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.
Sultanahmet Blue Mosque Istanbul Guide: Hours, Dress Code & Tips
The first thing that surprises most people when they arrive at the Blue Mosque isn’t the size or the color. It’s the pause. You’re...
Hagia Sophia Guide For First Time Visitors: Tickets, Hours, Rules
You’d think visiting Hagia Sophia would be simple. It’s the most famous building in the city, everyone recommends it, and every guidebook tells you...
Visiting Topkapi Palace: First Time Visitor Guide to Tickets, Harem
You probably expect a trip to Topkapi Palace to feel like a slow walk through old rooms. The funny thing is that most first...
Visiting Basilica Cistern Istanbul: First Time Visitor Guide, Tickets
There is something quiet and unexpected about your first steps into the Basilica Cistern Istanbul. The air cools. The light softens. And suddenly you’re...
Dolmabahce Palace Guide For First Timers: Tickets, Harem
There is a moment almost every traveler shares the first time they walk up to Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul. You exit the modern streets of...
Visiting Istanbul Archaeological Museums: Tickets & Our Best Tips
Most first-time visitors assume the Istanbul Archaeological Museums are a quick stop. A box to tick between Topkapı and lunch. That assumption is what...
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art: What to See, Tickets, Visitor Tips
Standing on the Bosphorus waterfront, with ferries gliding past and the city stretching behind you, Istanbul Modern, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art doesn’t...
Visiting Galata Tower Istanbul: Tickets, Hours, Views, Tips
There is a moment every visitor remembers. You step out onto the circular balcony of Galata Tower Istanbul, the wind brushes your face, and...
Visiting Grand Bazaar Istanbul Guide: Hours, Tips & What to Buy
The Grand Bazaar Istanbul surprises most first-time visitors for the wrong reason. It’s not the size. Or the crowds. It’s how quickly things feel...
Visiting Saint Antoine Catholic Church Istanbul: First-Time Guide
Istiklal Street rarely slows down. Music spills from doorways. Trams ring their bells. Crowds move with purpose. Then, almost without warning, a red-brick façade...
How to Visit Fener Greek Patriarchate & St. George Church Istanbul
Situated along the Golden Horn, away from Istanbul’s busiest routes, the Fener Greek Patriarchate feels very different from the city’s headline attractions. This is...
Museum of Islamic Science and Technology Istanbul: Visitor Guide
Most visitors walk in expecting diagrams and dusty explanations. That expectation doesn’t last long. The Museum of Islamic Science and Technology focuses on one simple...
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts Istanbul: First-Time Visitor Guide
Most people walk into this museum expecting decoration. Beautiful objects behind glass. Something quiet before the Blue Mosque. That expectation shifts fast. The Museum of...
Istanbul Great Palace Mosaics Museum: Our Best Visiting Tips
Most people walk past this museum without realizing what they’re missing. They hear “mosaics” and picture a quick stop. Decorative. Optional. That’s the wrong...
Visiting Kariye Mosque (Chora Church) Istanbul: Tickets & Hours
Some of Istanbul’s most powerful places don’t announce themselves loudly. They sit a little outside the main routes, reward patience, and ask you to...
Visiting Maiden’s Tower Istanbul (Kız Kulesi): Tickets, Boats, Tips
Most people think Maiden’s Tower Istanbul is just a photo stop. Boat out, snap a picture, boat back. Ten minutes. Done. That assumption quietly...