One of the most important cities in the world for about 16 centuries, Istanbul was ruled under the domination of many different civilizations. Dozens of historical artifacts in the city, which bears the traces of all the civilizations it has hosted on its lands, have turned Istanbul into a museum in itself. The places to visit in Istanbul, where you can encounter a different beauty in each district, do not end with counting. Many natural and historical destinations, especially palaces, mosques, museums, parks and gardens, are among the must-see places.
1- Bosphorus
One of the first places that comes to mind when Istanbul is mentioned is the Bosphorus. We can even call it the place that adds all its beauty to Istanbul. If we make the Bosphorus, the point where the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea meet, a straight line, it has a length of 32 kilometers.
If you want to tour the Bosphorus, which stretches between Anadolu Hisarı and Rumeli Hisarı, you can join the bosphorus tours organized by the City Lines. It should be noted that there are two types of tours, long and short. There are also one-way Bosphorus tours. They even organize moonlight tours so that we can see the beauty of the Bosphorus in the evening.
If you want to watch the Bosphorus from afar, you can go to Büyükada, Heybeliada or Kınalıada and enjoy the cruise. You can also eat at the restaurants with a Bosphorus view while watching the beauty of the scenery.
2-Hagia Sophia
There are many places that we can put at the top of the list of places to visit in Istanbul and it is very difficult to choose, but Hagia Sophia deserves to be in the first place. Hagia Sophia, built in 360 by the Eastern Roman Emperor Constantius, is one of the oldest cathedrals in the world.
Hagia Sophia, known as Megale Ekklesia at that time, gained its closest appearance to its current appearance as a result of the works of Anthemios of Tralles and Isidoros of Miletos, who were commissioned by Emperor Justinian. Hagia Sophia, whose construction was completed in 5 years and 10 months with the work of two architects, was the cathedral that was built in the shortest time in the world compared to other structures of that time.
In the 5th century, the building was named Hagia Sophia and it was named after Istanbul until 1453. After conquering Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet ordered Hagia Sophia to be a mosque and the minarets of the building were built by Mimar Sinan. Hagia Sophia, which became a museum in 1935, was reopened for worship in 2020. If you want to visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, you can visit it between 09:00-19:00 in summer and 09:00-17:00 in winter, except Mondays.
3- Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace, located in the Historical Peninsula, which is the most touristic region of Istanbul, should of course be at the top of the list of places to visit in Istanbul. Located in Sarayburnu in the Fatih district, Topkapı Palace was built after the conquest of Istanbul and served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years.
There were also intrigues and sad times in the palace, which witnessed the glorious history of the Ottoman Period. Topkapi Palace, which was turned into a museum on April 3, 1924, is also the first museum of the Republic of Turkey. It is one of the largest palace museums in the world, as it covers an area of 300,000 square meters and hosts approximately 300,000 archival documents.
When you go to visit the museum, you can see the Harem section, the Cardigan-i Saadet Office, the Privy Room, Babü's Saade and the Garden of the Mansions. You should also visit the Istanbul Library, which houses the portraits, clothes and weapons of the sultans. You can visit the palace between 10:00 and 17:30 on weekdays, and between 10:30 and 17:30 on weekends, except Tuesdays.
4- Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, the most famous mosque in Istanbul, is very famous not only among domestic tourists but also among foreign tourists. Foreign tourists know the mosque as the Blue Mosque, which means Blue Mosque. The most important reason for this is that the interior of the mosque is furnished with 21 thousand 43 Iznik tiles and has a deep blue appearance.
The mosque, which was built by Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa, one of Mimar Sinan's students in the 17th century, on the orders of Sultan Ahmet I, is located right across Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque has 16 balconies and these 16 balconies symbolize that Sultan Ahmet I is the 16th ruler of the Ottoman Empire. The diameter of its dome, which is 43 meters high, is 23.5 meters. When all these and the complex of the mosque come together, the Blue Mosque is among the largest structures in Istanbul. Since the mosque is open for worship, it can be very crowded on Fridays and religious holidays. For this reason, when you go for a tour to see the mosque from an architectural point of view, you can prefer days that can be quieter.
5- Sultanahmet Square
Sultanahmet Square is the starting point of touristic tours in Istanbul. At the same time, touristic Sultanahmet hotels are located around this square. The square, which was used as a hippodrome in the years when the Roman Empire ruled in the region, was the dominion of the Byzantine Empire.
