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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Istanbul [2025]
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Hagia Sophia
4.8
/5
2883 reviews
9.7
From VND 913588
Old City Sultanahmet | 457m from downtown
Phone +902125221750
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Byzantine murals & balcony view
A historical symbol of multiculturalism
Saved by 1330 users2157 positive reviews
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It's quite spectacular. This kind of column-less arched structure is truly rare in China.
For such a large tourist attraction, there are no restrooms. The public toilets in the square outside even charge a fee.
Because of the lack of restrooms, the streets are filled with the stench of feces and urine.
I'm so accustomed to China's infrastructure at home, but when I compare it to overseas, I realize how difficult it is for ordinary people abroad.
PS: Buy tickets on-site; they're much more expensive on Ctrip.
Scan the QR code in the photo to take a self-guided online tour
Hagia Sophia is a world-class building in Istanbul, possessing immense historical, cultural, and artistic value.
Architectural Achievements: A prime example of Byzantine architecture, its 31.24-meter-diameter dome held the world's highest church dome for nearly a thousand years, and its buttressing technique revolutionized architectural history.
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Basilica Cistern
4.6
/5
794 reviews
9.2
From VND 937440
Old City Sultanahmet | 355m from downtown
Phone +902125121570
Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Medusa columns guard mysterious underground
Relive classic movie scenes
Saved by 1125 users421 positive reviews
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The exterior is magnificent and elegant. The first floor, formerly a museum, is now a place for Islamic prayer and is off-limits to visitors. The second floor is open to visitors, with some murals covered with white cloth. While Turkey is a secular Islamic country, it remains unfriendly to Christianity. The church is definitely worth a visit, as it boasts a rich history.
Прошли без очереди по qr коду. Впечатлило! Очень красиво и познавательно))
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Topkapi Palace
4.4
/5
655 reviews
8.7
From VND 1669120
Old City Sultanahmet | 879m from downtown
Phone +902125120480
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Featured in 2025 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Bosphorus Strait view available
Overlook the magnificent bay view from the high point of the palace
Saved by 636 users308 positive reviews
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The design of Topkapı Palace draws on the essence of Byzantine, Persian, and Islamic art. Iznik tiles, predominantly in blue, green, and red, cover the walls with geometric and floral designs. Kündekari (wood inlay) and calligraphy further enhance the symbolism of imperial power. As the administrative center of the empire for nearly 400 years, Topkapı Palace witnessed the key events of the Ottoman Empire, from its rise to its fall. In 1985, Topkapı Palace, along with the Historic District of Istanbul, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a vital window into Ottoman history, society, artistic achievements, and daily life.
📍Topkapi Palace - the power center of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years, one of the top ten palaces in the world. The core attractions are the Hall of the Holy Relics (holy relics of the Prophet Muhammad), the Strait Terrace (overlooking the Bosphorus, the boundary between Europe and Asia) and the luxurious harem (extra charge). A half-day in-depth tour is required, and the ticket price is relatively expensive (about 950 liras). It is recommended to rent an audio guide to avoid a cursory visit.
💎Simplified tips:
- A must-see for history lovers: The Relic Hall in the third courtyard is shocking, no photos are allowed, but the on-site chanting ceremony has a strong sense of ritual;
- Go straight to the scenery party: the terrace of the fourth courtyard, a panoramic view of the strait + Galata Tower in the same frame;
- A guide to avoid pitfalls: Buy a separate ticket for the harem (about 25 liras), and the entrance is easy to miss; there are many ticket bundling routines, so buy a museum pass first.
No.
4
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Bosphorus
4.7
/5
789 reviews
8.4
Based on 10,489 reviews
27.2 km from downtown
Address: Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Featured in 2025 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Roman & Ottoman ruins abound
Night cruise to enjoy the light show on both sides of the river
Saved by 776 users316 positive reviews
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The iron floor of the ferry hurt my feet, and the smell of diesel mixed with salty smell penetrated my nose. The student next to me was sweating on the back of his school uniform, and he was still busy doing homework. The boat selling bagels came close to me, and the boatman hooked the railing with a rope to throw the bagels, almost hitting me in the face - what Europe and Asia, the locals only care about whether they can catch the boat in time for the five o'clock prayer. The hot sesame doughnuts bought with coins were hot, and I ate them while watching the Strait Bridge on the other side blocked like a parking lot, and the ferry farted away.
