The Best Things to Do in Istanbul For Turkey Travelers
Istanbul is an ancient city founded back in 667 BC. It has experienced the rise and decline of several civilizations, was the capital of three empires, and still unites East and West, sprawling on the border of two such different worlds. Let’s look at the best things to do in Istanbul for everyone.
Istanbul is a city where two cultures merge: history and modernity, East and West. What should you see in this ancient city of Turkey to fully immerse yourself in its diversity and uniqueness?
From famous sights to unusual corners, from places that children will like to the city’s surroundings – here you will find everything you need to know for an unforgettable trip.
Let’s learn the best things to do in Istanbul when traveling to Turkey for everyone and stay in touch with the world using the best eSIM for Istanbul during your trip.
The Best Things to Do in Istanbul: Top 20 Places for Travelers
If you have long wanted to discover Turkey and its beautiful and ancient capital Istanbul, then now is the time to do it. In Istanbul, you will find many beautiful and interesting places that will not only impress you with their power and greatness but also inspire you to travel all over Turkey.
1. Bosporus
The Bosporus Strait separates Europe from Asia Minor. Ships of the Black Sea countries pass through it from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea, and then through the Dardanelles to the Aegean Sea. The length of the strait is 30 km, the maximum width is 3.7 km, and the minimum is 700 m. The Bosporus passes about 40,000 ships per year. Istanbul stands on both sides of the strait, its districts are connected by ferry crossings, three automobile bridges, and two tunnels. One of them is a railway one. In the coastal quarters of the Bosporus, there are historical attractions — ancient fortresses, temples, parks, and palaces. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
2. Blue Mosque
The majestic Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet Mosque, was built in the first half of the XVII century. The marble walls are decorated with traditional Islamic blue tiles with floral ornaments. Instead of four minarets, the temple is surrounded by six towers with balconies. Inside the prayer hall, sayings from the Koran are inscribed in a circle in the domed spaces.
3. Hagia Sophia
The ancient Hagia Sophia was built in 537. In the middle of the XI century, it became the site of an important event — because of a quarrel between the pope’s legate and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Christianity was divided into the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
In the XV century, when Constantinople passed to the Turks, Sultan Fatih Mehmed II ordered the cathedral to be converted into the Hagia Sophia Mosque. The tombs of the four sultans and the tomb of the princes are located in Hagia Sophia. In between prayers, the entrance is open to everyone. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
4. Rumelihisari
On the European shore, at the narrowest point of the Bosporus Strait, stands the Rumelihisari fortress, built in 1452. The grandiose structure with walls 7 m thick was built in just 4.5 months. The fortress was supposed to cut off Constantinople from the Black Sea. When the Turks took the city, Rumelikhisar was turned into a customs checkpoint. In the XVII century, a prison was built in the casemates. The restoration of the citadel began in the middle of the last century. The upper platform offers a magnificent view of the strait and its surroundings. There are cafés and hookah bars in the fortress.
5. Camlica Mosque
The Camlica Mosque, built in 2019, has become the largest in Turkey. The grandiose architectural complex was built over the Bosporus Strait in the classic Ottoman style and resembles the majestic buildings of the heyday of the Sultan era.
The huge prayer hall, and inner and outer courtyard are designed for 63,000 believers. The cubic building with a dome is surrounded by six minarets, rising to a height of 90 to 107 m. All structures are designed taking into account the increased seismicity of the region. The main architects of the project were two women, which is extremely unusual for Muslim architecture. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
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6. Galata Tower
Galata Tower is one of the oldest buildings in Istanbul. It was built in the XIV century by the Genoese to perpetuate their own conquests and mark the expansion of their colonies. The 69-meter tower, standing on Galata Hill, is clearly visible from the surrounding areas of Istanbul. After the reconstruction of 1832, it was used as a fire tower. Nowadays, it has become one of the best viewing points in the city. The Galata Tower was opened to the public in the 1960s. Two high-speed elevators were built inside, rising to the observation deck. In 2020, all drinking establishments were removed, and an iconic museum was opened instead.
7. Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace, was designed in the fashionable European Baroque style for the 19th century. The interiors harmoniously combine the luxury of the East and the elegance of European decor. Six rulers of Turkey lived in the palace. The last one was President Kemal Ataturk. Even though Dolmabahce Palace is the Istanbul residence of the country’s Prime minister, it is open to the public. Special attention should be paid to the beautiful Beylerbey Summer Palace, located on the shores of the Bosporus, and the richly decorated pavilions in the park around the Dolmabahce Palace. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
8. Maiden’s Tower
The exact date of the Maiden’s Tower construction is unknown. The first mention of it dates back to the 5th century BC. In the middle of the XV century, it was made of wood and served as a lighthouse. The stone building on a small island in the Bosporus appeared in the first half of the XVIII century. Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) acquired its modern look in the 40s of the last century.
There are many romantic legends associated with the tower, which attract the attention of tourists. Inside the Maiden’s Tower, there is a restaurant, a small museum, and a souvenir shop.
9. Belgrad Forest
The Belgrad Forest, 15 km from Istanbul, is a huge forest park area where recreation infrastructure is carefully built into the wild. At all times, the forest was under the protection of the Turkish authorities — unauthorized felling of trees, and poaching were strictly punishable by law. The Belgrad forest is inhabited by more than 70 species of birds, foxes, wolves, deer, and wild boars.
Under the shade of oak groves, near streams and a lake, there are places for recreation, pedestrian alleys, bike paths, and picnic areas. The park has preserved ancient aqueducts that were part of the reservoir system around Istanbul. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
10. Istanbul Aquarium
The Floria Aquarium opened in the European part of Istanbul in 2011. The 1.2 km long excursion route passes through 17 geographical zones — from the Black Sea to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Each location is designed in accordance with the natural, architectural, and historical features of the region.
The aquarium contains 17,000 marine and terrestrial inhabitants of 1,500 species. Those who wish can get acquainted with the technology of coral cultivation, and observe the feeding of fish, sharks, and crocodiles.
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11. Faruk Yalcin Zoo
In the 90s of the last century, biologist and businessman Faruk Yalcin bred rare birds and fish in his estate on the outskirts of Istanbul, and planted exotic plant species. When the collection expanded, the enthusiast bought land in the neighboring Tuzla caddesi district to organize a zoo.
Today there are 200,000 square meters of land. There are about 3,000 animals from Africa, Australia, South America, and Madagascar. Among them are rhinoceroses and bears, tapirs, kangaroos, and monkeys. You will see rare red pandas, pygmy hippos, giraffes, and lemurs. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
12. Isfanbul Theme Park
Isfanbul Theme Park is the Istanbul equivalent of Disneyland with 50 attractions, a cinema, a large stadium a 10,000-seat concert venue, 250 shops, and a hotel. The game space is designed for kids — they can travel to countries and continents, get acquainted with the rules of the road, riding miniature cars. The adventure zone has extreme attractions for visitors over the age of 10. Water lovers will get a boost of energy on the Crazy River and during rafting. The historical area of the park is dedicated to the past of Istanbul, the attractions have been named historical monuments.
13. Istanbul Archaeology Museum
The Istanbul Archaeology Museum opened in 1896. The initiator of its creation was Osman Hamdi Bey, a famous Turkish archaeologist. The museum complex includes three separate exhibitions: archaeological finds, treasures of the Ancient East, and a tiled pavilion.
In the first area of the museum, archaeological finds from Ancient Greece and Rome are on display. The second is dedicated to the culture and art of Ancient Egypt. The third exposition contains ceramic products that have come down from the XI-XII centuries. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
14. Ataturk Arboretumu
The Ataturk Arboretum, adjacent to the Belgrade Forest, extends over 296 hectares. Over 2,000 species of trees and other plants from all over the world have been planted in the park. The center is decorated with a marble fountain, from which paved paths run away framed by redwoods, firs, maples, willows, and mighty oaks.
The trail leading to the north leads to a man-made lake that feeds all the park ponds with water. Swans, ducks, turtles, and a variety of fish live in the local reservoirs. Several dirt trails connect the botanical garden with the virgin Belgrad Forest.
15. Yedikule Fortress
The powerful fortress of Yedikule was built on the ruins of the fortifications of the defeated Constantinople in 1458 by the order of Sultan Mehmed II Al-Fatih. Fragments of former fortifications became part of the citadel — the Golden Gate, part of the wall of Feodosia with four Byzantine towers.
