11 of the Best Tourist Areas in Istanbul, Turkey in 2026

Today we are preparing to present the best tourist areas in Istanbul, Turkey in 2026. The city of Istanbul is one of Turkey’s main cities economically and socially, stretching across Europe and Asia along the narrow Bosphorus Strait.

The Old City strongly reflects the cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air Hippodrome served for centuries as a site for chariot races, and the Egyptian obelisks have also remained.

There are many outstanding tourist landmarks in Istanbul, such as Hagia Sophia from the Byzantine era, famous for its towering sixth-century dome and its rare Christian mosaics. Istanbul is also distinguished by monuments dating back to the Roman era.

The best tourist areas in Istanbul have been known for centuries. Istanbul has been the subject of countless songs, stories, and tales. The city has never stopped astonishing and inspiring world-famous artists.

However, some people may need to step back and see the bigger picture in order to fully appreciate Istanbul’s beauty. This collection of stunning images will remind you of the breathtaking beauty that you may have taken for granted.

Istanbul is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world and among the best tourist destinations, shaped by empires over the centuries.

The colony of Byzantium was founded around 1000 BC and later became Constantinople, the great capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Ottoman conquest of the city, it retained its glorious position as the heart of their empire.

The city (officially renamed Istanbul after the establishment of the Turkish Republic) is freely spread with magnificent remnants of its long and illustrious history, and the sights here will impress even the most bored visitors.

In addition to the “big four” (Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar), be sure to leave enough time to explore other attractions in the best tourist areas of Istanbul.

Although many attractions are located in or near the Old City of Sultanahmet, there is also a wonderful range of things to do throughout the more outlying districts of the city. Plan your trip using this list of the best tourist attractions in Istanbul.

In a city like Istanbul, with a population of more than 14 million people, it can be difficult to know the best way to spend your time in the best tourist areas of Istanbul. It is important to strike the right balance between sightseeing and discovering the city’s cultural offerings and activities.

There is plenty of time to explore other highlights, such as dining in restaurants and cafés, meeting locals, and enjoying Turkish culture. The best tourist areas in Istanbul are not only popular locally, but have also become a favorite destination for international tourists. Below are some interesting facts about Istanbul that will certainly help you learn more about this great city:

1- Galata Tower

One of the finest tourist landmarks in Istanbul is Galata Tower. This slender tower, which stands 66.9 meters (220 feet) tall, was originally called the Tower of Christ and was the highest point of the walls of the Genoese colony of Galata. Most of the walls disappeared long ago, but the great tower, with its walls measuring 3.75 meters (12 feet) thick, still stands.

Galata Tower has dominated the Beyoğlu skyline since 1348 and still offers the best panoramic views of the city.

From above, you can see the Golden Horn, Seraglio Point, and Old Istanbul as viewed from Galata Tower looking south.

There is a story about how, in 1638, Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi strapped some wings to his body and flew (or more likely glided) across the Bosphorus Strait to Üsküdar.

Why he did this once, no one really knows, nor whether he survived…

Until the 1960s, the tower served as a fire watchtower. Today, the upper floors host a panoramic balcony.

The panoramic balcony, which surrounds the top row of windows, is narrow and exposed to the weather, and is not recommended for anyone who suffers from a fear of heights.

For the full effect, try to be here at the time of the call to prayer, preferably the sunset call.

The balcony is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. in summer). There is an entrance fee.

The neighborhood around Galata Tower, abandoned since the 1960s, was once filled with “hüzün” (melancholy), a feeling emphasized in Orhan Pamuk’s wonderful memoir Istanbul: Memories and the City.

However, in recent years, the entire area from Galata Tower up to Tünel Square, including the Swedish Consulate General, the Deutsche Schule (German High School), and other Ottoman-era institutions, has undergone remarkable restoration.

Today you will find stylish cafés, art galleries, design firms, shops, and restaurants along its narrow streets.

This neighborhood has become a place where foreign visitors come to rent apartments and enjoy the sights, sounds, flavors, and pleasures of Beyoğlu.

