Istanbul Travel Guide: The 15 Best Things To Do In Istanbul Turkey
As a bridge between Europe and Asia, a place where East meets West and cultures have coexisted for centuries, Istanbul has been described as a place where cultures have coexisted for centuries. Its endlessly fascinating contradictions, however, are not known to everyone. If there is one city that can truly claim the title of being the gateway to both Europe and Asia, it’s Istanbul.
Take a look at the best things to do in Istanbul to get a full sense of the city’s stories and cultures.
1. Hagia Sophia
Visiting Hagia Sophia, a magnificent Byzantine basilica, gives you a sense of history. As one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, this cathedral has a soaring dome, a huge nave, and glittering gold mosaics. It was built by Justinian in the 6th century, and is one of the city’s most intriguing time capsules because of its fascinating history as a church, mosque, and museum. As one of Turkey’s greatest treasures, it was looted by marauding Crusaders in the 13th century, stormed by Ottoman invaders during the Conquest in 1453, and converted into a museum in 1935.
Non-worshippers are forbidden from entering the Hagia Sophia during the five daily prayer times, women must cover their heads, and all visitors must remove their shoes before entering the inner narthex. Despite carpets covering much of the marble floors, retractable screens shielding mosaics, and an unreachable upper gallery, the building’s historic grandeur remains unmatched.
2. Topkapi Palace
Istanbul’s Old City’s opulent Ottoman Topkapi Palace complex occupied the promontory and contains the secrets of the seraglio. Between 1465 and 1830, here lived a series of mad, sad and downright bad sultans, whose extravagant relics of folly, intrigue, excess, patronage, diplomacy and war are everywhere you look. The stunning Imperial Treasury, impressive Imperial Council Chamber, and picturesque Marble Terrace are among the highlights.
3. Grand Bazaar
Istanbul’s historic peninsula is home to many shopping destinations, including the colorful and chaotic Grand Bazaar, which is the most famous one. Follow the steady stream of local shoppers downhill into Tahtakale’s bustling shopping precinct, which boasts the seductively scented Spice Bazaar at its hub after exploring its labyrinthine lanes and hidden caravanserais. Head back up to the Blue Mosque, and you might find a lasting memento of your trip in the Arasta (an arcade-style Ottoman bazaar).
4. Ride Istanbul’s Ferries
There is no better way to experience Istanbul than by boarding one of its famous flotilla of ferries. It is hard to beat a commuter ferry between Asia and Europe, but the Bosphorus tourist ferries from Eminönü to the mouth of the Black Sea are even better, offering passengers a chance to see palaces, parks, and timber mansions on both Asian and European coasts. No matter if you choose a long or short cruise, you are sure to have a memorable time.
5. Revel in Instanbul’s Nightlife
Despite Istanbul’s nightlife scene suffering some setbacks, it remains one of the world’s best party towns. You won’t find a better place to spend a traditional night out than one of the Beyoğlu district’s Meyhanes, tavern-like restaurants that serve meze and fish while singing along to classic songs over rakı, an anise-flavored liquor. There is a lively crowd of youths drinking beer at the pubs in the Beşiktaş Çarşı and central Kadıköy, while the swankier set is sipping cocktails at the bars near the Bosphorus in Bebek and Arnavutköy. Enjoy some late-night street food with your fellow revelers for the full Istanbul experience.
6. Contemporary Art
The Beyoğlu district has long been a hub for art-lovers, which is anchored by high-profile cultural institutions like Istanbul Modern, Pera Museum, SALT Beyoğlu and Yapı Kredi Kültür Sanat. It is scattered with galleries and museums on and around İstiklal Caddesi, and increasingly in the adjacent Karaköy, Tophane and Dolapdere neighborhoods as well. Well-established commercial galleries in stately apartment buildings also cluster among the chic boutiques of the Nişantaşı neighborhood, while hip Kadıköy has an up-and-coming independent art scene of its own.
7. Visit a Bath House
A semi-naked stroll through a 16th-century Ottoman monument isn’t something you have the chance to do very often in life. Istanbul’s world-famous Hamams provide just that: the chance to soak up history, architecture, warm water, and soap suds all at the same time. Having a Hamam treatment gives a fascinating insight into Ottoman life and customs after pounding the city’s pavements all day. You can surrender to the steam at baths on both sides of the Galata Bridge: the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı in Tophane and the Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı in Sultanahmet are particularly stunning and luxurious.
