Things to Do in Istanbul

There are 3 attractions in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, massive domed church-turned-mosque with byzantine mosaics, is the most popular.

Most Popular By Name

All Religious Sites 82 Castles & Palaces 20 Museums 16 Monuments & Memorials 12 Islands 10 Archaeological Sites 9 Plazas & Squares 8 Historic Buildings 7 Parks & Reserves 5 Stadiums & Sports 5 Towers & Lighthouses 4 Amusement Parks 4 Lakes 3 Theaters 2 Markets & Bazaars 2 Rivers & Waterways 1

Hagia Sophia

Massive domed church-turned-mosque with Byzantine mosaics

Church

Topkapı Palace

Former Ottoman imperial palace and museum in Istanbul

Palace

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Historic covered market offering crafts and spices

Market

Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Historic Ottoman imperial mosque with blue İznik tiles

Mosque

Basilica Cistern

Underground Byzantine water reservoir supported by columns

Palace

Galata Tower

Medieval Genoese tower overlooking Istanbul's skyline

Tower

Dolmabahçe Palace

Ottoman imperial palace blending European and Turkish styles

Palace

Maiden's Tower

Small islet tower with Ottoman-era history on Bosphorus

Building

Spice Bazaar

Historic covered market selling spices and local goods

Market

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

Complex of museums housing vast ancient Near Eastern collections

Museum

Istanbul Railway Museum

Small museum preserving Turkey's historic locomotives and rolling stock

Museum

Pera Museum

Istanbul museum of Orientalist art and rotating exhibitions

Museum

Byzantium

Ancient city that became Constantinople and later Istanbul

Archaeological Site

Rams Park

Istanbul football stadium hosting Süper Lig matches

Stadium

Süleymaniye Mosque

Ottoman imperial mosque complex in Istanbul with courtyards

Mosque

Princes' Islands

Car-free Istanbul islands known for historic villas

Islands

Golden Horn

Historic natural harbor dividing Istanbul's peninsula

Lake

Bosphorus Bridge

Suspension bridge linking Istanbul's European and Asian sides

Building

Sublime Porte

Historic Ottoman government complex and metonym for administration

Monument

Taksim Square

Central Istanbul public square and transportation hub

Square

Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge

Suspension-cable hybrid bridge spanning the Bosphorus in Istanbul

Building

Atatürk Olympic Stadium

Turkey's largest stadium, Istanbul Olympic venue

Stadium

Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium

Istanbul football stadium and home of Fenerbahçe SK

Stadium

Chalcedon

Ancient port city opposite Byzantium with historical ruins

Archaeological Site