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.
Cycling in Istanbul: Top Routes, Bike Tours, E-Bikes, Segway, Rentals
Istanbul is usually explained in extremes. Too crowded. Too hilly. Too chaotic for bikes. And yet, once you get on two wheels, a different...
Our Istanbul Museum Pass Review: Is It Worth Buying For Your Trip?
There’s a moment every first time visitor has in Sultanahmet. You walk past Topkapi Palace Museum, see a line curling into the courtyard, and...
Istiklal Street Istanbul Guide: Things to Do, See, Eat & Nightlife
The first thing most first-time visitors notice on Istiklal Street isn’t a landmark in Istanbul. It’s the momentum. Music spilling from side doors. Footsteps...
Pierre Loti Hill Istanbul Guide: How to Visit, Tips & Best Views
If this is your first time in Istanbul, Pierre Loti Hill often comes up as one of those places everyone mentions. Photos look calm....
Eminönü Square Istanbul | Top Things to Do, See & Local Tips
Arriving at Eminönü Square feels immediate. Loud ferries. Ringing tram bells. The smell of grilled fish drifting from the shore. You don’t ease into...
Ortaköy Square Istanbul Guide: Things to Do, Walking Routes
Arriving at Ortaköy Square feels instantly familiar, even on a first visit. Water right in front of you. The bridge stretching overhead. People sitting...
Guide to Sultanahmet Square (Hippodrome) | Best Tips for First-Timers
Standing in Sultanahmet Square feels a little disorienting at first. Not because it’s confusing, but because so much history sits in one open space...
Taksim Square Istanbul | Things to Do, See, Info & Local Tips
Arriving at Taksim Square rarely feels planned. You surface from the metro, hear the city before you see it, and suddenly you’re in the...
Visiting Emirgan Park Istanbul Guide: Tulips, Cafés & Views
Emirgan Park (Emirgan Grove or Woods) sits right on the Istanbul Bosphorus in the leafy Emirgan neighborhood and spreads across a surprisingly large stretch...