Things to do in Istanbul
In Istanbul's old quarter Sultanahmet, discover Ottoman history at Topkapi Palace and the huge domes of Haghia Sophia. Across Galata Bridge there are more contemporary sights, such as the Istanbul Modern in Tophane. Go to busy Beyoglu for the Pera Museum and Galata Mevlevihanesi. From the top of Galata Tower the Bosphorus stretches into the distance, and a Bosphorus boat trip passes Rumeli Hisari fortress. Most major attractions open 10am-5pm, and close on Mondays.
Istanbul Modern
Contemporary Turkish art
Located on Karakoy's waterfront, Istanbul Modern opened in 2004 as Turkey's
first modern art museum. The permanent gallery shows Turkish art from the
19th to early 20th century, and temporary photography exhibitions
downstairs. There's also a shop on the ground floor and a café.
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Cost
TL7; Thu free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (until 8pm Thu)
Address
4, Sahasi Antrepo, Liman Işletmeleri, Meclis-i Mebusan Çaddesi, Karaköy, Istanbul 34433
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 334 73 00
Pera Museum
Renovated Ottoman house
The Pera Museum opened in 2005 in a restored 19th-century Ottoman building in
Beyoglu and houses the private collections of Suna and Inan Kiraç. The five
floors of exhibition space include Ottoman portraits and a grand piano that
once belonged to opera diva Maria Callas.
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Cost
TL7; concessions TL3
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 12pm-6pm
Address
65, Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Tepebasi, Beyoglu, Istanbul 34443
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 334 9900
Archaeology Museum
Ancient archaeological site
The Archaeology Museum boasts a vast collection divided between three
buildings in the grounds of Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet. Exhibits date
back to Ancient Egypt and Rome but save your energy for the Museum of
Ancient Eastern Works, with carved marble sarcophagi and recently excavated
pieces.
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Cost
TL10; children free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 9am-7pm
Address
Osman Hamdi Bey Yokosu, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34400
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 520 7740/41
Transport
Tram to Gulhane and walk through Gulhane Park
Galata Mevlevihanesi
Dervish centre
Galata Mevlevihanesi in the district of Tunel is Turkey's only Whirling
Dervishes centre open to the public. The magnificent building and peaceful
courtyard includes displays of the Sufi sect's musical instruments and the
tomb of poet Galip Dede.
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Cost
TL5; Whirling Dervish ceremony TL25
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 9.30am-5pm
Address
15, Galip Dede Caddesi, Tunel, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 245 4141
Topkapi Palace
Royal Ottoman palace
Istanbul's most famous attraction, the vast Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet was
the hub of Ottoman power for three centuries. Visit the gleaming Treasury,
Mother of Sultan's apartment and the sultans' "family tree" of portraits.
The Harem is well worth the extra ticket.
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Cost
TL10; Harem extra TL10
Opening Hours
Wed-Mon 9am-5pm
Address
Topkapi Sarayi, Bab-i Humayun Caddesi, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34400
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 512 0480
Suleymaniye Mosque
Sinan's masterpiece mosque
Built by architect Mimar Sinan and completed in 1557, peaceful Suleymaniye
Mosque is a masterpiece of Ottoman design. The complex includes schools,
kitchen, hospital, cemetery and the marble tombs of Sultan Suleyman and
Sinan. Subtle stained-glass windows and Iznik tiles enhance the vast
interior.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-6.30pm; non-Muslims cannot enter during prayer time
Address
Prof Siddique Sami Onar Caddesi, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 513 3608
Transport
Tram to Beyazit or Eminönü
Kariye Museum
Byzantine mosaics
Kariye Museum, also known as Chora Church, contains some of Istanbul's finest
Byzantine frescos and mosaics. The 11th-century building in Edirnekapi has
remarkable scenes depicting 14th-century Christian iconography, which was
later covered over when the church became a mosque.
