Things to do in Istanbul - Places to Visit

Istanbul is Turkey's one of the most important city with it's history, economy, tourism and more. In Istanbul you can visit historical mosques, palaces, museums, parks, shopping centers. Istanbul's population is approximately 14 million. Throughout history, Istanbul has always been a favorite city.

You can find some of museums and historical places at Istanbul's districts like Beyazıt, Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, Eminönü. Istanbul has been the inspiration for many artists and writers throughout the history. Tourists can enjoy views of the city at restaurants which has Bosphorus sight in the Istanbul. But if you want to choose more cheaper way for eating you can buy fish and bread from street vendor.

Photo by Moyan Brenn / CC BY

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1478 and it is one of the most visited place by tourists in Istanbul. Dynasty members moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace in the middle of the 19th century. Ottoman Empire was ruled here for 400 years. Topkapi Palace was opened to visitors during Abdulmecit period. Many collections and historical monuments

are exhibited in the museums of Topkapi Palace.

Hagia Sophia

It was built by the Byzantine Emperor 1.Justinian in AD 532-537 years. It is among the most visited museums in Istanbul. In terms of art and architectural history it is one of the world's foremost monument.  It is located at Sultanahmet in Istanbul.

Islands

The islands were known as the “Prince Islands” in the past years. In the Byzantine Empire period, many courtier exiled to this islands, and they were forced to live there. The names of islands are Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınalıada ve Sedefadası. In the islands you can find restaurants serving delicious fish and  you can enjoy beautiful views of the island with bike renting or phaeton tour.

The Grand Bazaar (“Kapalı Çarşı” in Turkish)

The Grand Bazaar is very interesting place for tourists who visited Istanbul. It was builted by Fatih Sultan Mehmet for people who want to sell their products. It is located at between Beyazıt, Nuriosmaniye, Mercan. The Grand Bazaar is famous for its gold shops, carpet shops, leather shops and more. The Bazaar sometimes can be very crowded and some days it can be visited by half a million people during the day.

Maiden Tower (“Kız Kulesi” in Turkish)

Maiden's Tower is one of the most important historical buildings of Istanbul and it is almost one of the symbol of Istanbul. For my opinion especially in the night time watching the fascinating scenery of Maiden Tower while drinking Turkish black tea at Üsküdar coast is a wonderful feeling. There are lots of various rumors and legends about the reasons of construction of Maiden Tower. It is located at about 200 meter off shore of Salacık Üsküdar.

Basilica Cistern ("Yerebatan Sarnıcı" in Turkish)

Basilica Cistern was built by the Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. Basilica Cistern is one of the places visited by local and foreign tourists.It is interesting place with its architectural structure and historical features. Basilica Cistern is used by the Byzantine Emperor's to meet the palace's water requirements.

Gulhane Park

In the Ottoman Period Gülhane Park was important for Topkapi Palace and it was very beatiful with kinds of flowers.Gülhane Park was Topkapi palace's garden in the Ottoman period. Today Gülhane park is still very beatiful and it has varieties of tulips and other flowers. You can visit the Historiy of Islamic Science and Technology Museum (İslam Bilim ve Teknoloji Tarihi Müzesi in Turkish).

Rumeli Fortress

Rumeli Fortress located in the Sariyer district of Istanbul.It was built opposite the Anatolian Fortress by Fatih Sultan Mehmet before the conquest of Istanbul. Three great towers of the fortress has the world's one of the largest bastion. Today Rumeli Fortress is very popular for tourists and local visitors.

Anatolian Fortress

Anatolian Fortress was built in the 14th century by Yildirim Beyazit. The Purpose of construction of Anatolian Fortress is to conquer Istanbul. After visiting the Anatolia Fortress, you can make a trip by boat or you can have a rest in the restaurants and cafes. Some of the important buildings in the Anatolian Fortress are as follows: Küçüksu Pavilion(Kasrı in Turkish), Zarif Mustafa Pasa Seaside Mansion,  Amcazade Hüseyin Pasa Seaside Mansion.

Çırağan Palace

The palace was built by Sultan Abdulaziz and it has a great splendor and glory. People who want to see the special architecture of the palace are from all over the world. The Palace is located in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace was built by Sultan Abdulaziz and it is located in the Istanbul's district Üsküdar. It was built on an area of approximately 2,500 square meters. It has 6 halls, 24 rooms, 1 bath and 1 bathroom totaly. It was used as a summer palace for the Ottoman Sultans and the dynasty members in the late Ottoman period.

Dolmabahçe Palace

It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid in 1856. It is located in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district. The founder of Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died in this palace. Today, Dolmabahçe Palace is visited by many local and foreign tourists. In Dolmabahçe Palace you can see unique hand-woven carpets, unique decorations, beatiful architectural details, the palace collections and more.

Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)

It was built by the Ottoman Sultan I. Ahmed and it was opened for worship in 1616. It is located at Istanbul's Sultanahmet district. There are more than 20 thousand Iznik tiles in the mosque. The Mosque has mainly blue color Iznik tiles and engravings.  

Miniaturk

Miniaturk is one of the important and popular places to visit in Istanbul. It is located at Istanbul's Sütlüce district near to Haliç coast (Golden Horn). Miniaturk is Turkey's first miniature park and it was built on 60,000 square meters. There are 128 exhibited 1/25 scale models. Miniatürk has wide collection of models. Some of the models you will see in Miniaturk are Safranbolu Houses's model, Mount Nemrut ruins's model, Temple of Artemis's model, Hagia Sophia's model, Galata Tower’s model and more...

Beyoğlu and İstiklal Street

Beyoğlu is Istanbul's one of the most historical and important district for local and foreign tourists.Beyoğlu and Istiklal street have lots of arts galleries, culture centers, theaters, cinemas, art galleries, modern art galleries and more. Beyoğlu is an importance district for art lovers. Beyoğlu and also Beyoğlu and Istiklal Street have popular places for shopping and nightlife. Some places to visit in Beyoğlu are as follow: Atatürk Cultural Center, The Republic Monument (Cumhuriyet Anıtı in Turkish), Galata Tower, Ağa Mosque, Arap Mosque, Nostalgic Tramvay, Tünel Underground Funicular, Çiçek Pasajı, Asmalımescit, Cezayir street, Galatasaray Hamam and more...

Pierre Loti

Pierre Loti hill is located Istanbul's Eyüp district. You can watch spectacular view of Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Hill. The name of the hill comes from French novelist Pierre Loti who has lived in Istanbul fow a long time. You can have a rest at some historical cafes which located here.

The Spice Bazaar

The Spice Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaar in Istanbul and it is located Istanbul's Fatih - Eminönü distict. Spice Bazaar was built by Valide Turhan Sultan.There are 4 big doors, 2 small doors in the Spice Bazaar. It is located Istanbul's Fatih - Eminönü distirct.    

Some other important and touristic places in Istanbul are as below:

Soğuk Çeşme Street, Haseki Hürrem Bath, Cafer Ağa Madrasa, Yedikule Fortress, The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (Tekfur Palace), Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Panorama 1453 Museum,  and more.