Things to do & places to visit in Istanbul, Turkiye

A social and geographic confluence where East and West, North and South, religious and secular, ancient and modern all converge in kaleidoscopic display, Istanbul is as vibrant an urban destination as you’ll ever visit on earth. Whatever strikes your fancy, chances are it’s done with vigor in this mega city that’s too expansive – and cultured – to settle upon only one continent to call its home.

Istanbul #1 destination in Turkiye 2023. The average rating score is 4.50 based on 271.7k traveler reviews, of 58 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Istanbul, current date and time: Wednesday, May 01, 2024, 9:35.

Istanbul Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

70°F - 57°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze

Feels like

20%

Chance of rain

60.0 millimeters

Amount

11.7 mph

Wind speed

68%

Humidity

14.4

Daylight length

5:47 AM

Sunrise

8:13 PM

Sunset

57%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (41)

Upcoming events in Istanbul 1

Date	Event	Location	Price	Category
Wed May 08 2024 at 07:00 pm to Fri May 10 2024 at 10:00 pm (GMT+03:00)	Heritage Istanbul	Istanbul	Free	Festivals

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Historic Areas of Istanbul (10.7k reviews)
- As a first time visitor I can’t recommend it enough
Historic Sites

We based ourselves in the historic old town as it was central for just about every attraction, but it’s still worth going on an historic tour with a local guide as the knowledge and history they can impart is invaluable. We found a local guide whom spent the whole day with us for about £50/$65/€60 per person, and it was well worth it. His insight and commentary was enlightening and we learned so much about a city that we thought we knew, but in actual fact knew very little. There is so much history to learn and the sheer number of world standard attractions is impressive. We initially wondered how safe we would be walking around, but in all honesty, we needn’t have worried. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. Between the palaces, mosques, churches, museums and cisterns in the historic area, you are spoiled for choice. We can’t recommend it enough. See more..
5.0 Cagaloglu Hamam (4.351 reviews)
- On Cloud9!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Health Clubs • Hammams & Turkish Baths • Spas

Cagaloglu Hamami (Turkish Bath) was built in 1741 to provide revenue for both the library of Mahmut I, the Ottoman Sultan of the time, in Hagia Sophia Kulliye (social complex) and for Hagia Sophia Mosque. Architectural plans of the bath was designed by Suleyman Aga, the architect of the court, and the bath was built by Abdullah Aga. Before the construction of Cagaloglu Turkish Bath, the palace built by Nevsehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasa stood on the same location. The palace was destroyed by a fire in 1740, and construction of the Cagaloglu Bath started soon after. The bath has both historical and architectural importance as it is the last great Turkish bath constructed before Sultan Mustafa III prohibited the construction of great baths in 1768, due to the increasing water and firewood needs of the city. Cagaloglu Bath is one of the largest double Turkish baths of Istanbul. Baroque style novelties, a rarely seen quality in Ottoman architecture. See more..
5.0 Hurrem Sultan Hamami (3.999 reviews)
- Perfect in every way
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Hammams & Turkish Baths • Spas

Head to the Hurrem Sultan Hamami in the heart of European Istanbul for a tradition Turkish spa treatment. Standing where the ancient public baths of Zeuxippus used to be, the current bathhouse was built in the 16th century on the orders of the Empire’s most powerful woman, Hurrem Sultan. You can choose from a variety of traditional baths and massages to suit your needs, including traditional Hammam rituals and aromatherapy. When you’re feeling completely relaxed and done admiring the bathhouse’s stunning Ottoman architecture, head to the on-site restaurant, which serves a delicious selection of traditional Turkish dishes. – Tripadvisor See more..
5.0 Rahmi M. Koc Museum (1.609 reviews)
- Fantastic
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

The Rahmi M Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry and Communications. Housed in magnificent buildings - themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology - on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft. See more..
5.0 Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum (641 reviews)
- A real gym on the outskirts of Istanbul
Wednesday: Speciality Museums

Classic car museum in an retro environment with 70 cars on display. See more..
5.0 Suleymaniye Cultural Info Center (165 reviews)
- Warmly welcome
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Visitor Centers • Convention Centers

Suleymaniye Cultural Info Center is managed by a group of volunteers who try to provide visitors with necessary knowledge on the Suleymaniye Mosque and Islam. They serve you free tea & coffee along with some free literature on the mosque and Islam. If you are lucky, you can even have a free meal with them. There are daily talks on the mosque and Islam that are free to join. See more..
5.0 Çamlıca Mosque (110 reviews)
- Amazing experience
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Religious Sites

It was a nice experience!) it’s better to plan your visit to catch the sunset) In Jan we visited a museum - for free. Beautiful park next to the mosque. For women I recommend to take socks, cause it was quite cold inside the mosque. See more..
5.0 TURKEY PHOTO TOURS (1 review)
- best photos
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Photography Tours • Archaeology Tours • Day Trips

I would definitely recommend it to those who come to Turkey to take pictures. We went to the best photography spots at the most convenient time. I got a lot of great photos. See more..
5.0 Travelstore (1 review)
- Cappadocia trip (3 days, 2 nights)
Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