It was a hippodrome when he was in the middle of nowhere. That's why it was known as the Horse Square.
In those days, the local people always gathered in this square and had fun. Obelisks, the remains of which can still be seen today, such as the Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Knitted Obelisk were used to divide the hippodrome into two. Nowadays, they are among the most important elements of the photographs taken in Sultanahmet Square.
The square got its current name after the Blue Mosque, which is one of the first mosques that comes to mind when talking about places to visit in Istanbul, was built in 1616. After seeing the square, you should definitely visit the mosque. After the mosque, you should continue your tour with places to visit such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Ibrahim Pasha Palace, German Fountain and Hagia Eirene Church. Of course, you should also taste the famous Sultanahmet meatballs here. If you come back without eating this meatball, you will not have come to Istanbul.
6-Suleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque, the journeyman work of Mimar Sinan, is one of the most admirable places to visit in Istanbul. Located in Beyazıt district, the mosque was built by the order of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, whose name it can be understood from.
Every detail of the mosque, whose construction was completed between 1551 and 1557, has been carefully thought through and calculated very well. Mimar Sinan spent weeks trying to adjust the acoustics in the best way by using empty cubes. He developed ideas for using the soot from oil lamps in ink production. Ostrich eggs were used to prevent insect and scorpion infestations in the mosque.
The Süleymaniye Complex, where the Süleymaniye Mosque is located, is spread over a very large area. The complex with 15 sections; It also has areas such as madrasahs, a cemetery, a hospital, a library, a Turkish bath, and a primary school. There are also the tombs of Mimar Sinan, Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan in the complex.
7- Dolmabahce Palace
This palace, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away, has a great place in our hearts. For this reason, Dolmabahçe Palace is perhaps one of the most emotional items on the list of places to visit in Istanbul.
Dolmabahçe Palace was built in 1856 upon the order of Sultan Abdülmecit. Abdülmecit wanted this palace to have a European style and to consist of only beauties. The construction of the palace, which includes 285 rooms, 26 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets, was very expensive for the sultan and the sultan was able to sit in the 3rd largest palace of Istanbul, which he had built with such care, for only 5 years. The palace, which was used in different ways by the sultans who came after Abdülmecit, also served as the modern face of the new state when the Republic of Turkey was established.
On November 10, 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk breathed his last in room 71. Today, when you go to Dolmabahçe Palace, you can see this room and personal belongings of Atatürk. The palace, which is closed on Mondays, welcomes its visitors between 10:00-17:30 on weekdays and 10:30-17:30 on weekends.
8- Galata Tower
Galata Tower, one of the structures that make up the silhouette of Istanbul, welcomes so many tourists that there are always long queues in front of it. Galata Tower, which is among the oldest towers in the world, was built in the 500s at the request of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
It gained its present appearance in the 1340s. The last repair of the tower, which was destroyed by fire and earthquakes, was made in 1967. You can enter the tower, which offers a wonderful view of Istanbul when you climb to the top, between 10:00-22:00 in summer and 10:00-19:00 in winter.
9- Istiklal Avenue
The most popular and iconic place among the places to visit in Istanbul is Istiklal Street. Located in Beyoğlu, one of the oldest districts of Istanbul, the street starts in Taksim Square and ends in the tunnel.
Istiklal Street gained its modern appearance in the 19th century. During the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, the street, which attracted attention with its resemblance to the famous streets of Paris, was given names such as "Grande Rue de Pera", "Grand Street" and "Cadde-i Kebir". Istiklal Street got its name after the proclamation of the Republic in the 20th century.
With the cinemas, cultural activity areas, art galleries and hotels located on it, it lived its most glorious years in the 20th century. You can see the Syrian Passage, Galatasaray High School, Yapı Kredi Cultural Center, Madame Tussauds Istanbul and the old Emek Cinema while walking around Istiklal Street, which is lively every day and every hour today.
10- Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern, one of the most valuable structures remaining in Istanbul from the Byzantine Empire period. The cistern, which was built on the order of Emperor Justinian in 532, was used for the water needs of the palace and the people in those years. Even after the conquest of Istanbul, it continued to be used as a water source for a while.
