Are you looking for the most Instagrammable places in Istanbul? Here you can find our pick of the most Instagrammable and photogenic spots in the city to snap your perfect Istanbul photos and share on Instagram during your Istanbul visit. Istanbul is without a doubt one of the most photogenic cities in the world. You’ll definitely find lots of picturesque places in Istanbul that you can share and boast on your social media.
Quick Overview + Map
Insider Advice: Kickstart your Istanbul adventure with the Istanbul E-Pass or Istanbul Tourist Pass. These passes provide free access to around 70+ top attractions, tours and essential local services in the city with around 70% savings.
Heads Up: We have created a Google Map of these photo spots in Istanbul to make help you decide where to start faster. You can download it to your mobile phone and use offline while you’re in Istanbul!
The Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul
1. Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is one of the most popular tourist places in the city, as well as one of the top instagrammable places in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia is a former church and museum and declared as one of the world’s greatest architectural works and accepted as the 8th wonder of the world.
You can snap variety of great Instagram photos from both at the exterior and interior. It will be like stepping into the holy world of Christianity and Islam, merged on the shell-like apse and under an impressive dome, in a mysterious and mystical ambiance, and a wide range of architectural and art works coming from thousands of years.
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2. Topkapi Palace
Being one of world’s richest museums, the Topkapi Palace was the residence of the Ottoman sultans as well as the administrative and educational center of the Empire. Covering an area of about 700,000 m2, the palace is surrounded by the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. And on the land, it is surrounded by a 1,400-meters city walls known as the “Royal Walls” and with the Byzantine walls on the side facing the sea.
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You’ll find many photogenic spots at the palace including the beautiful gardens, pavilions, famous Harem, Hagia Irene Museum, etc.
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3. Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) is one of the most beautiful mosques and landmarks in the city. With its impressive Iznik tiles, 6 minarets, and the huge complex, you’ll definitely snap wonderful photos.
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4. Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern is one of the most impressive and mystical buildings in the city. It is an underground water reservoir that was built for the Byzantium Emperor Justinianus I in the the 6th century (532). The cistern is accessed by 52-step staircase and shelters 336 columns, each of which is 9 meters high and within a 4,8 meters distance from each other.
The two Medusa Heads, which are used as supports under the two columns at the northwest edge of the cistern, take the most interest and attracts the visitors for taking great Instagram photos.
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5. Fener & Balat
The former Greek neighborhood Fener and nearby the old Jewish quarter Balat, situated on the southern shore of Golden Horn, have very rich historical heritage and very popular tourist zone of Istanbul.
The region is very famous with both locals and tourists, also one of the top instagrammable places in Istanbul. The main squares are quite colorful with touristy cafes and restaurants. At the same time, the region is crowded with antique shops.
You can have a range of options to snap colorful and impressive Instagram photos here.
Wanna learn more about Fener & Balat?
6. Galata Bridge
The Galata bridge is situated at the mouth of the Golden Horn and connects Karakoy and Eminonu neighborhoods. Walking through the bridge, snap loads of photos with the great views of the city is a great attraction.
You can have majority of the city’s popular landmarks, historical sites, and Bosphorus at the backdrop.
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7. Galata Tower
One of the most popular places in Istanbul with all travelers’ Instagram accounts. The tower itself, its rooftop and the narrow pretty street around is 100% Instagram worthy. Galata Tower is an old Genoese tower overlooking the beautiful Istanbul and has a luxurious restaurant at the top.
On top, you’ll enjoy the panoramic views of city from one of the best point of views. You’ll also enjoy a short walking tour with a guide along the touristic Galata neighborhood, that has the living memories of different cultures, nationalities, religions.
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8. Bosphorus
The Bosphorus is a 19 miles long strait separating the two continents, Asia and Europe, as well as Marmara and Black Sea. The strait is one of the world’s most beautiful and charming natural formations and it will sure cheer up your hearts.
You can explore the Bosphorus and take Instagram impressive photos by cruising along and visiting the shores of both continents lined up with summer palaces, mansions, fortresses, groves, parks and gardens, by motorboats, yachts and public ferries.
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9. Dolmabahce Palace
One of the most glorious palaces situated on the banks of Bosphorus in Besiktas. A great photo spot for architecture and palace fans. The whole palace building is breath taking. The palace houses more than 50,000 objects along its hundreds of rooms.
The interior of the palace reflects the grandeur of the epoch, and designed like the luxurious European palaces.
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10. Ortakoy Mosque
Ortakoy Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in the city with an elegant architecture. It has an impression of standing on the water. It is also one of the most important symbols and top instagrammable places in Istanbul.
The mosque is situated by the Bosphorus shore along Ortakoy square and has many instagrammable spots around such as Bosphorus bridge at the background.
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11. Istiklal Street Nostalgic Tram
Istiklal Street is a 1,5 km. long colorful pedestrian street and grand boulevard cutting through Beyoglu and full of all kind of shops, restaurants, cafes, street shows. The nostalgic tram runs through the length of the avenue.
Instagram photos with the tram inside is one of the most popular and attractive ones.
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12. Flower Passage
Dating back to 1870, and once the White Russian refugees from the Bolshevik Revolution used to sell flowers here, the historical Flower Passage (Cicek Pasaji) is a popular arcade along the Istiklal Street where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere in its lively restaurants famous for the dinners of mezes, raki and gypsy musicians.
13. French Street
Located at the backstreets around Galatasaray Square, in the middle of Istiklal Street, the French Street is a lovely street made in French style. Previously known as Algeria Street, visitors may enjoy the taste of France and French influence at the lovely narrow alleys, pavements, beautifully restored terraced buildings, boutiques and galleries, patisseries, wine houses, cafes and restaurants specializing in French cuisine and wines.
14. St. Antony of Padua Church
The St. Antony of Padua Church is an Italian neo-Gothic style church that was built between 1906 and 1911, by the Italian architect Giulio Mongeri. It is one of the biggest churches in the city and has a lovely promenade along the Istiklal Street. You can snap great Instagram photos here.
15. Sapphire Shopping Mall
Located in Kagithane neighborhood, Sapphire is a great shopping mall where you can both enjoy the shopping and dining with the 360 degree panoramic views of Istanbul. You can enjoy the spectacular views of the city from the observation terrace from a height of 236 meters. Very Instagrammable!
16. Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden’s Tower is a fantastic tower on the sea at the entrance of the Bosphorus, along Uskudar coasts. It is the one of the most popular landmarks and monuments of the city. You can enjoy the Kuledebar Cafe of the tower. It is at the top of the tower with a balcony to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the city.
You can take the best Instagram photos from the Salacak shore, where the tower is about 150-200 meters at entrance of the Bosphorus.
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17. Camlica Hill
Camlica Hill is a great leisure and tourist area located in the Asian side of Istanbul. The hill offers great panoramic views of the city. The hill is the highest one to find the best views of Istanbul from 265 meters above the sea level.
There are also several cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy your views and Instagram snaps.
