well. The current structure dates to 1835, after the Ottomans destroyed the original. The shrine is an important pilgrimage site that thousands visit annually.

For the ultimate Turkish bath experience, head to the 16th-century Hurrem Sultan Hamami in Istanbul’s historic center. Designed by iconic Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, this perfectly preserved bathhouse enables you to enjoy a variety of centuries-old rejuvenation traditions in one of Istanbul’s most historic buildings.

Located in two 19th-century mansions on the northern European shore of Istanbul, the Sadberk Hanim Museum houses a wide collection of ceramics, coins, tiles, and art from different time periods. The museum also hosts rotating temporary exhibitions on subjects as diverse as early photography and archaeological digs.

Built in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmet I, the ornate Aynalikavak Palace (Aynalıkavak Kasrı) served as royal hunting grounds. Today, the regal pavilion is an oasis of calm in the middle of bustling Istanbul and functions as a preserved museum. It’s decorated with mirrors and luxurious furniture showcasing the Ottoman-era palace style.