Why have we decided to share the article ” The Top Istanbul Attractions” with you?
Firstly, Istanbul is a magical arrangement of two continents. Secondly, the biggest and most famous Turkish city is a modern and ancient melting pot.
Top Istanbul attractions
Its stunning oriental outline (ancient palaces, bazaars, and mosques) will bring you directly to the fairytale world of Thousand and One Night. You can even try to rub an old lamp in one of its bazaars, and one of your wishes may come true.
We will not dive much into its glorious history. However, once you get through Istanbul’s top attraction, you might feel why it is so popular. And ultimately, despite all of its sights, the one thing we loved the most was getting lost in the maze of ancient streets full of chatty people.
Note: We advise you to buy The Istanbul Tourist Pass because you will save some money and skip many lines.
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1. Hagia Sofia
The first one on our list is Hagia Sofia, Istanbul’s major tourist attraction, with lots of history. That’s why we recommend a guided tour. Furthermore, this magnificent church is arguably the most copied sacral building in history and certainly one of the most prominent architectural achievements. That’s why it was inscribed in the UNESCO heritage list.
It was built in the 6th century AD by Bisantinyan emperor Justinian after the previous church was burnt down in the Nika riots. For thousands of years, it was the most prominent Christian cathedral in the world. In 1453, however, it was turned into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. Because Muslims didn’t destroy the old mosaics, just covered them, one can still admire them today.
2. Topkaki saray (palace)
Topkapi Palace is the 2nd attraction on our list, a majestic oriental palace and one of the world’s richest museums. It is situated on a triangular peninsula overlooking the Bosphorus & Golden Horn. More importantly, it was the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th century to the mid-19th century. For us, it was the most appealing part of the palace. Its ornamented courtyards and royal rooms will impress you. Finally, do not forget to visit its harem, which is most certainly one of The Top Istanbul Attractions.
3. Galata tower
Galata Tower, topped with a distinctive witch’s roof, is one of Istanbul’s most impressive and famous landmarks. More importantly, the medieval tower overlooks the Historical Peninsula, Golden Horn, and Bosphorus through Princes’.
It has a massive cone-shaped structure, built by Genovese in the 14th century, that rises 62 meters above its base. On the top floor is an observatory deck with a 360-degree view of Istanbul.
Tips:
- The Galata or Karakoy neighborhood is the best area to stay in because it is lively, charming, and close to all the major sights. If you wish, you can find some suitable apartments here.
- We strongly recommend visiting this Istanbul attraction. So you can buy an Istanbul Tourist Pass or a ticket here.
4. Fener & Balat
Full of colorful old buildings, exquisite churches, and synagogues, the winding cobbled streets of Fener & Balat are a joy to explore. Lying alongside the Golden Horn on the European side of Istanbul, the two historic neighborhoods are increasingly popular with visitors due to their scenic streets and lovely atmosphere.
Once home to large Greek and Jewish populations, the neighborhoods have many historic sites, such as the outstanding Phanar Greek Orthodox College, Ahrida Synagogue, and Bulgarian Iron Church. Aside from taking in all the attractive architecture, you can also stop by its excellent local restaurants, cafes, shops, and bazaars. The feeling is truly unique. The rainbow-colored area below the Greek Cathedral has recently become an Instagram hit, so you should visit it.
Tip: There are many colored places in the city. Unfortunately, when you leave the center, you will discover that many people don’t speak English. So, you will have trouble finding this rainbow-colored Instagram spot. When you try to see it, ask where the Cathedral of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate is. Local would know where it is. But if you wish to stay in this area, check out some great deals here.
5. Blue Mosque
Built between 1609 and 1616, the Blue Mosque is a building of immense historical value. To this day, it functions as an active house of worship. Its official name is Sultan Ahmed mosque. Due to its lavishly decorated interior, it’s one of Istanbul’s best-known attractions, and a visit is highly recommended.
6. Try the Turkish Bath & Hamam experience.
Turkish baths, or hammams in Turkey, are an essential part of Turkish culture that has been around since the 16th century. The hammams in Istanbul are the top Turkish bath experiences, and they will refresh you after your first (or fifth) visit.
Today, the hammam culture has mostly stayed the same in Turkey. Most hammams in Istanbul have different sections or hours of the day for men and women and follow traditional hammam rituals. Most hammams in Istanbul offer 45 minutes of washing, classic body scrubbing with a handwoven washcloth (kese), a foam wash, and a massage.