8. Discover Kadiköy
It is a pleasure to ride a ferry across the Bosphorus, and the Asian-side neighborhood of Kadiköy is becoming a destination on its own, with hip cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques. Visit the Turkish rock giant’s museum, find street art murals in the backstreets, or stroll the waterfront with ice cream in hand while exploring the colorful produce market. From the shoreline, you can see some of the most spectacular sunsets in the city.
9. Sample the flavors of Istanbul
The Istanbullus love to eat more than anything else, and food is much more than fuel for their bodies. It’s more of a celebration of community. The meal is unfurled with great ceremony – it is joyful, boisterous, and almost always communal. Unlike any museum collection in the country, the national cuisine has been refined over centuries. Turkish food isn’t fussy, since its rustic and honest roots make it stand out from other national dishes. You will eat simple meze dishes, austere Kebaps, unstructured salads, and unsauced seafood. Because ingredients are used in season, it will explode in your mouth with flavors.
10. Süleymaniye Mosque
As part of the old city’s seven hills, this 16th-century mosque was commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Süleyman I, known as “the Magnificent.” The view here is stunning. You can see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn waterways confluence, as well as the suburbs of Istanbul. Mimar Sinan is considered one of the greatest architects of all time because of the mosque’s elegant symmetry and soaring interior. An inviting and serene complex surrounds it, with tall trees, a grassy lawn and a rose-studded cemetery.
11. Basilica Cistern
The Byzantine emperors didn’t take any shortcuts when building something. Located opposite Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern features a wildly atmospheric forest of columns (336 in total), vaulted brick ceilings, mysterious Medusa capitals, and ghostly carp patrols. It has appeared in numerous motion pictures and is now one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions thanks to the Byzantines’ ambitious town planning and engineering skills.
12. Blue Mosque
It is officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, a monument to the 17th-century Ottoman ruler Ahmed I, but is more commonly known as the Blue Mosque because of the colorful tiles that adorn the interior. There are six minarets on this building (an unprecedented number for a mosque at the time of construction), giving it the look of a building meant to impress, rivaling the Hagia Sophia mosque, which is located across a landscaped square.
13. Dolmabahçe Palace
Almost 10,000 pounds in weight, the crystal chandelier hanging over the Ceremonial Hall of Dolmabahçe Palace exemplifies the opulence of the royal residence commissioned by Sultan Abdül Mecit I in the mid-19th century. With ceilings covered in thousands of pounds of gold, marble floors, crystal banisters, and bearskin rugs, it is a glorious mix of styles and materials. Both the decor and the views of the Bosphorus are stunning.
14. Galata Tower
One of Istanbul’s top attractions, the Galata Tower, is located across the Galata Bridge crossing the Bay of Istanbul. You can take tours up its observation deck to see the city overlooking the Bosphorus from the North Bank of the Golden Horn. Istanbul’s best view of the Bosphorus can be found here, and you shouldn’t miss it.
It is an ideal vantage point to see Old Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the Galata Tower. It was used as a watchtower for city fires until the 1960s, but today tourists can walk around its balcony near the top of the 67 meter tall tower. While you explore the bustling markets and shops of Taksim and Galata neighborhoods, you’ll learn about the Galata Tower, Tunnel Square (the second oldest metro in the world), and Dervish Lodge.
15. Let your feet be your guide
A visitor to Istanbul could spend months exploring its marvelous sights, but it’s also worth exploring its myriad neighborhoods. Despite its sprawl, the city’s central districts are walkable and reward wandering, with lively street life and distinct identities. A walk through Fener and Balat’s historical lanes will take you past film crews and Instagram influencers; a glass of hot tea with the Golden Horn view at the Pierre Loti Café overlooking the leafy cemeteries of Eyüp; or watching fishermen cast their lines from Arnavutköy, a village on the Bosphorus.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Istanbul stands as a timeless testament to the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures spanning centuries. This city, where East meets West, unfolds its rich tapestry through iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Navigating the Bosphorus on ferries reveals the splendor of palaces and mansions adorning both continents. Istanbul’s vibrant nightlife, contemporary art scene, historic bathhouses, and the burgeoning charm of Kadiköy add modern dimensions to its ancient allure. Culinary delights, epitomized by the city’s love for communal feasting, offer a taste of Turkey’s authentic flavors.
From the grandeur of the Blue Mosque to the opulence of Dolmabahçe Palace and the panoramic views from the Galata Tower, Istanbul unfolds as a living museum of history and architectural marvels. Beyond the must-see attractions, the city’s neighborhoods beckon exploration, each with its unique character and stories waiting to be discovered. Istanbul, a city where history and modernity seamlessly converge, invites visitors to let their feet guide them through its enchanting streets, promising a journey filled with cultural richness and captivating experiences.
