Things to do in Istanbul

Activities, attractions and tours

A cityscape with a prominent tower, a river, and a bridge.
A mosque with multiple minarets and domes, surrounded by a coastal cityscape and the sea.
An aerial view of a coastal town with a harbor, boats, and a mountainous backdrop.
A cityscape with a bridge, a river, and a seagull flying overhead.
A grand classical building with a green roof, situated by a waterfront.

Things to do

Bosphorus Explorer: 3-Hour Cruise with Asian Side Visit

Bosphorus Explorer: 2-Hour Cruise Throughout the Day

RM47
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Bosphorus Explorer: 2-Hour Cruise Throughout the Day
Bosphorus Morning Cruise with Asia Stop

Bosphorus Cruise 2-3 Hour Cruises with Optional Asia Stop & Meal

RM47
per adult
Bosphorus Cruise 2-3 Hour Cruises with Optional Asia Stop & Meal
Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket and Audio Guide

RM272
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket and Audio Guide
Picture 1 for Activity Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

RM43
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option
Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition

Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition

RM131
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition
Istanbul: Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers

Istanbul: Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers

RM85
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Princes’ Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers
Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Guide and Asian Side Stop

Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Guide and Asian Side Stop

RM236
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Guide and Asian Side Stop
Istanbul: Sapanca Tour, Cable Car, Quad, & Zipline

Istanbul: Sapanca Tour, Cable Car, Quad, & Zipline

RM90
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Sapanca Tour, Cable Car, Quad, & Zipline
Istanbul: Zipline Adventure with Bosphorus View

Istanbul: Zipline Adventure with Bosphorus View

RM83
per adult
Istanbul: Zipline Adventure with Bosphorus View
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Top places to visit

1. Hagia Sophia

Known as “Ayasofa” (Sacred Wisdom) in Turkish, the Hagia Sofia started out as a church, becoming a cathedral under the Byzantine empire. Later it would become a mosque, and most recently a museum and monument that is hugely valued by the people of Turkey.
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A historic mosque with a large central dome and two minarets, surrounded by trees and a reflective pool.

2. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is a prominent part of view of the Istanbul skyline. Constructed under Sultan Ahmed I, it was finished in 1616. Its designer's vision was to display the Islamic faith central to the Ottoman Empire in this massive site of worship.
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A large mosque with multiple domes and minarets.

3. Galata Tower

At just under 67 metres in height, Galata Tower was the tallest building in the city when built in 1348. It was constructed as the heart of the fortifications of the Genovese colony in Constantinople at that time, and was named the 'Tower of Christ'. Later, it became a lookout tower for fires in the 18th century, and was indeed seriously damaged by fire in both the 18th and 19th centuries. The most recent significant refurbishment took place during the 1960s, and the tower has been open to visitors since then.
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A cityscape with a prominent tower, a river with boats, and a mix of historic and modern buildings.

4. Grand Bazaar

Originally opened in the mid-15th century by Sultan Mehmet II as a site for textile trading, the Grand Bazaar continues to offer everything from pottery and tiles to spices and brassware, as well as belly-dancing clothes, pipes, ashtrays, and much more. It used to be that each street had a craft, and while this isn't strictly the case any longer, there are areas of the bazaar where you'll be able to compare your craft of choice side by side with lots of others.
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A market with colorful hanging lanterns and a Turkish flag.

5. Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace covers over 70 hectares at the place where the city was founded, and is surrounded by more than five kilometres of walls. Despite being a 15th-century building, it is excellently preserved, and was opened to the public in 1924 by Kemal Ataturk, the 'Father of the Turks'.
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A historic building with a prominent tower and dome, surrounded by trees and other structures.

What to do in Istanbul

Stay near popular Istanbul attractions

A statue of a soldier holding a flag, with a building in the background.

Taksim Square

8.8/10 (27,914 reviews)
You can learn about the local history of Istanbul during your trip to a well-known site such as Taksim Square. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its fascinating museums.
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Where to stay in Istanbul

Find the best Istanbul areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A fountain with water jets in a circular pool, a mosque with multiple minarets, and palm trees in the foreground.

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Hagia Sophia to Sultanahmet Square – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A horse-drawn carriage on a street with white buildings and trees.
Photo by Sergio Camalich
Open Photo by Sergio Camalich

Büyükada

A red tram with the number 115 on a busy street.

Taksim

Enjoy the popular shops in Taksim. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Taksim Station or Findikli Station to see more of Istanbul.

A historic building with a large reflection in the water, a boat in the foreground, and a partly cloudy sky.

Kadıköy

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Kadıköy. Spend some time visiting top spots like Bosphorus, and catch the metro at Bahariye Station or Acibadem Station to see more of the area.

A grand neoclassical building with ornate columns and a symmetrical facade, surrounded by manicured gardens and a clear blue sky.

Beşiktaş

Spend some time visiting places like Bosphorus while getting to know Beşiktaş, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Nispetiye Station or Etiler Station to see more of the area.

A coastal cityscape with a prominent mosque, a bridge, and a bustling harbor.

Istanbul

A coastal area with a pier, rocky shoreline, and a distant ship.

Silivri

A large suspension bridge spanning a deep blue body of water, with a clear sky in the background.

Gebze

A coastal cityscape with a prominent ship docked at a pier, surrounded by dense urban development and a backdrop of hills.

Tuzla

A stone bridge with multiple arches over a calm river.

Corlu

A coastal landscape with a lighthouse, rocky cliffs, and a clear blue sky.

Şile

An aerial view of a coastal town with a harbor, boats, and a mountainous backdrop.

Adalar

A large suspension bridge spanning a calm body of water with a cityscape in the background.

Korfez