Can is amazing at his job and is willing to work with you depending on your wants and needs. He will take time to sit down with you to get to know you and your expectations from your desired destination. From the information he gathers about you and your desires, he helps you make a great plan. He is very professional, detail oriented, and even willing to continue to help once you have booked everything. He very fast at replying to WhatsApp messages and he frequently checks in to make sure everything is going as planned and you’re loving your trip. He is also very good with last minute planning, I told him I wanted to go to Capadoccia, what I wanted to do, and within a few hours he had my hostel, balloon ride, and atv tour booked for the next three days. He makes sure you get the best prices and calls around until he finds what’s best for you and your pocket. He also sends you restaurant and information about the best places to visit in your destination. I’ve had an amazing experience while traveling in Turkey with him and I wouldn’t hesitate to contact him again when I return! Do not miss out on his tours! He cares more about his clients satisfaction than anything else. See more..
5.0 More World Travel (1 review)
- Wonderful day tour of Istanbul
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM City Tours
We enjoyed very much our day tour of Istanbul with Çağla. He was very knowledgeable about the major attractions and I enjoyed chatting with him about the history as well as the current events in Istanbul and Turkey. We felt very safe with Çağla and our driver. We visited a smaller Mosque (Blue Mosque was closed), the Spice Market, the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Roman Hippodrome See more..
4.5 Hagia Sophia Mosque (44.5k reviews)
- Beautiful mosque, visit later in the day!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

This architectural marvel displays 30 million gold tiles throughout its interior, and a wide, flat dome which was a bold engineering feat at the time it was constructed in the 6th century. See more..
4.5 Blue Mosque (34.9k reviews)
- Quarts blue tiles, must see !
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

Built between 1609-1616, this impressive mosque has six minarets. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. The second is: many years ago, ancient sailors who sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea saw the blue colors of the sea reflected in the mosque. See more..
4.5 Basilica Cistern (31.6k reviews)
- Really quite something.
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings

Descend below the streets of Sultanahmet into this majestic underground reservoir which dates back to the 6th century. Also called the Sunken Palace, it is the largest cistern from Istanbul's Byzantine-era still standing, and something that James Bond fans might recognize from the film, 'From Russia with Love'. The underground chamber has over 330 distinctive marble and granite columns believed to have been salvaged from nearby buildings, the most famous being the two Medusa heads. Skip the lines and visit the Sunken Palace and other iconic sights like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace on a tour of Istanbul. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Topkapi Palace (27.8k reviews) from $34.26
- To be a Sultan
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

This lavish palace was the royal residence of the Ottoman empire for almost 400 years. Here, you can peek into the imperial life of the sultans as you wander through the grand courtyards, pavilions and ceremonial rooms that display an impressive collection of artefacts and treasures. With a separate ticket, you can also venture into the Harem—a private world decked with over 400 exquisitely decorated rooms where the sultan shared with his wives, concubines and children. To skip the snaking lines, buy a fast-track ticket or a multi-day Museum Pass, which provides access to the city’s other top sights. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Sultanahmet District (16.7k reviews)
- Lovely to visit, night or day
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas

The old section of Istanbul where you can find many attractions including Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. See more..
4.5 Suleymaniye Mosque (12.6k reviews)
- Beautiful
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

Famed architect Sinan built this majestic structure for one of the greatest rulers of the Ottoman Empire. Although this mosque is less ornate, there are many similarities between it and the Hagia Sophia since the same architect was responsible for both. See more..
4.5 Bosphorus Strait (10.4k reviews)
- Great Way to Explore Istanbul
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water

I was advised by my hotel concierge to take a boat that departs from the area close to the Dolmabahce Palace. The boat tour lasts for nearly two hours and stops in three destinations. You can hop on and off any of the boats free of charge. The cost for this trip was 60 TRY, which is just over £3, and was the best value boat tour I've ever taken. There is so much to see along the shore, palaces, mosques, villas, grand buildings, stunning houses, castles, bridges and private yachts. I departed at 1.45 as I knew the light would be good for both legs of the journey. Unfortunately I can to remember the name of the company, as I paid in cash and disposed of the receipt. I thoroughly recommend this trip, particularly as some companies charge 10 time the price. See more..
4.5 Galata Tower (9.874 reviews)
- Stunning Cityscape at the rooftop
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • History Museums

This historic watchtower, also known as the Galata Kulesi Museum, can be found at the end of Istanbul’s Istiklal shopping street. Today, this museum has exhibition spaces where you can learn about the area's history and admire the iconic architecture of this stone tower. Head up to the observation deck, where you'll be treated to sweeping views of the city and the Bosphorus Strait. It gets busy during sunset though—you can skip the lines with an Istanbul Museum Pass. There are loads of shops and restaurants in the area too—you can explore the tower and the surrounding area on a guided tour of Istanbul. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Dolmabahce Palace (8.042 reviews) from $40.68
- Superb !
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Architectural Buildings

