15 places you must see in Istanbul
The top 3 according to 3 votes from people: Hagia Sophia · Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) · Dolmabahçe Palace. (Updated Jan 8, 2025.)
From the historic peninsula to the Bosphorus, the places most recommended by travel guides and visitor reviews.
Automatically translated (original in Türkçe). See the original
Top 15
-
1
Hagia Sophia
Byzantine basilica completed in 537; used again as a mosque since 2020.
-
2
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Six-minaret mosque from 1616 decorated with over 20,000 İznik tiles.
-
3
Dolmabahçe Palace
19th-century palace on the Bosphorus where Atatürk died in 1938.
-
4
Topkapı Palace
Home of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years, with the Harem and the Sacred Relics.
-
5
Grand Bazaar
One of the world's oldest covered markets, with over 60 streets and thousands of shops.
-
6
Basilica Cistern
Byzantine cistern with 336 columns, famous for its Medusa-head column bases.
-
7
Galata Tower
14th-century Genoese tower whose terrace overlooks the Golden Horn and the old city.
-
8
Bosphorus cruise
Ferries from Eminönü passing Dolmabahçe, Rumeli Fortress and the waterfront mansions.
-
9
Süleymaniye Mosque
Mimar Sinan's mosque completed in 1557, with Golden Horn views from its courtyard.
-
10
İstiklal Avenue and Taksim
Pedestrian avenue from Taksim to Tünel, travelled by the nostalgic tram.
-
11
Spice Bazaar
17th-century spice market in Eminönü.
-
12
Kariye Mosque (Chora)
Building famous for its 14th-century Byzantine mosaics and frescoes; reopened as a mosque in 2024.
-
13
Balat and Fener
Historic Golden Horn neighbourhoods of colourful houses, churches and cafés.
-
14
Büyükada
The largest of the Princes' Islands, with historic mansions and the Church of St George.
-
15
Ortaköy
Waterfront square known for the Ortaköy Mosque beneath the Bosphorus Bridge and its kumpir stalls.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 15… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
-
16
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
The first Ottoman museum, home to the Alexander Sarcophagus.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (8)
Eylülde gittim, Süleymaniye'den gün batımı muhteşemdi.
Boğaz turunu şehir hatları vapuruyla yapın, hem ucuz hem çok keyifli.
Yerebatan Sarnıcı'ndaki Medusa başları çok etkileyici, restorasyondan sonra daha da güzel olmuş.
Ayasofya'nın birinci olması tartışılmaz. Ama Süleymaniye'nin avlusundan Haliç manzarası bence daha güzel.
Amazing city. The Galata Tower queue was long but the view at sunset was worth it.
Balat'ın renkli evleri fotoğraf için harika, ama sabah erken gidin.
Kariye'yi tekrar camiye çevirdiler, mozaiklerin bir kısmı artık kapalı, haberiniz olsun.
Kapalıçarşı'da pazarlık yapmayı unutmayın 😄