2- The Egyptian Bazaar

The Egyptian Bazaar is one of the oldest shopping areas in Istanbul. Due to the structure of the building, the bazaar became one of the city’s major commercial centers. Located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, it is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

The market is a short distance from Eminönü. The bathhouse in front of the bazaar can give you a pleasant and relaxing time. You can enjoy your time with your children and meet your shopping needs at the market.

Although it is smaller than the Grand Bazaar in size, it is one of the important places that foreign tourists cannot pass by. Just like the Grand Bazaar, the two main gates of the Egyptian Bazaar connect Eminönü and Sultanahmet.

The Spice Bazaar is famous. All kinds of spices and traditional delicacies welcome you with delicious aromas. Accepting at least one foreign currency in addition to the Turkish lira increases its customer base.

Two major fires in the history of the bazaar were restored through renovations. The Egyptian Bazaar is built in an L shape and is located to the west of the Yeni Mosque. It is called the Egyptian Bazaar because it was built using taxes collected from Cairo. There are a total of six gates in the market. Throughout history, spices and herbs believed to be healing remedies were sold here.

The construction of the Egyptian Bazaar was initiated by the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV, Turhan Hatice Sultan, as part of the foundation of the New Mosque. It began in 1660 under the architect Kasım Ağa and was completed by architect Mustafa Ağa in 1664. From the eighteenth century onward, it became known as the Egyptian Bazaar because spices arrived from Egypt to Istanbul.

The bazaar was renovated by the Istanbul Municipality between 1940 and 1943. It is one of the oldest covered bazaars in Istanbul.

Today, the Egyptian Bazaar is the second-largest covered market in Istanbul. The market, which became a center for spices coming from Egypt in the sixteenth century, distributed these goods to the entire world. Spices, perfumes, and medicinal plants were sold by vendors known as herbalists.

During the Ottoman period, the Spice Route, which began with the trade of perfumes and spices from India and other eastern countries, was largely conducted through the Egyptian Bazaar.

The Egyptian Bazaar is a vast market where dried plants, various herbs, and hundreds of types of spices came together throughout history like a magical remedy. It is one of the first places that comes to mind when speaking about the history of Istanbul and even of our country.

3- The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul

This bazaar is one of the oldest and finest tourist landmarks in Istanbul and the largest in the city. It is located within a huge covered area that feels like a living warehouse. The high domed ceilings shelter 60 streets and more than 5,000 shops. It receives between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is a kind of well-organized chaos, filled with larger-than-life characters and bursts of color in every corner.

Although it is a wonderful shopping area, you should be mindful of what to buy and what to avoid in terms of authentic goods versus cheap or fake items aimed at naïve tourists. It can be tricky, but bargaining is recommended, as long as you do not offer an insultingly low price that could offend shopkeepers.

Much of the bazaar is divided into categories, such as leather goods, spices, and ceramics, which makes it a little easier to find what you are looking for amid the madness. It also allows you to bargain between vendors, something they are more than happy to do.

We managed to get some amazing Turkish delight, with the shop owner slicing large rolls dusted with powdered sugar, rather than the lower-quality sweets sold in bulk. Although what we bought was slightly more expensive, the difference was enormous.

There are also slices of pomegranate and pistachio to buy—best enjoyed with some sweet tea. You can find small tea sets with six different colored glasses, which certainly stand out from the plain glass and gold sets seen everywhere else.

The bazaar really encourages conversation with vendors about what you need and how much you want to pay. If you are uncomfortable, take someone who can negotiate on your behalf. Set yourself a limit based on what you want, and check several shops to get an idea of the average price before making a final decision. There is nothing worse than buying something immediately and later realizing it was much cheaper elsewhere. Think of the money you could have saved and spent elsewhere.

4- Hagia Sophia Museum

Hagia Sophia has stood in the heart of Old Istanbul for 1,500 years and is one of the city’s finest landmarks. This architectural wonder of the ancient world, whose history and transformation into a museum we explore here, is considered one of the most important historical monuments in the world.

Hagia Sophia, meaning “Holy Wisdom,” was the main temple of Byzantine Constantinople (as a church) and later of Ottoman Istanbul (as a mosque) for hundreds of years. Today, it represents both religions.

