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    Istanbul

    Turkey

    Istanbul

    CityCultureUNESCO

    Spanning Europe and Asia, Istanbul sits on the Bosphorus, linking Black and Marmara Seas. Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and lively nightlife make Turkey's largest city the start of many Turkey trips.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Turkey
    7. Istanbul & Marmara
    9. Istanbul
    Spanning Europe and Asia, Istanbul sits on the Bosphorus, linking Black and Marmara Seas. Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and lively nightlife make Turkey's largest city the start of many Turkey trips. Most sights lie on historic Sultanahmet peninsula, south of the Golden Horn. North of it, Karaköy and Beyoğlu offer Galata Tower and bars. The Asian side's Kadıköy is a hub for market, food, nightlife.

    Sights in Istanbul

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Süleymaniye Mosque
    Mosque

    1Süleymaniye Mosque

    Mimar Sinan built the mosque for Süleyman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557 on a hill above the Golden Horn. It is the center of a large foundation complex. In the garden lies the simple tomb that Sinan designed for himself, although he called the Selimiye in Edirne his best work.
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    Basilica Cistern
    Museum

    2Basilica Cistern

    The underground cistern was built in the 6th century under Justinian and supplied the Imperial Palace with water. 336 columns, about nine meters high, support the vaults; two of which rest on Medusa heads. After a restoration with earthquake reinforcement, the cistern has been open again since July 2022 and features light installations.
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    Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
    Attraction

    3Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)

    The construction of the bazaar began in 1455/56 under Mehmed II.; its centerpiece is the Bedesten. Spread across 61 covered alleys are several thousand shops selling carpets, jewelry, leather, and ceramics. It is open Mondays to Saturdays, but remains closed on Sundays and public holidays.
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    Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)
    Museum

    4Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)

    The Byzantine monastery church in the Edirnekapı district features mosaics and frescoes commissioned by Theodoros Metochites in the early 14th century. Around 1500, it was converted into a mosque; from 1958, it served as the Kariye Museum. Since May 2024, it has reopened as a mosque, with the mosaics of the narthexes and the frescoes of the funerary chapel remaining visible to visitors.
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    Topkapı Palace
    Museum

    5Topkapı Palace

    The palace on the tip of the historical peninsula was for centuries the seat of the Ottoman sultans. In 1856, the court moved to Dolmabahçe Palace; since 1924, Topkapı has been a museum. Courtyards, pavilions, and the Harem illustrate how the court lived and governed. Since 2019, the Department of National Palaces (Milli Saraylar) has managed the complex, and since 2014, numerous areas, such as in the Harem, have been restored.
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    Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
    Mosque

    6Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)

    Sultan Ahmed I. had the mosque built from 1609 to 1616 opposite the Hagia Sophia. It has six minarets. After a five-year restoration, it has been fully reopened since 2023. Admission is free, outside of prayer times and with covered shoulders and knees.
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    Restaurants in Istanbul

    1

    Karaköy Lokantası

    This restaurant with turquoise tiles is a 2026 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. Lunch brings a Lokanta with Ottoman-influenced dishes; dinner, a Meyhane with Meze. Lakerda, Hünkar Beğendi, and lamb shank are typical.
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    2

    Hamdi Restaurant

    A kebab spot popular for decades in Eminönü, near the Spice Bazaar. From the upper floors, you'll see views of the Golden Horn and the Galata Bridge. Book ahead, it's usually packed.
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    3

    Pandeli

    The blue-tiled restaurant, open since 1901, sits above the main entrance of the Egyptian Bazaar. It serves Ottoman dishes such as Dolma. Pandeli, a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, is primarily open for lunch.
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    4

    Çiya Sofrası

    Musa Dağdeviren's lokanta at the Kadıköy market, serving regional cooking from all over Anatolia since 1998. The menu changes daily with the season and what is available, with meze, soups and stews. Known dishes include lamb with quince and perde pilavı.
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    Food and Drink

    Istanbul eats on the street and by the water. Food stalls, Lokantas with daily dishes and Meyhanes with Meze define daily life.

    Simit

    Sesame ring, crispy outside and soft inside. With cheese, a typical on-the-go breakfast.

    Balık Ekmek

    Fish sandwiches, sold on the waterfronts of Eminönü and Karaköy. Best enjoyed standing by the water.

