Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is also known as the ‘city of mosques’ as it’s home to a whopping total of 3,113 mosques. And interestingly, it’s the only city in the world that’s half in Asia and half in Europe.
Istanbul is one of the most impressive cities I’ve been to – I’d best describe it as an open-air museum. It’s so historic – and the detail and architecture of the mosques here truly is jaw-dropping. It’s also one of the most-visited cities in the world, with over 17 million tourists coming to tick off the city’s amazing sights every year!
We love visiting Istanbul (we’ve been here a couple of times now), and below you’ll find a list of what we know to be the top attractions in Istanbul!
📌Istanbul Fast Facts:
- Where to stay: We stayed at Kadikoy Otel, smack bang in the middle of the lively Kadikoy action. It was very reasonably priced and tastefully decorated.
- How long: We advise spending at least 3 days in Istanbul.
- Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY).
- Airport: There are two large international airports in Istanbul – Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). Istanbul Airport is one of the largest airports in the world and serves as a major hub for international travel. While, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport primarily handles domestic flights and low-cost carriers.
- Best month to visit: April and May is a good time to visit as the city is alive with blooming tulips, and the weather is mild and pleasant. We also like visiting in September and October when the summer crowds have gone, and the temperatures are still comfortably warm.
- What to pack: The plug type used in Istanbul is Type C and Type F. And I wore my Teva Hurricane Sandals most of the time here; they are so comfortable and have sturdy soles. And I lived in my Sweaty Betty modal wide leg pants here. I also advise packing a shawl to cover your shoulders for the mosques.
- Top Istanbul Tip: I highly recommend purchasing an Istanbul City Mega Pass. This gives you digital tickets and queue-free access to heaps of sites in the city, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and more! The classic pass costs from 129 euros (which is a huge saving considering what you’d pay for all the individual tickets for these attractions!)
Top Istanbul Attractions
1. Hagia Sophia
- Price €25 per person / Free for Muslim visitors who want to pray
- How long to spend: 1-2 hours
Despite being a major tourist attraction, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Hagia Sophia. It’s one of the world’s most beautiful mosques, and its shining star is the grand dome, which is a huge 107 feet wide!
Would you believe that the Hagia Sophia was a cathedral before it became a mosque? Yes, it’s true, and it was ordered to be built by Emperor Justinian in the year 537 AD. It wasn’t converted to a mosque for another 1,000 years.
It’s well worth going inside. We were lucky because we didn’t have to queue at all – this was at 9 am – so I’d say that’s a good time to visit. We spent over an hour inside the Hagia Sophia staring at the beautiful, intricate mosaics and giant pillars.
2. The Blue Mosque
- Price: Free to enter (but donations are welcome)
- How long to spend: 1 hour
Opposite the Hagia Sophia, you’ll find the Blue Mosque (aka the Sultan Ahmed Mosque). It’s renowned for its hand-painted tiles and stained glass windows. It gets its name because it’s bathed in blue light when night falls.
This famed mosque is believed to have been constructed between 1609 and 1617 and is instantly recognizable on Istanbul’s skyline thanks to its large dome surrounded by four smaller semi-domes.
Please note, for both the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, you will need to dress modestly – shoulders and knees should be covered.
3. Basilica Cistern
- Price: From 900 Turkish Liras (around €20) during the day. 1,400 Liras at night.
- How long to spend: 1 hour
A short walk from the Hagia Sophia is the Basilica Cistern (pretty much a large water tank). It’s the biggest of hundreds of cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul’s streets. It’s a mesmerizing experience, and you can walk across the wooden platform as water drops on you from the very high ceilings above.
Interestingly, the cistern boasts 336 columns, many of which were saved from ruined temples.
The Basilica Cistern has been featured in many Hollywood movies, such as From Russia with Love (a James Bond movie) and Inferno (starring Tom Hanks).
These are the most-booked tours in Istanbul:
4. Grand Bazaar
- Price: Free to enter!
- How long to spend: 1 – 2 hours
Get lost in the narrow twists and turns of Istanbul’s most famous shopping area – the Grand Bazaar. It’s a haven of trinkets and everything you don’t really need but will probably buy anyway.
Would you believe there are over 4,000 stalls here – spread over 61 streets? As I said, you can literally buy everything here.
It remains one of the most-visited attractions in the city and attracts around 400,000 visitors every day! That’s why I recommend getting here when they open at 8:30 am to avoid the crowds.
5. Spice Bazaar
- Price: Free to enter!
- How long to spend: 1 hour
Just a 10-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar is the Spice Bazaar, sometimes known as the Egyptian Bazaar. There are around 85 stores to be found in the narrow aisles of the marke,t and all sell a variety of spices, teas, dried fruits, and other traditional Turkish treats.
Although we didn’t buy anything here, we were tempted because it smelled so good.
6. Yeni Camii (New Mosque)
- Price: Free to enter!
- How long to spend: 1 hour
New Mosque (aka Yeni Camii) is located next door to the Spice Bazaar. It boasts 66 domes and semi-domes and is so photogenic. It also has a gorgeous inner courtyard (where we snapped lots of selfies!)
7. Galata Bridge
This ‘continent-connector’ connects to the lively Karakoy neighborhood on the other side. As you walk along, take in the stunning views of the Bosphorus Sea and watch out for local fishermen casting their lines into the water.
You may not realize it, as you’ll be engrossed in the sea views as you walk, but the Galata Bridge is two stories tall – the upper level has 8 lanes of traffic, and it’s where you need to walk to get the best views.
On the lower level, you’ll find a long line of vibrant Cafes and restaurants. Speaking of which, if you’re hungry, we recommend grabbing food at Galata Sanat Restaurant or Beyaz Inci Restaurant.
