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 or go to busy Beyoglu for the Pera Museum. 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.
Museums and Galleries
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1. Istanbul Modern - Museums and Galleries
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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2. Pera Museum - Museums and Galleries
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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3. Archaeology Museum - Museums and Galleries
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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4. Caferaga Medresesi - Museums & Galleries
Show moreBuilt in 1559 by Sinan on the order of one of the eunuchs to the harem, this medrese hardly ever makes the guidebooks. It's actually one of those rare "living historical places", offering art and music exhibitions as well as workshops and courses on a variety of traditional Ottoman art forms. Rooms are also designed to be exhibition spaces for the works created by the students within. The courtyard oasis is a perfect place for a break from pounding the hard pavement of Sultanahmet.
Show this on mapE-mail this itemCost
Free admission
Opening hours
Daily 9am-7pm
Address
Caferiye Sok, Sogukkuyu Çikmazi 1, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
Telephone
0212/528-0089
Website
Attractions
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5. Haghia Sophia - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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.
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6. Kariye Museum - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
TL15
Opening hours
Thu-Tue 9am-4.30pm
Address
26, Kariye Camii Sokak, Edirnekapi, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 631 9241
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7. Topkapi Palace - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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8. Galata Bridge - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
24 hours daily
Address
Galata Köprüsü, Istanbul
Transport
Any bus or tram to Eminönü or Karaköy
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9. Blue Mosque - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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10. Suleymaniye Mosque - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
Special things to do
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11. Çemberlitas Hamam - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
TL55; extra for massage
Opening hours
Daily 6am-12am
Address
8, Vezirhan Caddesi, Cemberlitas, Istanbul 34440
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 511 7974
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12. Galata Tower - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
TL10
Opening hours
Daily 9am-8pm
Address
Büyük Hendek Sokak, Galata, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 293 8180
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13. Rumeli Hisari - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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14. Bosphorus Boat Trip - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
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15. Horse-drawn carriage in Buyukada - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
From TL20/hour
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Princes' Islands, Istanbul
Transport
Ferry from Kabatas Harbour