This palace was built in the mid 1800s to replace an earlier structure that was made of wood. The new palace incorporated sixteen separate buildings with stables, a flour mill and a clock tower among them. See more..
4.5 Chora Museum (5.997 reviews)
- Amazing mosaics and frescoes
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Museums • History Museums

The Chora Church (Turkish Kariye Müzesi, Camii yahut Kilisesi — variously the Chora Museum, Mosque or Church) is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Byzantine church. The church is situated in the western, Erdinekapı district of İstanbul. In the 16th century, the church was converted into a mosque by the Ottomon rulers, and it became a secularised museum in 1948. The interior of the building is covered with fine mosaics and frescoes. See more..
4.5 Istanbul Archaeological Museum (4.446 reviews)
- Excellent museum
Spent 2-3 hours History Museums

Besides its importance as the first Turkish museum, it remains one of the world's largest museums with over one million works. Opened to the public in 1891, it houses a collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine artifacts. See more..
4.5 Sultanahmet Square (3.467 reviews)
- A rainy day at Sultanahmet
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Monuments & Statues

The place is a bit touristy but lively. Plan your visit bearing in mind that you have to stand in long queues to enter the religious places. Try to wear simple shoes preferably laceless as you will be required to remove them every time you enter the Masjid. See more..
4.5 Gulhane Park (3.288 reviews)
- Relaxing and Chill
Parks

Best place for relaxing and meditate 1. While it is the oldest and the most expensive public parks in Istanbul, it is also the best park in Istanbul 2. It is not crowded with people at least not in the morning. And you can relax there, absorb fresh air while in the middle of an urban developed city. 3. There is a huge varieties of flowers. If you are a huge fan of flowers, definitely go try out. 4. Anyway, bring a camera and take more pictures, the park is gorgeous. See more..
4.5 Rustem Pasha Mosque (2.241 reviews)
- Tricky to Find - But Worth the Effort
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

One of the smaller mosques in the city, it was built by Rustem Pasa in 1561 and is noted for the very fine tiles covering the interior and exterior walls. See more..
4.5 Bosphorus Bridge (1.898 reviews)
- From Europe to Asia in few minutes
Bridges

The Bosphorus bridge is one of world's iconic bridges. It connects Europe and Asia and therefore is the only one connecting continents. During my numerous visits to this magnificent city I sailed beneath it many times. This time, for the first time I drove it in our rented car. It was an amazing experience. Although it was Sunday afternoon it was congested with traffic. The views of Bosphorus and both sides from it were just amazing (see the pics). TIPS for visit: - you can sail beneath it on many touristic sightseeing boat tours, - If not self driving, take a taxi to the new built Camlica Mosque which is near the bridge on the Asian side (outstanding, read that review), - I don't think it's allowed for pedestrians, so you cannot walk over it. See more..
4.5 Eyup Sultan Mosque (1.851 reviews)
- The Tomb of Abu Ayyub Ansari
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

This mosque stands outside the city walls at the location where Hz Eyyubu El-Ensari, a noted Islamic individual, died in the assault on Constantinople in 670 AD. See more..
4.5 Ortakoy (1.817 reviews)
- Where the Sun meets Sea
Spent 1-2 hours Neighborhoods

Ortakoy is a charming neighborhood by the Bosphorus river in Istanbul. The area has an array of restaurants, bars, and pubs where you can dine while enjoying the picturesque view. You can also treat yourself to some tasty Kumpir (baked potato with toppings) or waffles. Ortakoy also boasts the 19th-century Grand Mecidiye mosque, Ayios Fokas church, a historic hammam, and the ornate Esma Sultan Mansion. After dusk, the district comes alive with its vibrant nightlife. Be sure to catch the sunset here or hop aboard a dinner or sunset cruise to get a unique view of the area. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Miniaturk (1.729 reviews)
- This place is a hidden gem
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Minaturk is just what it sounds like: a mini version of treasures found in Turkey. The park contains 105 models done in 1/25th scale, about half of them from Istanbul and the rest from Anatolia and the Ottoman territories outside of Turkey. See more..
4.5 Kucuk Ayasofya Camii (Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus) (1.173 reviews)
- The most welcoming mosque in Istanbul
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Religious Sites

While Istanbul is known for its large mosques like Hagia Sophia, the smaller ones tend to be well worth a visit as well since they are just as beautiful in their own right. Küçük Ayasofya Camii, also known as Little Hagia Sophia (LHS), is one such mosque. The building was originally built as an Eastern Orthodox church and was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire it remains a mosque today. LHS was built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian early in his reign. Some believe it was built to be a model for Hagia Sophia, hence the name Little Hagia Sophia. The building is located in a quiet neighbourhood in the district of Fatih. It actually isn’t too far of a walk from Sultanahmet. In fact, it is only about a 15-20 minute walk from the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia area so people really have no excuse not to go see it. See more..
4.5 Beyoglu (1.164 reviews)
- Awesome Beyoglu
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Neighborhoods

This neighborhood in the modern section of the city is home to many foreign consulates, and is popular for its restaurants and nightlife. See more..