Top 10 Visiting Attractions in Istanbul, Turkey: An Ultimate Guide

Situated between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city of two continents. An ancient melting pot that has hosted cultures worldwide for millennia, it’s a vibrant contemporary metropolis with many distinct districts. 

The center of both the Ottoman Empire and Turkey today, Istanbul is bordered by water on three sides: the Black Sea to the north, the Bosphorus Strait to the northwest, and the Golden Horn to the west, but one thing remains true: Istanbul is one of the World’s most-visited tourist destinations. 

We have listed the best places to visit in Istanbul for sightseeing and recreation. 

1- Topkapi Palace

 

In the heart of Istanbul’s old city, Topkapi Palace was built as a residence for its Sultans. The palace was used as an administrative center for the sultans and where they would receive guests. 

The palace complex consists of four big courtyards and many buildings. Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years until it was moved to the Dolmabahce Palace in the mid 19th century. 

2- Hagia Sophia Museum 

 

Hagia Sophia, Hagia Sophia, Hagia Sophia… It’s not just a beautiful tourist attraction in Istanbul but also a working mosque and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. 

It’s a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, then a museum, now a mosque, and a World Heritage site. The current building was constructed by Emperor Justinian I after the original building burned down.  

The mosque is a religious monument, but it is also a historical and cultural site that holds a lot of meaning for many people across the globe. It is the second-largest church in the World after the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City. 

3- Blue Mosque 

 

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque for its blue Iznik (Nicea) tiles, dominates the skyline of Istanbul. It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I.  

Today it is a popular tourist attraction and one of the architectural masterpieces of the World. 

The mosque has six minarets, one central dome, and four semi-domes. Its interior design and decoration are breathtaking. The mosque’s entrance resembles a castle, with its high walls, minarets, and portals. 

4- Basilica Cistern 

 

Cisterns are the most exciting part of Istanbul. Cisterns were used to provide water to buildings in case of a siege. They were also used for storing water and keeping vegetables fresh. 

The Basilica Cistern is one of the largest cisterns in the World, with a capacity of 100,000 cubic meters. It was built in 532 AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I as part of his plan to renovate the city. It is supported by 336 marble columns, and its walls have several holes in them so that some light comes through. 

It extends to a depth of 53 meters and covers an area of 4000 square meters. 

5- Dolmabahce Palace 

 

Dolmabahçe Palace is one of the most important palaces in Turkey, located right on the shore of the Bosphorus. It was built in mid 19th century and served as a residence for the monarchs until the abolition of the sultanate in 1922. It has now been converted into a museum. 

The palace was built in the neoclassical style on the shore of the Bosphorus to replace Old Topkapı Palace by Sultan Abdulmejit I. The construction of Dolmabahçe Palace started in 1843 and was completed in 1856. 

The structure is organized around an inner courtyard, covering approximately 1,400 m2 (15,000 sq ft). This inner courtyard contains a marble pool, fountains, and orange trees. 

The palace complex has 400 rooms and 200 bathrooms. 

 

6- Ancient Roman Hippodrome 

 

The Hippodrome of Constantinople was begun in the early 200s by Septimus Severus and completed in the late 300s.  

The stadium-like building was decorated with statues representing emperors, gods, animals, and heroes. This was the center of Byzantine public life, where people would gather to watch chariot races and celebrate with festivals. 

However, it also often became a site of conflict between different political parties. After the crusaders sacked the city in 1204, Hippodrome never gained its former glory. 

Today, only a tiny portion of the Hippodrome remains. The pedestrian park now sits on the site, and it is home to several monuments. 

7- Grand Bazaar 

 

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the World’s oldest market. It is a vast network of vaulted covered streets lined with shops and stalls selling various Turkish souvenirs. 

It receives more than a quarter-million visitors a day. It features jewelry, carpets, leather products, ceramics, and antiques. The different trades are still mostly separated into particular sections in Grand Bazaar. This makes it easy to find what you’re looking for without much difficulty. 

8- Istanbul Archaeology Museum 

 

The Istanbul Archaeological Museums feature more than one million antiquities in three buildings – the Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. 

The museum is home to artifacts found in the ancient cities of Anatolian Civilizations. Artifacts include Islamic coins, three sarcophagi, a tomb monument that dates to the first century AD, and more. 

One of the most impressive artifacts in the museum is the First Peace Treaty of the World! It was signed in 1258 BCE between the Hittite King Hattusili III and Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II. 

9- Suleymaniye Mosque 

 

This mosque is one of the most distinguished landmarks in Istanbul. It sits high on a hill above Sultanahmet. It is the second-highest point in Istanbul after the Galata Tower. 

It was built for Suleiman the Magnificent by the famous Turkish architect Sinan between 1550 and 1557. Visitors to the Suleymaniye Mosque say its beauty and peacefulness give them an inspiring sense of spirituality. 

Various decorative tiles adorn the walls and the ceilings, tiling that is found nowhere else in the World. The designs reflect Islamic art as well as Turkish culture and history.  

10- Spice Market

 

The Spice Market is located in Eminonu, and it has very different scents and spices. The smells of cinnamon, pepper, and ginger make your mouth water. Here, you can buy saffron, thyme, cardamon, paprika, or mint leaves.  

A trip to Istanbul wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Spice Market. It is a great place to shop for souvenirs and taste some local confections like Turkish Delight (Lokum) and baklava. 

Istanbul has so much to offer in terms of tourist attractions that you could spend weeks exploring this beautiful city. To help you plan your trip, we’ve created the most popular tours on our website. 

For more information on our tours, please contact us here. We hope this blog has been helpful, and you can make it here soon!