The building was completed in 537 AD and was the largest domed structure in the world at the time. With its dome rising 49 meters above the ground, it captivated medieval visitors. Many struggled to comprehend its architectural genius and thus attributed spiritual meanings to it. People sought refuge beneath its vast roof whenever earthquakes struck the city or when it was besieged by enemies.

The great dome of Hagia Sophia collapsed in 557 due to a catastrophic earthquake. Emperor Justinian, the greatest of the Byzantine emperors, summoned Isidore the Younger to repair it. He raised the dome by more than 7 meters and created a new dome that stands 56 meters above the ground. This second-generation dome still stands today.

The church housed a vast collection of sacred relics, including a silver iconostasis measuring 15 meters (49 feet) long. It was the focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly a thousand years and witnessed the excommunication of Patriarch Michael I Cerularius by Pope Leo IX in 1054, an act usually regarded as the beginning of the Great Schism.

In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II, who later ordered the building to be converted into a mosque. The bells, altar, icons, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many mosaics were plastered over. Islamic features such as the mihrab and four minarets were added during the Ottoman period. It remained a mosque until 1931, when it was closed to the public for four years. In 1935, it was reopened as a museum by the Republic of Turkey.

5- Topkapi Palace Museum

In this exploration of Istanbul’s finest landmarks, Topkapi Palace stands out as a remarkable place. If these walls could speak, what harsh tales they would tell. It was home to suspicious sultans, powerful mothers, hidden concubines, and eunuchs—where intrigue and scandal were the norm. This is history.

Topkapi Palace served as the imperial palace of the Ottoman Empire from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century and is the second most visited tourist destination in Istanbul, after Hagia Sophia. It consists of four vast courtyards and a magnificent harem, covering an area of 700,000 square meters (7.5 million square feet). Visiting its many rooms and reading their stories offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Ottoman rulers.

There is much to explore in the palace, allowing you to spend several hours or even an entire afternoon depending on your interest. For those short on time, the harem and the treasury should not be missed.

On the left, you will see the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene. Entry requires an additional fee unless you have free access through the five-day Istanbul Museum Pass. There is not much to see inside, so in my opinion, it is not worth the extra admission cost.

The harem is one of the highlights of Topkapi Palace. If you have only a few hours, you should spend them here. Entry to the harem requires an additional fee but is free with the five-day Istanbul Museum Pass. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed at a time, so if you arrive when the palace opens at 9:00 a.m., head straight there to avoid long lines.

It is interesting to learn that the harem was not, by definition, a place of indulgence as commonly believed. In fact, it was the residence of the imperial family. The word “harem” literally means “forbidden” or “private” and refers to a sacred space not open to everyone. Perhaps all that privacy contributed to people’s exaggerated perceptions.

6- The Blue Mosque

Known as the Blue Mosque, officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it was built in the early seventeenth century and has been an active place of worship ever since. Today, it is also a famous tourist attraction and a familiar part of Istanbul’s skyline.

Regardless of your religious beliefs, the grandeur of the Blue Mosque resonates deeply. The exterior architecture is impressive, though not blue.

The mosque’s nickname comes from its interior walls, covered with intricate and beautiful tile decorations, all naturally illuminated by sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows. The artwork on the domed ceilings is captivating, especially considering it was created more than 400 years ago.

As with all mosques that have become popular tourist attractions for people of other faiths, the Blue Mosque closes briefly to the public during the five daily prayers, so plan your visit accordingly and dress appropriately. Entry is completely free, so do not be misled by anyone claiming otherwise. All non-Muslims must enter from the western side.

Look closely at the domes of the Blue Mosque. The courtyard is as large as the mosque itself. The sultan was criticized for building a mosque with six minarets, as the Great Mosque of the Kaaba in Mecca also had six minarets at the time. He resolved this issue by ordering the construction of a seventh minaret at the Great Mosque in Mecca.

The Blue Mosque is located east of the old Hippodrome. It was built by Mehmed Ağa for Sultan Ahmed I and completed in 1616. It features 260 windows that illuminate the magnificent blue Iznik tiles inside. Although only four minarets are visible in many views, the mosque actually has six.