8. Galata Tower
- Price: €30
Galata Tower remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and it stands tall at 63 meters. As you can guess, from this prime vantage point you’ll have one of the best views of Istanbul.
However, it is incredibly popular, and when we visited, there was a huge line. Therefore, we advise getting here late in the day (after 5 pm if possible). The Galata Tower stays open until 7 pm.
Because the queue was so long, we actually skipped visiting the tower on our first visit to Istanbul. And headed to Galata Konak Cafe nearby, which offers a similar view of the city.
9. Taksim Square
Not too far from the Galata Tower (under a 30-minute walk) – Taksim Square is a hive of activity. And the best time to visit here is in the evening. That’s because it’s known as one of the best places to party in Istanbul!
It comes alive at night, and the place is just buzzing with energy. There are heaps of bars and nightclubs here.
10. Balat Neighborhood
- Price: Free!
- Best way to get here from the city: A 20-minute cab ride
One of the most Instagram-famous neighborhoods in Istanbul is Balat – a quirky, colorful neighborhood on the European side. It’s quite literally a rainbow of color, and if you didn’t come here with a smile, you’ll definitely leave with one. Dare I say, Balat is one of my favorite parts of Istanbul.
The homes here are Ottoman-era houses that are painted all different colors, and the narrow alleyways, cute cafes, and lovely courtyards here all really captured my imagination. Balat really does look like a curated Instagram feed come to life!
If you love taking photos like me, then you’ll love it here. I will say that Balat is really growing in popularity, so if you want to snap some photos without anyone in it, aim to get here early in the morning. We got here at 8:30 am, and it was so quiet!
11. Suleymaniye Mosque
- Price: Free to enter, donations are appreciated
- How long to spend: 1 hour
The Suleymaniye Mosque – one of the largest mosques in the city, with a central dome that stands at an impressive 47 meters in height!
Suleyman I (known as Suleyman the Magnificent) is buried here, as is his wife and son. And because this mosque is atop a hill, the views from here are glorious!
12. Topkapi Palace
- Price: 2,400 Turkish Lira (around €55)
- How long to spend: 2-3 hours
A 30-minute walk away is Topkapi Palace, which is famously home to the wow-worthy Treasury of the Sultan. It is a mosque/museum that features a huge display of weapons and clothing from the Ottoman Era. The Treasury of the Sultan is what most tourists come to see, and it’s here you can see hundreds of silver and gold shields and belts that royalty once wore.
While you’re here, be sure to check out Gülhane Park nearby its flowery paths are lovely to walk through and snap photos.
13. Dolmabahçe Palace
- Price: From 450 Turkish Lira (around €10)
- How long to spend here: 1 – 2 hours
Later in the afternoon, we recommend heading back over to the Asian side of the city to see one of Istanbul’s most beautiful buildings. To me, Dolmabahçe Palace looks like it belongs in Lake Como as it’s so opulent but luckily for you, it’s right here along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait.
Built in 1856, the largest palace in Turkey has no less than 285 rooms, 6 bathrooms, and 46 halls. It has served as the home for 6 sultans, and you’ll see examples of Ottoman, Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo architecture on the interior and exterior. Inside, you can also see the world’s largest Bohemian chandelier.
14. Beşiktaş Square
Close to the Dolmabahçe Palace is the lively Beşiktaş Square – the perfect spot for dinner in Istanbul. For dinner, we suggest heading to Summit Bar and Terrace, which not only has great food but also one of the best rooftop terraces in the whole city
In the evenings, the square comes alive with street performers. This vibrant, fun square is a melting pot of cultures!
Where to Stay in Istanbul
- We stayed at Kadikoy Otel, smack bang in the middle of the lively Kadikoy action. It was very reasonably priced and tastefully decorated with beautiful Turkish antique-style furniture. The staff here was also insanely helpful! On check-in, they sit you down with some Turkish tea and give you a really detailed insight into the best things to do in Istanbul. And where not to go too – always helpful from a local.
- If you want to splurge, then the 5-star Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel is a perfect option. It’s located right next to the Kalamis Marina and, as you can guess, is super-luxurious. It boasts no less than three swimming pools, a spa, a gym, and the rooms are spacious and stylish.
- One of the most luxurious hotels in Istanbul is the Four Seasons (pictured above). The rooms here are the epitome of opulence and super spacious, and most come with a view of the Bosphorus. As well as that there are several world-class restaurants and a Spa on-site.
- The Dekalb Hotel is another exceptionally-rated hotel in Kadikoy, it scores an impressive 9.5/10 on booking.com. It’s very ornately decorated. To me, the rooms looked like a museum (I loved it!)
Map of Istanbul and its hotels –
Thanks for Reading!
And there you have it, 14 of the top attractions in Istanbul, it truly is a standout city with lots of beautiful places to see. I hope this blog post has given you lots of inspiration for your visit to my favorite city in Turkey!
Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the below links you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Skyscanner or Cheapoair to find the best flights. It allows you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Travel Sim Card
An eSIM is a great idea if you’re coming to a place for more than a week. As that way, you won’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone. They are so handy and cheap, too. Obviously make sure your phone is compatible with an eSIM first. We recommend Truely as your eSIM provider for Turkey, as Truely is one of the few providers not impacted by Turkey’s BTK eSIM restrictions; many other providers are currently banned in Turkey.
6. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
7. Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flights
You can easily claim compensation for a canceled or delayed flight with the website – AirHelp. You just input your flight details and some personal information, and AirHelp will handle the rest.
Last Updated on November 6, 2025 by snaphappytravel