Note: You can book tickets to your personal Turkish Bath Experience here.
7. Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the city’s most impressive and mystical buildings. The two Medusa Heads, which are used as supports under the two columns at the northwest edge of the cistern, take the most interest and attract visitors.
We highly recommend you visit and see all these three museums (that is, Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern Museum) simultaneously. It would take about 3 hours in total. And it would be best if you got Skip-the-line ticket sets to save yourself from the long queues.
8. Enjoy the lively atmosphere at Istiklal Street and Taksim Square.
Istiklal Street is the city’s most famous street and entertainment area. It is a long, colorful pedestrian street full of shops, restaurants, cafes, and street shows. And the same goes for Taksim Square, one of the most prominent squares.
You can visit the fantastic Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, St. Anthony of Padua Church, and the Pera Museum.
Between strolling Istiklal Street and enjoying the lively atmosphere, you can have lunch/dinner/snack in one of the lovely restaurants.
9. Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show
Cruising the Bosphorus at night is one of the most memorable experiences in Istanbul. The city’s bright lights, iconic Maiden’s Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge will create a magical experience for you! Bosphorus, the pearl of Istanbul, will amaze you while you enjoy the excellent sea ambiance!
The Bosphorus Dinner Cruise will be one of your favorite attractions during your Istanbul trip. You will enjoy a fantastic dinner. After dinner, you will taste the perfect Turkish coffee and enjoy traditional music next to the Bosphorus Bridge with the city lights!
For us, it was one of the most memorable experiences. That’s why we strongly recommend it. Ultimately, it is also included in the Istanbul pass. That’s why we advise buying it online before going to the city. You can also book the ticket to a separate tour here.
10. Go shopping!
Istanbul is Turkey’s culture and fashion capital and offers numerous shopping opportunities. Like all the world’s vast metropolia, travelers can easily find every world brand in the shopping malls and the districts of Istanbul.
More importantly, Istanbul has everything for every budget and style. From popular outdoor markets, bazaars, carpet & kilim workshops, copper working shops, and antique and handicraft shops to designer shops, traditional shops, modern department stores, tattoo shops, wedding dress boutiques, and immense shopping centers, shopping is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
Insider tip: Ask locals for the best insider experience.
11. Visit Grand Bazaar and other Bazaars
Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is a shopping adventure you won’t want to miss. Covering an area of 47,000 m2, it is an almost 600-year-old covered market and one of the largest and oldest covered markets. A series of streets feature over 4,000 merchants selling their products and wares.
You can find anything here, from the finest silky shawls and scarves in traditional patterns to traditional items, from antiques, leather goods, and ceramics to famous carpets, spices, and beautiful handicrafts to gold and jewelry.
Insider tip: Around Grand Bazar are smaller markets offering similar products but lower prices. One of the most incredible experiences was buying the spices.
12. Enjoy the Turkish breakfast.
If you’re looking for a taste of the local culture, start with breakfast in Turkey. Traditional Turkish breakfast is known for its abundance, with delicious and hearty dishes that kickstart your day. It can include several breakfast foods, such as olives, cheese, eggs with bread, and Turkish tea.
With access to natural, local ingredients, Turkish breakfast has much to offer the hungry traveler. That’s why we highly recommend the breakfast experience. You namely will remember it.
13. Enjoy the nightlife
Nightlife in Istanbul is outstanding. So much as Istanbul is rich in history, cultural heritage, and financial capacity, alluring nightlife complements the city. Entertainment in Istanbul revolves around many of the entertainment venues that the city has to offer.
Nightlife in Istanbul has come alive in recent years, and the locals will all tell you that the nightlife spreads out in all directions throughout the city. With its numerous little bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants, you can easily spend the night bouncing from one venue to the next in Istanbul.
Some of the best clubs are around Istiklal Street. So if you are staying in the center or Karakoy/Galata area, you can reach them on foot. However, locals swear that Ortakoy is the best area for clubbing and dining out. Of course, it is. Locals should know what they are talking about.
Top Istanbul Attractions – Final words
We hope you have enjoyed our list of Istanbul’s top attractions. We must confess Istanbul is a truly magical city. Full of friendly people, exciting places, delicious food, and so on. And that’s why we truly enjoyed our visit there. We hope to visit it one more time in the future. So, how did you like the city? Please share your impressions with us in the comments below.
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Featured photo: Getty Images/National Geographic