In the past, it was also known as the Basilica Cistern because of the Stoa Basilica on the cistern and the Basilica Palace because of the columns coming out of the water. The most mysterious place in the Basilica Cistern, which is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide.
The work is the Head of Medusa. The statue, located under the two columns located in the northwest of the cistern, is one of the most important works of the Roman Period, but how it got here is unknown.
Basilica Cistern is a culturally important place besides its touristic beauty. Concerts and recitals of local and foreign artists are held here. Especially with the lighting arrangements made during these concerts, the events become very impressive.
11-Grand Bazaar
Among the places to visit in Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar is the place where you can find all the textures of Turkey together. Located in Beyazıt, the bazaar is known as the Grand Bazaar by foreign tourists. The Grand Bazaar was built during the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror and has been in existence for about 550 years.
The bazaar, which aimed to increase the income of the Ottoman Empire when it was first opened, has grown over time and has become the most important trade center in the region. The Grand Bazaar, the oldest shopping center in the world, is also one of the largest shopping centers in the world, with an area of 45,000 square meters. The name of the Grand Bazaar is also mentioned in Evliya Çelebi's Travel Book. Apart from that, other travel books mention its size and the shops inside.
Home to almost 4000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is famous for its jewelers. Besides the jewelers, there are also spices, carpets, rugs and fabrics. Even if you are not going to buy anything from the Grand Bazaar, you should definitely wander through the shops because it would not be possible to go back without feeling the nostalgic atmosphere of old Istanbul.
12- Maiden's Tower
Another structure that forms the silhouette of Istanbul is the Maiden's Tower. The tower, which is one of the most romantic addresses in Istanbul, is located in Salacak offshore of Üsküdar district. There is no clear source of exactly when the Maiden's Tower was built, but in some sources it is said that the construction process started in 341 BC.
The Maiden's Tower, which is the subject of many different legends, was also known by the names Damalis and Leandros in the past. Damalis was a name derived from the wife of the King of Athens, Kharis. This name was given to the tower because Damalis was buried on these beaches when he died. During the Byzantine Empire, it was also known as Arcla, which means small castle. After the conquest of Istanbul, the tower on the island was demolished and a wooden tower was built in its place. The tower, which could not withstand fire due to its wooden structure, was rebuilt in 1725.
13- Spice Bazaar
After the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar is the place that best reflects that old Istanbul atmosphere. When it was built in the 17th century, it was one of the centers of trade in the Ottoman Empire. Since it was built as a part of the New Mosque, it was also called Yeni Çarşı and Valide Çarşısı in the early years. Later, it was given its current name with the sale of spices and teas from Egypt.
Since it is located in Eminönü, that is, one of the most active points of Istanbul, it is very easy to reach. The Spice Bazaar is a must for Istanbul tours, but most of the people living in Istanbul definitely stop by the Spice Bazaar for shopping. If you live in Istanbul and want to shop like a tourist, head straight to the Spice Bazaar! If you say "No, I want to go to Istanbul and see the places to visit", start your plans by buying an Istanbul flight ticket right away.
14- Hagia Irene Church
There are many places left from the Byzantine Empire among the places to visit in Istanbul, but Hagia Irene Church is the first church built by the Byzantines in Istanbul. After the conquest of Istanbul, the church was not converted into a mosque and it was decided to become a museum in the 19th century. The church, called the Museum-i Hümayun or the Imperial Museum, was the first museum opened in the Ottoman Empire.
The church, which was later used as a Military Museum, has been part of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts since 1973. For this reason, many different cultural and artistic events organized by İKSV take place here. You can have a more enjoyable time, especially if you go when these activities are held.
15-Çamlıca Hill
If you look for a place on the Anatolian side where you can watch the view of Istanbul, you will go to Camlica Hill. Çamlıca Hill, where you can see the Marmara Sea, Golden Horn, Prince Islands and Black Sea panoramically, is actually divided into two as Büyük Çamlıca Hill and Small Çamlıca Hill. The name of the big hill comes from the fact that it is 268 meters above sea level, while the small hill is 230 meters above sea level.
On Küçük Çamlıca Hill, you can see Küçük Çamlıca Grove, Cihannüma and Topkapı Mansions. On Büyük Çamlıca Hill, you should definitely go to Nurbaba Lodge. In addition, Çamlıca Mosque, the largest mosque built in the history of the Republic, is located on Çamlıca Hill.