Three more defensive towers, a sultan’s residence, a mosque, a treasury, repositories of the state archives of the Ottoman Empire, armories, and powder magazines were built in the fort. The barracks of the Janissary garrison occupied an entire block.
Recently, the picturesque territory has served as an open-air theater, concerts and festivals are held in the fortress. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
16. Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam
The Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam was built at the end of the XVI century by the famous architect Mimar Sinan. The Turkish bath is part of a complex consisting of a mosque, a tomb, a fountain, and a madrasah.
For Turks, a visit to the hamam is a special ritual, so the baths are about 1000 square meters. They were built with great care. The hamam worked properly for several centuries and then stood closed for a long time, gradually collapsing. The restored complex has turned into a grand SPA center with modern equipment and magnificent interiors made of natural wood, stone, and marble.
17. Sehzade Mosque
Sultan Suleiman built the Sehzade Mosque in memory of his son, who died early. The building is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful temple buildings in Istanbul. The strictly symmetrical square volume is topped by a large dome. It is supported by four arches and surrounded by the same number of semi-domes. Two minarets are lavishly decorated with Turkish patterns. The discreetly decorated interior is decorated in bright colors. In the courtyard of the mosque there is the mausoleum of Sehzade, decorated inside with tiles with a traditional pattern. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
18. Haydarpasa Terminal
The monumental building of the Haydarpasa railway station was built in the Asian part of the city at the beginning of the XX century. The station was built by German architects on an artificially created peninsula, which today serves as a pier for ferries. More than a thousand piles securely hold the building on a man-made embankment. Haydarpasa is built in a neoclassical style with elements of German Baroque. The station windows are decorated with stained glass windows, the facades are decorated with sandstone. In memory of the German builders, there is an authentic quarter in the Kadikoy district, where their descendants still live today.
19. Princes’ Islands
People come to the Princes’ Islands to soak up the beautiful beaches, swim in the clear sea, sit in a café with a cup of coffee, taste national cuisine in local restaurants, and admire old temples. Of the nine islands, only four are open to tourists. The largest of them, Buyukada, houses a museum dedicated to the history of the archipelago. This is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
20. Grand Bazaar
One of the world’s oldest indoor markets occupies 30,700 m2 and consists of 61 streets. They fit hotels, baths, fountains, mosques, shops, schools, and even their own police station. Five historical gates lead to the market, and you can get inside through 18 entrances. Everything is sold in the Big Bazaar — food, spices, Turkish sweets, gifts, jewelry, furniture, luxurious carpets, national clothes, leather goods, and ceramics. The numerous cafés serve national cuisine. In small craft workshops, original souvenirs will be made to order for you.
How many days does it take to see all the most beautiful places in Istanbul?
It usually takes at least 4–5 days to see all the most beautiful places in Istanbul. This will allow you to visit the main attractions. If you want more time for walks, cafés, and museums, it is better to plan 7–10 days.
What is the most delicious Turkish dish to try in Istanbul?
There are many delicious dishes worth trying in Istanbul, but one of the most famous and delicious is kebab — especially donar kebab or shish kebab. Also, pay attention to mantı (Turkish dumplings) and pide (Turkish pizza).
Don’t forget to try baklava for dessert and enjoy Ayran, a refreshing yogurt drink. Each of these dishes will give you a unique taste of Turkish cuisine.
How to Stay Connected During Your Istanbul Trip?
When going on any trip abroad, you should always remember about the connection. Fortunately, with the advent of eSIM, you can forget about expensive roaming or the tedious search for local mobile operators.
eSIM is a convenient way to stay connected anywhere in the world without using a physical SIM card. eSIM is already a built-in function in a smartphone, which only needs to be activated using the eSIM operator. At the same time, the whole process takes place online and takes literally a few minutes.
However, in order to get high-quality and uninterrupted communication, you need to choose a trusted and proven eSIM operator, for example, eSIM Plus. This service is a leader in the eSIM services market and offers a variety of tariff plans for any purpose and country. There are more than 190 options in the database of available countries. Therefore, you can plan a trip even to the most remote corners of the planet.
Use eSIM Plus during your trips around Istanbul and stay online!
