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.
Which Bosphorus Cruise Tour Should You Take in Istanbul?
Most first-time visitors think choosing a Bosphorus cruise Istanbul is a simple booking step. Pick a boat. Pick a time. Done. In reality, this...
Visiting Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum: Tickets & Tips
Most people come to Sultanahmet thinking they already know the story of Hagia Sophia. Big dome. Long lines. Layers of empires. Then they step...
Best Day Trips from Istanbul: Where to Go, How Long It Takes
Most first-time visitors think the best day trips from Istanbul are the farthest ones. Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Troy. Big names feel like smart use of...
8 Accessible Istanbul Attractions: Wheelchair-friendly guide
Istanbul is not an easy city. It climbs when you don’t expect it. Streets tilt suddenly. Pavements change texture without warning. For wheelchair users,...
Best Istanbul City Walking Tours Guide for First-Time Visitors
Most first-time visitors assume an Istanbul walking tour is just a route with stops. Start here. Walk there. Listen. Done. The reality feels different...
17 The Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Top Photo Spots
Here’s the thing most guides don’t say out loud. The most Instagrammable places in Istanbul rarely disappoint because of the location. They disappoint because...
Top 8 Free Museums & Art Galleries in Istanbul
Istanbul has a quiet advantage most visitors miss. You don’t have to spend much, or anything at all, to experience serious art, history, and...
7 Best Museums in Istanbul for Kids & Families
Taking kids to museums can go two ways. Either it turns into a long exercise in patience. Or something clicks, and suddenly they’re asking...
Top Wheelchair Accessible Museums in Istanbul + Tips
Accessibility in Istanbul is uneven. Anyone who’s traveled here knows that. One street works perfectly. The next suddenly doesn’t. One museum feels effortless. Another...
Istanbul Private Bosphorus Yacht Cruise: Luxury, Prices, Routes
A private Bosphorus yacht cruise Istanbul sounds indulgent on paper. In practice, it’s often the most straightforward way to experience the Bosphorus without friction....
Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tours for First-Timers (City & Bosphorus)
Here’s a small truth most guides skip. The best Istanbul sightseeing tours are not about doing more. They’re about choosing the right kind of...
Top 20 Hidden Gems in Istanbul even Locals don’t Know
Most people don’t struggle with Istanbul because there’s too little to see. They struggle because there’s too much, packed too tightly, explained too loudly,...
Famous Squares and Streets of Istanbul: First-Time Visitors’ Guide
You don’t really meet Istanbul at a monument. You meet it at a corner. In a square where people are deciding where to go...
7 Fantastic & Beautiful Towers & Fortresses in Istanbul
Most cities explain themselves at street level. Istanbul explains itself from above. Climb a tower here, and the city suddenly makes sense. Water becomes...
Istanbul Parks & Gardens Guide: 23 Most Beautiful Parks & Groves
Most people meet Istanbul through stone. Mosques. Streets. Walls. What surprises first-time visitors is how much of the city lives in green pockets between...
Istanbul Palaces and Pavilions Guide: 23 Iconic Sites
Most visitors think of Istanbul’s palaces as symbols of authority. Gates. Thrones. Ceremony. What often gets missed is how these spaces gradually changed. Power...