Sightseeing
From majestic palaces and grand mosques to charming neighborhoods and scenic viewpoints, Istanbul is a city filled with incredible sights waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re interested in historical landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, cruising along the Bosphorus, or discovering lesser-known attractions, our guides help you plan the perfect sightseeing itinerary.
Get insider tips, must-visit locations, and the best ways to experience Istanbul’s rich history and culture.
Visit Istanbul Toy Museum: What to See, Tips & Nearby Spots
Most people arrive at the Istanbul Toy Museum thinking it’s mainly for kids. A quick stop. Something sweet to fill an hour. That idea...
Rumeli Fortress Museum Istanbul: Tickets, Hours, History & Views
Most first-time visitors assume the Rumeli Fortress Museum is a quick photo stop in Istanbul. Stone walls. A view. Ten minutes, then on to...
Istanbul Naval Museum, Besiktas: Visitor Guide, Hours, Tickets, Tips
Standing in Beşiktaş, with the Bosphorus moving steadily in front of you, it’s easy to forget how much of Istanbul’s story was shaped by...
Visiting Saint Antoine Catholic Church Istanbul: First-Time Guide
Istiklal Street rarely slows down in Istanbul. Music spills from doorways. Trams ring their bells. Crowds move with purpose. Then, almost without warning, a...
Visiting Çamlıca Hill Istanbul Guide: Views, Cafés & Mosque
Istanbul is usually experienced in pieces. One neighborhood at a time. One street, one view, one sound layered over another. Then you reach Çamlıca...
Visiting Fethi Pasha Park Istanbul: Bosphorus Views + Tips
Fethi Pasha Park is one of those places Istanbul locals quietly treasure. Tucked away on the Asian side between Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk, it offers...
Topkapi Palace vs Dolmabahçe Palace: Which Should You Visit?
Standing in Istanbul, it’s easy to assume you should see every palace on the list. In reality, most travelers end up choosing just one....
Buyukada Istanbul Guide 2026: Ferries, Things To Do, Beaches
You hear people call Buyukada Istanbul the island where time slows down, but you do not really understand that until the ferry pushes away...
Tekfur Palace Museum Istanbul: History, Tickets & Visitor Tips
Tucked beside the ancient city walls, Tekfur Palace Museum feels like a quiet pause in Istanbul’s long story. Many visitors walk past this area...
Visit the Museum of Illusions Istanbul: What to Expect & Tips
Most people walk into the Museum of Illusions Istanbul expecting a quick stop. A few funny rooms. Some photos. Fifteen minutes, maybe twenty. That...
Panorama 1453 Museum Istanbul: Visiting Guide, Hours & Tips
Some museums explain history. The Panorama 1453 Museum of History puts you inside it. Most visitors arrive expecting another historical stop. Panels. Dates. A...
Visiting Şerefiye Cistern Istanbul: History, Tickets & Tips
Most people come to Sultanahmet expecting crowds, noise, and long lines. Then they step into the Şerefiye Cistern, and everything drops away. This is...
Bosphorus Strait Istanbul Guide: History, Cruises, Tips for First-Timers
Most people arrive in Istanbul knowing one fact about the Bosphorus Strait. It separates Europe and Asia. That’s true. It’s also incomplete.The Bosphorus is...
What to See on a Bosphorus Cruise: Historical Landmarks
Most first-time visitors don’t realize this until they’re already on the water, camera halfway up. The Bosphorus is not one long postcard. It’s a...
Yoros Castle Anadolu Kavağı Guide: Views, Restaurant & How to Get
Perched above the point where the Bosphorus opens into the Black Sea, Yoros Castle feels like the edge of Istanbul in the best possible...
Joshua Hill Istanbul Guide: Tomb of Prophet Joshua, History
Standing high above the northern Bosphorus, Joshua Hill (Hz. Yuşa Tepesi) feels far removed from the pace of central Istanbul. This quiet hilltop in...