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Cost
TL15
Opening Hours
Thu-Tue 9am-4.30pm
Address
26, Kariye Camii Sokak, Edirnekapi, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 631 9241
Transport
Bus 86 or 87 to Edirnekapi
Haghia Sophia
Sixth-century Ottoman design
Haghia Sophia is an Istanbul highlight and its minarets are visible through
much of Sultanahmet. It was originally a Byzantine church, but was converted
into a mosque by Muslim conquerors. Today its immense domed interior is a
museum. Ascend to the viewing gallery to appreciate its size.
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Cost
TL10
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm (summer until 7pm)
Address
Sultanahmet Meydani, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 522 1754
Transport
Opposite the Blue Mosque in the heart of Sultanahmet.
Galata Bridge
Crossing the Golden Horn
The Galata Bridge stretches across the Golden Horn from Karakoy to Eminönü.
The upper level buzzes with traffic and local fishermen casting lines
enthusiastically into the water. Walk back towards Karakoy along the lower
level past its row of fish restaurants and bars.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
24 hours daily
Address
Galata Köprüsü, Istanbul
Transport
Any bus or tram to Eminönü or Karaköy
Blue Mosque
Ottoman architectural masterpiece
Few of Istanbul's attractions can match the 17th-century Blue Mosque for its
beauty and regal grandeur. Officially titled the Sultanahmet Mosque, it is
known as the Blue Mosque for the 20,000 blue hand-carved Iznik tiles which
adorn the interior ceiling.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-7pm; access is restricted during prayer times
Address
Sultanahmet Meydani, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 518 1319
Transport
Tram to Sultanahmet
Horse-drawn carriage in Buyukada
Islands of calm
The Princes' Islands are a half-hour boat ride from Kabatas and the largest,
Buyukada, is a peaceful retreat. Once used for exile or imprisonment
(Trotsky spent four years here), traffic is banned so the only transport is
horse and carriage.
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Cost
From TL20/hour
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Princes' Islands, Istanbul
Transport
Ferry from Kabatas Harbour
Çemberlitas Hamam
Sauna and scrub
Çemberlitas Hamam near Sultanahmet is the most famous of Istanbul's Turkish
hamams, designed by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in 1584 with
white marble interiors. A favourite with locals, the baths include hot stone
slabs and masseurs (or masseuses for women) who pummel your body.
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Cost
TL55; extra for massage
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-12am
Address
8, Vezirhan Caddesi, Cemberlitas, Istanbul 34440
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 511 7974
Bosphorus Boat Trip
Escape the urban hubbub
From Eminönü harbour, passenger boats travel up the Bosphorus and are a great
way to experience Istanbul's famous waterway and the border between Europe
and Asia. Swap the crowded streets for views of palaces, serene villages,
wooden summer houses and fishing harbours.
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Cost
Single fare from TL1.50; Bosphorus tours TL20
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-12pm; Bosphorus tours daily 10.35am-6.30pm
Address
Eminönü Limani, Eminönü, Istanbul 34480
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 444 4436
Galata Tower
Spectacular city views
The sturdy Galata Tower was built in 1384 as an observation point and today
its distinctive conical roof still looks over the Golden Horn. Take the lift
up 12 floors where the viewing gallery offers spectacular panoramic city
views of Topkapi Palace and mosques. Sunset is one of the best times to
go.
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Cost
TL10
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-8pm
Address
Büyük Hendek Sokak, Galata, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 293 8180
Rumeli Hisari
Coastal fortress
The three sturdy towers of Rumeli Hisari are part of a striking fortress in
the upper Bosphorus. Built in 1452 by Mehmet the Conqueror for the Ottoman's
final siege of Constaninople, it is also used as an occasional summer
concert venue.
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Cost
TL3
Opening Hours
Thu-Tue 9.30am-4.30pm
Address
Yahya Kemal Caddesi, Rumeli Hisari, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 263 5305
Transport
Bus 25E from Besiktas