Unfortunately for Sultan Ahmed I, he did not have much time to enjoy his mosque. He died at the age of 27, just one year after its completion.

An octagonal fountain now serves only as decoration. Ritual ablutions are now performed in the outer courtyard.

Another view from inside the Blue Mosque shows the calligraphy by Seyyid Kasım Gubari, the greatest calligrapher of his time, who was commissioned to write verses from the Quran throughout the mosque.

There is also a carpet museum attached, displaying a collection of Turkish carpets spanning the entire Ottoman period. Some of these were used in the sultans’ tents during military campaigns.

7- Istanbul Entertainment and Life Center (Isfanbul)

The Istanbul Entertainment and Life Center became the first theme park-style attraction among Istanbul’s major landmarks. It has become a favorite place in Turkey and Europe for shopping and entertainment and has been operating since 2013.

Established in Istanbul on an area of 120,000 square meters, it has a capacity of 15,000 people. The center offers shopping, entertainment, dining, and leisure all in one place.

After working for many years in the retail and entertainment sectors in the United States, Cenk Hayırlıoğlu returned to Turkey along with the investment group Gürsoy and Vialand Venezia to establish the shopping center in cooperation with public theme park projects.

Since its establishment, the Istanbul shopping center has attracted the attention of foreign guests, especially from the Middle East, Azerbaijan, Russia, Lebanon, and Egypt.

In particular, tourists from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait rarely leave Istanbul without visiting this shopping center.

The amusement park does not have a separate parking area. You should park in the theme park and shopping mall parking. To enter the amusement park directly, go through the covered area that leads to the shopping mall; the park entrance is located in the upper left section. If you park on the upper level near the left side, you can go straight to the amusement park using the escalators in that section.

The amusement park’s capacity is limited, and only visitors who have benefited from this capacity are allowed entry. Shuttle services are provided from 16 different points across Istanbul, with the first service starting at 10:00 a.m. The shuttle service, operated by a private company, continues until the park closes in the evening.

The amusement park contains 29 different rides for children and families who enjoy excitement. Specific age and height limits are set for all rides to ensure that guests can enjoy their time safely.

8- Dolmabahçe Palace

The architectural models used in Dolmabahçe Palace were mostly taken from Turkey, but some were also selected from the former territories of the Ottoman Empire that now lie outside Turkey’s borders.

Until the seventeenth century, this site was one of the bays of the Bosphorus Strait. In mythology, it is the place where the legendary Argonaut ship anchored in search of the Golden Fleece.

Dolmabahçe Palace was built in Istanbul as a modern, European-style palace for the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. It occupies a prime location overlooking the Bosphorus, with views toward the Asian side of the city.

Completed in 1856, it is entirely different from the older Topkapi Palace, which consists of smaller buildings arranged around a series of courtyards. Although Dolmabahçe resembles European palaces such as Versailles and Schönbrunn on the outside, it feels much more Asian in character on the inside.

The palace is divided into two sections: the state apartments and the private apartments, known as the harem section. Guided tours are conducted in both areas, taking visitors through important rooms and often stopping for brief explanations. You can use a tour guide if you wish.

Dolmabahçe contains a number of notable rooms that you will see during the tours. First is the hall that connects the state apartments with the harem section. The styles of the two parts of the palace are very different. The lavish state apartments are grand in decoration, space, and furnishings, while the harem section, where the sultan actually lived, is simpler and more modest. The connecting hall is interesting because it combines elements of both, creating a lived-in, family atmosphere.

Another “homely” touch in the harem section is the ornate tiled stoves found in every room, each one different yet beautiful. The sultan’s marble bath in the state apartments offers a magnificent view of the Bosphorus. During palace tours, the most impressive room is saved for last: a full-height ceremonial hall, complemented by one of the most impressive chandeliers in the world.

Dolmabahçe Palace is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on Mondays and Thursdays. The palace has a daily capacity of 3,000 visitors.

9- Basilica Cistern

A visit to Old Istanbul (ancient Constantinople) would not be complete without seeing the Basilica Cistern, which is certainly one of the best tourist areas in Istanbul. There is a great deal of history in this city, as in many European cities, but the remnants of the great Byzantine Empire are unlike anything you will find elsewhere.

Naturally, visiting the Basilica Cistern—an ancient underground reservoir designed to store water—is fascinating. It was built in the sixth century by order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns beneath the city. This particular cistern originally served the needs of the Great Palace of Constantinople and continued to supply water to Topkapi Palace after the Ottoman conquest in 1453.

This is the kind of place that ignites the imagination of any child—or adult. You descend slowly down 52 stone steps into the depths of the ancient reservoir, greeted by cool, damp air. The vast chamber, composed of 336 marble columns, is dimly lit with soft orange lights, creating a breathtaking scene.

A small walkway runs through the center of the cistern, allowing you to admire its beauty. Today, only a few feet of water remain at the bottom, but in ancient times it could store up to 80,000 cubic meters of water—enough to fill 27 Olympic swimming pools. Fish still swim happily in the shallow water, just as they did 1,500 years ago. It is said that they were originally used as a security measure: if the water were poisoned, the unfortunate floating fish would tell the tale.

One of the highlights of visiting the Basilica Cistern is the pair of Medusa heads hidden at the far end of the cavern. There are conflicting opinions about the origin of these marble sculptures of the mythical monster. One is placed sideways, and the other upside down, at the base of two columns.

Some believe they were simply reused as column supports because they were the wrong height. Others suggest that Medusa heads were often placed in monuments for protective reasons, and positioning them low to the ground was meant to neutralize the monster’s fearsome gaze. The mystery remains.

10- Eyüp Sultan Mosque

The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is located outside the walls of Constantinople, near the Golden Horn, in the Eyüp district on the European side of Istanbul. It is one of the best tourist areas in the city. Built in 1458, it was the first mosque constructed by the Ottoman Turks after their conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The complex is situated on the shores of the Golden Horn.

The mosque, tomb, and bathhouse still stand today, although the soup kitchen for the poor no longer exists. The first structure built in the complex was the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, who is said to have hosted the Prophet during his first visit to Medina.

The mosque stands on the site where Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (known in Turkish as Eyüp Sultan), the standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), died during the Arab siege of Constantinople in 670 AD. Some personal belongings of the Prophet Muhammad are preserved inside this mosque, while others are kept in Topkapi Palace and several other mosques in Istanbul, which was the final seat of the Islamic caliphate.

Two prominent structures in this area—the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the adjacent tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari—attract thousands of visitors from all over Turkey each year. In 1459, Sultan Mehmed continued building the mosque, a madrasa, a soup kitchen, and a bathhouse, turning the site into a complete complex.

This historic district, located outside the city walls on the southern tributaries of the Golden Horn, takes its name from Eyüp, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. Mehmed II ordered the construction of an ornate tomb and a magnificent mosque in honor of this distinguished companion.

The first mosque was built in 1458, but it collapsed and was rebuilt by order of Sultan Selim III between 1798 and 1800 by Uzun Hüseyin Efendi. The mosque was last restored during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. After lightning struck the minaret overlooking the sea, the upper balcony was rebuilt. The mosque can be classified as an eight-tier mosque.

Miniatürk Museum and Park, Istanbul

Visiting Istanbul for a short time and want a history lesson from ancient times to the modern era through its finest landmarks? There is only one place that can do that—and in a fun way: Miniatürk.

Miniatürk is an open-air museum that takes you on a journey through Turkey’s history. As you walk along the paths, you come face to face with all of Turkey’s ancient and modern landmarks. What’s more, with the ticket you receive at the entrance, you can scan the barcode at each display and listen to commentary about what you are viewing (available in Turkish, English, Arabic, and German).

At first glance, the place may seem small, but once you start walking, you can easily spend a good two hours wandering around without even stopping to listen to every commentary. It is an enjoyable place for both children and adults, offering visitors a comprehensive and entertaining lesson.

The park contains 126 models built at a scale of 1:25: 59 structures from Istanbul, 55 from Anatolia (central Turkey), and 12 from former Ottoman territories now outside Turkey’s borders. The models are made from polyurethane-based materials, which are durable under outdoor conditions.