Things to do in Istanbul

Activities, attractions and tours

A cityscape with a prominent tower, a river, and a bridge.
A mosque with multiple minarets and domes, surrounded by a coastal cityscape and the sea.
An aerial view of a coastal town with a harbor, boats, and a mountainous backdrop.
A cityscape with a bridge, a river, and a seagull flying overhead.
A grand classical building with a green roof, situated by a waterfront.

Things to do

Bursa and Uludağ Tour from İstanbul with Lunch & Cable Car

Bursa and Uludağ Tour from İstanbul with Lunch & Cable Car

S$32
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Bursa and Uludağ Tour from İstanbul with Lunch & Cable Car
Picture 2 for Activity Istanbul: Bosphorus & Golden Horn Cruise Daytime or Sunset

Istanbul: Bosphorus & Golden Horn Cruise Daytime or Sunset

S$15
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Bosphorus & Golden Horn Cruise Daytime or Sunset
Istanbul: Princess Island Büyükada Tour with Island Vehicle

Istanbul:Princess Island(Büyükada)& Island Electric Car Trip

S$23
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul:Princess Island(Büyükada)& Island Electric Car Trip
Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket and Audio Guide

S$84
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket and Audio Guide
Bosphorus Yacht Cruise

Luxury Yacht Bosphorus Cruise with Live Guide & Asian Side Stop

S$52
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Luxury Yacht Bosphorus Cruise with Live Guide & Asian Side Stop
Picture 1 for Activity Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

S$15
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option
Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Snacks and Live Guide

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Snacks and Live Guide

S$44
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Snacks and Live Guide
Hagia Sophia

Istanbul Highlights! Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and More

S$223
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul Highlights! Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and More
Princess Island Tour with lunch

Princess Island (Büyükada)Tour with Lunch and Island Shuttle Car

S$23
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Princess Island (Büyükada)Tour with Lunch and Island Shuttle Car
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Top places to visit

1. Hagia Sophia

Known as “Ayasofa” (Sacred Wisdom) in Turkish, the Hagia Sofia started out as a church, becoming a cathedral under the Byzantine empire. Later it would become a mosque, and most recently a museum and monument that is hugely valued by the people of Turkey.
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A historic mosque with a large central dome and two minarets, surrounded by trees and a reflective pool.

2. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is a prominent part of view of the Istanbul skyline. Constructed under Sultan Ahmed I, it was finished in 1616. Its designer's vision was to display the Islamic faith central to the Ottoman Empire in this massive site of worship.
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A mosque with multiple domes and minarets.

3. Grand Bazaar

Originally opened in the mid-15th century by Sultan Mehmet II as a site for textile trading, the Grand Bazaar continues to offer everything from pottery and tiles to spices and brassware, as well as belly-dancing clothes, pipes, ashtrays, and much more. It used to be that each street had a craft, and while this isn't strictly the case any longer, there are areas of the bazaar where you'll be able to compare your craft of choice side by side with lots of others.
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A bustling market with colorful stalls and a patterned ceiling.

4. Galata Tower

At just under 67 metres in height, Galata Tower was the tallest building in the city when built in 1348. It was constructed as the heart of the fortifications of the Genovese colony in Constantinople at that time, and was named the 'Tower of Christ'. Later, it became a lookout tower for fires in the 18th century, and was indeed seriously damaged by fire in both the 18th and 19th centuries. The most recent significant refurbishment took place during the 1960s, and the tower has been open to visitors since then.
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A cityscape with a prominent tower, a river with boats, and a mix of historic and modern buildings.

5. Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace covers over 70 hectares at the place where the city was founded, and is surrounded by more than five kilometres of walls. Despite being a 15th-century building, it is excellently preserved, and was opened to the public in 1924 by Kemal Ataturk, the 'Father of the Turks'.
Learn more
A historic stone gate with two towers, a clear sky, and a pathway leading to the entrance.

What to do in Istanbul

Stay near popular Istanbul attractions

A tram in a city square with buildings and flags.

Taksim Square

8.8/10 (27,914 reviews)
You can learn about the local history of Istanbul during your trip to a well-known site such as Taksim Square. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its fascinating museums.
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Where to stay in Istanbul

Find the best Istanbul areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A fountain with water jets in a circular pool, a mosque with multiple minarets, and palm trees in the foreground.

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Hagia Sophia to Sultanahmet Square – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A red tram with the number 115 on a busy street.

Taksim

Enjoy the popular shops in Taksim. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Taksim Station or Findikli Station to see more of Istanbul.

A coastal building with a red roof, white walls, and a flag on top, situated on a rocky shoreline with calm sea in the background.

Kadıköy

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Kadıköy. Spend some time visiting top spots like Bosphorus, and catch the metro at Bahariye Station or Acibadem Station to see more of the area.

An aerial view of a coastal town with houses, a marina, and lush greenery.

Büyükada

A grand neoclassical building with ornate columns and a symmetrical facade, surrounded by manicured gardens and a clear blue sky.

Beşiktaş

Spend some time visiting places like Bosphorus while getting to know Beşiktaş, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Nispetiye Station or Etiler Station to see more of the area.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

A coastal cityscape with a prominent mosque, a bridge, and a bustling harbor.

Istanbul

A coastal area with a pier, rocky shoreline, and a distant ship.

Silivri

A stone bridge with multiple arches over a calm river.

Corlu

A coastal landscape with a lighthouse, rocky cliffs, and a clear blue sky.

Şile

An aerial view of a coastal town with a harbor, boats, and a mountainous backdrop.

Adalar

A lighthouse on a grassy hill with a clear blue sky.

Marmara Ereglisi

A calm river with boats docked along the shore, surrounded by hills and houses.

Riva

A suspension bridge, a body of water, a city skyline, and autumn foliage.

Sariyer