The Bosphorus Strait is north of the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, separating Turkey into Asia and Europe. Istanbul is located on the two sides of the central and southern section of the Strait. It was built in 1973 to cross the Bosphorus Highway Bridge, which is 1560 meters long. There is a beautiful myth in the Bosphorus. It is said that Zeus, the first of the gods, had a lover named Io, who turned Io into a cow to hide it from his wife Hera. Hera later learned about it. She became a cow fly to harass the cow Io, to avoid the cow fly, Io crossed a water wall. In ancient Greek, "bous" means "cow", "phoros" means "water wall", the myth of the water wall is the Bosphorus. We were very lucky to enjoy the sunset on the cruise ship in the Bosphorus Strait, leaving a perfect termination for our three-week trip.
No.
5
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Galata Tower
4.5
/5
409 reviews
8.3
From VND 1050914
Galata | 2.3 km from downtown
Phone +902122490344
Address: Bereketzade, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
No.4 of Night Attractions in Istanbul
Highlights:
Istanbul's stunning sunset views
Nightclub with belly dance show
Saved by 606 users250 positive reviews
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Galata Tower is one of Istanbul's iconic landmarks; with nine floors, it's also one of the tallest buildings in the city.
[View] This former military defense watchtower offers travelers a breathtaking view. Ascending to the top floor via elevator, you'll enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and more. The city's beauty is especially breathtaking at sunset and at night.
[Fun] The tower also features a restaurant, cafe, and bar, making the views even more enjoyable.
[Value for Money]
To be honest, the 30 Euro entrance fee isn't cheap. 😝
⏰ 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM. If the entrance is crowded, there's a queue, so plan your visit with plenty of time.
The neighborhood below the tower is also a great place to explore. 😎
Galata Tower is a must-visit when in Istanbul. It offers stunning panoramic views of the city and is the perfect spot to truly appreciate the beauty of Istanbul. We visited in the evening and absolutely loved the scenery. The skip-the-line ticket from Trip.com, though a bit pricey, was worth it as it saved us from waiting in the very long line at the ticket office.
No.
6
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Dolmabahce Palace
4.7
/5
414 reviews
8.3
From VND 1232850
Besiktas | 4.3 km from downtown
Phone +902122369000
Address: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Istanbul
Highlights:
Ottoman center & ceiling decor
Crystal stairs & chandelier
Saved by 508 users224 positive reviews
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The palace is big. Separate on 2 parts Harem & Sultan palace. Make any pictures not allowed 🚫 inside palace
This is the most satisfying classic in Istanbul. It is completely worth the ticket price. There are many places to visit, all of which are very exquisite. You can also enjoy the sea breeze by the sea. I love this place so much.
No.
7
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The Blue Mosque
4.8
/5
1926 reviews
8.2
Old City Sultanahmet | 20m from downtown
Phone +902124584468
Address: Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Byzantine & Ottoman architecture fusion
Blue tiles reflect the six spires
Saved by 1094 users1103 positive reviews
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The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey (also known as the Suleymaniye Mosque) combines Byzantine-style domes with Islamic architectural elements. The main dome is 27.5 meters in diameter, surrounded by 4 secondary domes and 30 small domes, without pillar support.
No iron nails were used during its construction, relying only on masonry structures, and it still stands tall after 400 years of earthquakes.
The central hall inside is nearly 5,000 square meters, with 260 small windows around it combined with stained glass windows to form a "light dance space" with changing light and shadow.
The designer Koca Mimar Sinan (April 15, 1489 - April 9, 1588) was Michelangelo in the Ottoman Empire.
Along the way, in addition to the Blue Mosque (Suleymaniye Mosque) in Istanbul, built from 1550 to 1557, we were very lucky to visit two other masterpieces of this great designer:
1️⃣ The Great Mosque (Gez Husserl Beg Mosque) in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, built in 1531;
2️⃣ The Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge in Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, built in 1577.
🕌 Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Istanbul📍 Address: Sultan Ahmet Mah., Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, Fatih, Istanbul🕰 Hours: Daily 8:30 AM – one hour before sunset (Closed to tourists during prayer times)📝 Review:A must-visit landmark in Istanbul! Famous for its six minarets and beautiful blue İznik tiles inside, the Blue Mosque offers stunning Ottoman architecture and a peaceful atmosphere. Entry is free, but respectful clothing is required.✅ Tips: • Avoid prayer times (especially Friday noon) • Women should bring a scarf to cover hair • Plastic bags are provided for shoes⭐ Why Go?Historic, spiritual, and visually breathtaking — it’s right across from Hagia Sophia and perfect for photos and cultural insight.