    Midye Dolma

    Rice-stuffed mussels, which you eat with lemon juice. Vendors are mainly found in Taksim, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy.

    Kokoreç

    Grilled lamb intestines in bread, a popular snack after a night out.

    Culture & History

    Byzantium, Constantinople, IstanbulGreek colonists founded Byzantium in the 7th century BC. In 330, the city became Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire. After its conquest in 1453, it served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire until its end.World Heritage on the PeninsulaIstanbul's historic areas have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. These include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and Süleymaniye Mosque. Many structures have a dual history as both a church and a mosque, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church.Visiting MosquesAttire: Shoulders and knees covered, women with headscarf.Prayer Times: Visits are restricted before the five daily prayers and on Friday midday.

    Nightlife

    1

    Moretenders’ Cocktail Crib

    Craft cocktail bar in Asmalımescit, just steps from İstiklal Caddesi in Beyoğlu. Known for its wide selection of gin cocktails.
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    2

    Fahri Konsolos

    Cocktail bar in Kadıköy featuring Turkish ingredients like sumac, pomegranate syrup, and herbs. Menu items include a Sumac Sour or a Pomegranate Old Fashioned. Open evenings, closed Mondays.
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    3

    Karga Bar

    A fixture on Kadife Sokak, Kadıköy's bar street, since 1996. The bar spreads over several floors of an old wooden house. Upstairs there are rock, indie and electronic concerts; otherwise DJs play.
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    Arrival & Transport

    Getting ThereIstanbul has two international airports. From Istanbul Airport on the European side, Metro M11 runs to Gayrettepe with a connection to M2. From Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side, Metro M4 leads to Kadıköy.Getting AroundIstanbulkart: This rechargeable card is valid on the Metro, Tram, Bus, Marmaray, Metrobüs, city ferries, and funiculars. Alternatively, you can pay contactlessly at card readers with a debit or credit card, though at a higher fare.Marmaray: This suburban train runs under the Bosphorus, connecting the European and Asian sides.Ferries: Lines like Karaköy to Kadıköy or Eminönü to Üsküdar are also the most affordable Bosphorus cruise.TipSultanahmet is best explored on foot. To cross to Kadıköy, take the ferry instead of the train; the view of the Old City makes the detour worthwhile.

    Accommodations in Istanbul

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    Nearby

    Istanbul & Marmara

    Istanbul & Marmara

    The region around the Sea of Marmara connects Europe and Asia: to the north Thrace with Istanbul and Edirne, to the south Bursa and the Dardanelles near Çanakkale. Here you'll find Byzantium and the three early Ottoman capitals, plus Gallipoli and the excavations of Troy. Istanbul is the hub; you can reach the other destinations from there by bus, ferry, or car.
    Bursa

    Bursa

    Bursa is located on the northern slope of Uludağ, south of the Marmara Sea, and about two hours from Istanbul. As the first capital of the Ottomans, the city preserves early mosques, tomb complexes, and khans, which, along with the village of Cumalıkızık, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The attractions are concentrated in the bazaar district around Ulu Cami and Koza Han, as well as on the Green Mosque hill further east. With approximately 3.3 million inhabitants in the province, Bursa is one of Turkey's major cities.
    Edirne

    Edirne

    Edirne is located in Turkey's far northwest, in the European part of Thrace, about two and a half hours' drive from Istanbul. The former Ottoman capital boasts the Selimiye Mosque, master architect Sinan's masterpiece, and an old town brimming with mosques and bazaars. You can reach the sights in the city center on foot; Kırkpınar Square is situated on the river island of Sarayiçi.
    Çanakkale

    Çanakkale

    Çanakkale lies at the narrowest point of the Dardanelles, on the Asian side of the strait connecting the Marmara and Aegean Seas. This lively student city is the starting point for the battlefields of Gallipoli and the excavations of Troy. Life unfolds on the Kordon, the waterfront promenade with the Trojan Horse, and in the alleys around the Clock Tower. Opposite, on the European side, are Kilitbahir and Eceabat, connected by short ferry rides.
    Troy

    Troy

    Troy is located on Hisarlık Hill, about 30 kilometers southwest of Çanakkale, near the southern entrance of the Dardanelles. The excavation site reveals settlement layers spanning approximately 4,000 years and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998. The modern Troy Museum in the village of Tevfikiye complements the visit with its archaeological finds.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI