Turkey enchants visitors with luxury beach resorts and beautiful nature, but Istanbul remains one of the country's great pearls. There is a great deal to see and experience in this historic city. We show you 30 Istanbul attractions you should not miss.
Istanbul sights – cultural life
If you are interested in history, you will certainly appreciate the following Istanbul attractions – Topkapi Palace, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Hagia Sophia / Ayasofya /. Topkapi Palace dates from the Ottoman period and served as a residence for the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Among other things, visitors can see a large collection of jewelry. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque. Hagia Sophia was built as an Orthodox church and later converted into a mosque under Sultan Mehmed. It later became a museum. Other notable attractions with great historical significance include the Ahrida Synagogue, the Chora Church and the Basilica Cistern, also known as the Sunken Palace, with its beautiful interior. The Walls of Constantinople were among the strongest fortifications of their time and are still worth seeing.
Istanbul sights – shopping and city tours
Additional points of interest in Istanbul include the centuries-old Grand Bazaar, which now houses thousands of shops selling jewelry, ceramics, furniture, carpets, leather goods, souvenirs and antiques. The Egyptian Bazaar offers exotic spices, fruit and nuts. If you are tired after shopping, take a walk along Istiklal Street or enjoy a boat trip on the Bosphorus. Istanbul also has many public baths, known as hamams, where visitors can relax. In the afternoon, you can visit Taksim Square and enjoy dinner near Galata Tower. A cultural program, such as a dervish ceremony, can be the perfect end to the day. Below you will also find several ideas for modern art museums worth visiting.
Istanbul sights to enjoy with children
You may know the Maiden's Tower from the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. It is worth relaxing in the cafe inside the tower. The Istanbul Aquarium and Dolphinarium will delight children, and Yildiz Park is a good place for a family picnic where children can play safely. For more inspiration and tips, see the photo gallery below.
Galata Tower in Istanbul
The Walls of Constantinople
Fatih Mosque
Istiklal Street
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Galata Tower
Dervish Ceremony
The Sunken Palace
Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu restaurant
Hamam – bathhouse
Museum of Modern Art
Naval Museum
The Olympic Stadium
Park in Istanbul
Dervish ceremony
Peter Dark
Anna Lohan
Theresa V. Adams
miranda_shida