No.
8
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Grand Bazaar
4.4
/5
519 reviews
7.6
Old City Sultanahmet | 959m from downtown
Phone +902125191248
Address: Beyazıt, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Experience Turkish bargaining shopping
Taste kebabs for exotic experience
Saved by 627 users115 positive reviews
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One of the most beautiful and attractive East bazaars. There are many confectionary, spices, teas and things. Must visit
So nice place to visit to buy bags and clothes in the cheap wayAddress: grand bazaar
No.
9
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Istanbul Archaeological Museums
4.5
/5
167 reviews
7.2
Old City Sultanahmet | 802m from downtown
Phone +902125207740
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Near Gülhane Park & Topkapi Palace
1 million artifacts from various cultures
Saved by 187 users35% positive reviews
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Istanbul Archaeology Museum is the most important archaeological museum in Turkey and one of the most outstanding in the world. It is located in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace and houses more than 1 million artifacts, covering civilizations from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome to Byzantium and Ottoman Empire. It is almost zero distance from the remains of ancient civilizations and can be called a "time container". #One of my favorite museums
The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the richest archaeological museums in the world, with its rich collection of artifacts. It houses more than 1 million artifacts belonging to civilizations that existed within the territory of the late Ottoman Empire.
The main building of the complex, the Archaeological Museum, is one of the few buildings in the world that was built primarily as a museum.
While the dominant trend of idealism during the Classical period had a considerable impact, Hellenistic sculpture adapted classical techniques to create more realistic images that were in line with contemporary philosophical trends. One of the most important innovations of this period was the development of portrait sculpture, which reflected not only the psychological state of an individual but also social status. While the repertoire of the Classical period consisted mainly of sculptures of gods, goddesses, and heroes, the Hellenistic period saw the addition of realistic depictions of people from all walks of life, such as kings, philosophers, orators, great commanders, politicians, poets, and athletes. For example, heroes from Homer's epics and tragedies were often depicted, but there were also characters from everyday life, such as old fishermen, peasants, women, and children. Athens, Pergamon, Rhodes, Delos, Antioch, and Alexandria were the main centers of the school of sculpture. In the middle of the Hellenistic period, the Pergamon school of sculpture developed a new style, known as the "Hellenistic Baroque", characterized by an emphasis on depicting emotions.
Feel the different characters in the long river of history, learn about history and feel history through a museum tour.
No.
10
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Istiklal Avenue
4.7
/5
386 reviews
6.8
Taksim | 3.2 km from downtown
Phone +905324216164
Address: Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
No.6 of Night Attractions in Istanbul
Highlights:
3-mile walk through medieval Genoa
Consulates & churches along the street
Saved by 409 users125 positive reviews
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Istanbul Riverside
I said before that the Grand Bazaar is the big alley in Istanbul, and Istiklal Street is the Istanbul Riverside.
On the first day, we went to Taksim Square with a group tour, and only had one hour to go shopping. Of course, we didn't go shopping enough, so we arranged our time here for the second day's free travel.
We took the bus from the hotel to this area (it is said that the taxi price in Istanbul is expensive and there is traffic jam, because the traffic jam will be more expensive, so we chose to take the bus). We first went to the Rainbow Stairs, and then walked through a residential area to the nearby Carrefour. In the middle, we also went into a drugstore. The owner was very talkative and said that he had been to many places in China, and even to Tianjin and Hohhot. He was very kind. It was a mistake to go to Carrefour first. I bought a lot of things, which caused us to carry these things behind me.
After buying snacks and souvenirs, we came to Istiklal Street, which may be the busiest pedestrian street in Istanbul. There were a lot of people on the day we went. It can be seen that not only foreign tourists came to visit, but also locals came to shop. There are large and small shopping malls, restaurants, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, and clothing stores on the street. The types of shops are very complete. We went to Pandora, Mado, St. Anthony's Church, a baked potato shop, a regular restaurant barbecue shop, a street stall barbecue shop, a candy store, many clothing stores, Watsons, two shopping malls... I don't know if I have said it all. I walked around for a whole day and went back when it was dark. I bought a lot of things and ate local special barbecue. Although I spent the whole day on this street and didn't go anywhere else, there are really a lot of food, drinks and shopping on this street. Although it's a bit tiring, I had a great time. The food is much better when traveling independently than when traveling with a group.
Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Turkey is one of the busiest streets in Turkey. It gathers tourists from all over the world and is crowded with people. There are not only local specialties but also all kinds of shopping malls and clothing.
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