19 Amazing Things to Do in Istanbul on Your Visit

Istanbul is one of the best and most interesting cities in the world you can visit. Not only is it the only city in the world that spans across 2 continents, but it is also a perfect mix of Middle Eastern and European cultures. In this travel guide, I am sharing with you 19 amazing things to do in Istanbul on your visit.

The activities range from exploring the main attractions and historical sites to food tasting and unique experiences, so you will be able to find plenty of things to do in Istanbul that suit your travel style.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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📖 Read my 4 Days in Istanbul Itinerary: See the Best of Istanbul blog post for more.

✅ Consider getting this Istanbul Tourist Pass to save money.

Visit Hagia Sophia

No visit to Istanbul can’t be complete without visiting Hagia Sophia, its main historical site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built in the 6th century Hagia Sophia is the first church ever that constructed a fully pendentive dome, which changed the history of architecture and influenced many buildings in the world, including the Blue Mosque on the opposite side of it.

Hagia Sophia was the most important Byzantine Church until Mohamed the Conqueror who turned it into a mosque in 1453. In 1935 it was turned into a museum, but then president Erdogan turned it into a mosque again in 2021.

That means if you’d love to visit inside (which is a must really), you need to cover yourself as a woman and dress properly no matter the gender.

✅ I recommend buying tickets online to skip waiting in lines.

Admire the Mosques

Hagia Sophia largely influenced the style of the Ottoman mosques, which are all designed with several domes, with one of them being the main and the largest one.

To me personally Ottoman style mosques are the most beautiful and thankfully there are many of those in Istanbul.

My favourites are the Blue Mosque aka Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque where Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Hurrem are buried.

Both are free to visit, so don’t miss them.

Explore Ottoman Palaces

I had to start this list of things to do in Istanbul with historical sites because this is what makes Istanbul – Istanbul.

My recommendation is to explore both Ottoman palaces, starting with Topkapi Palace where the first sultan residency and administrative centre was established.

My favourite parts were the Harem, Privy Chamber and Iftar Kiosk.

✅ As the lines are pretty long, I recommend getting Topkapi Palace tickets online.

Additionally, don’t miss Dolmabahçe Palace which became an Ottoman residency and administrative centre in 1856.

✅ I also recommend getting your Dolmabache Palace tickets online.

Stay in a Hotel with Hagia Sophia Views

It’s not a secret that I love staying in hotels with the views. When it comes to Istanbul, I recommend staying in a hotel with Hagia Sophia views.

✅ My favourite is Seven Hills Hotel which has an amazing terrace and one of the best views in the city.

📖 Check my 10 Best Istanbul Hotels with Hagia Sophia View blog post for more.

💡Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration works and is covered in scaffolding. There is no known timetable when the work may end, so double check before your trip.

Try the Fish Sandwich at Galata Bridge

Istanbul fish sandwiches are being served daily in the traditional boats tied to the quay and also at little restaurants beneath the Galata Bridge.

It’s one of the most popular dishes in Istanbul, so if you’re a foodie, this is a must-try.

📖 Read my 7 Days in Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul & Aegean Region blog post.

Shop in Istanbul’s Famous Bazaars

Shopping in Istanbul is so fun to do!

The best bazaars are the Grand Bazaar, which is the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with 61 covered streets and over 4000 shops, and Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar for the various spices.

Just don’t forget to bargain as this is an essential part of Turkish culture.

Visit Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern is a huge underground Roman water source with 336 marble columns. It’s one of the most unique things you can do in Istanbul.

✅ I recommend getting tickets online.

Have a Drink with the View

Istanbul really has amazing views and there are a lot of places where you can have drinks and enjoy the city views.

Again, my favourite is Seven Hills Hotel. You can visit the rooftop terrace even if you’re not a hotel guest.

Additionally, the Fatih area near Suleymaniye Mosque has plenty of rooftop bars with amazing views.

Do the Costume Photoshooting

Dressing up in costumes and having photoshoots have become very popular in Istanbul, so much so that I got shocked that they doubled the prices since the last time we were there!

However, this was one of the most fun and unique experiences we had in Istanbul, so I definitely recommend doing it.

The best thing about Taht Istanbul Studio (which is my studio recommendation) is that they have a nice rooftop and carpet area with Bosphorus views, so rest assured that nothing is photoshopped there.

My favourite rooms were the carpet area with the views, Ottoman throne and light room.

You can reserve your spot online or wait in the queue. Even if you book an online spot, you will still pay in the studio by cash or card. We waited in the queue for about an hour before it was our turn, but there’s also a cafe where you can spend your time waiting.

Take a Ferry to the Asian Side

While most of the things to do in Istanbul are on the European side, I definitely recommend crossing over to the Asian side to experience the more local and laid-back atmosphere of Istanbul.

The best way to do it is to just take the local ferry which is very inexpensive. Once you’re onboard, go to the top deck and enjoy the scenic ride.

Once you’re on the Asian side, I recommend exploring Kadikoy and Uskudar neighbourhoods.

📖 Read my Does Uber Work in Istanbul? (+My Personal Experience) blog post.

Go on a Bosphorus Cruise

Additionally, if you want a more luxurious experience, then go on a Bosphorus cruise.

Experience a Traditional Turkish Hammam

Turkish Hammam or a public bath has been an integral part of Istanbul life for centuries, which you can experience too.

✅ I recommend this best rated Hammam experience in Istanbul’s Old City.

Try Turkish Coffee and Cakes at Hafiz Mustafa 1864

Turkish coffee is very unique and I recommend trying it out in Istanbul.

The most popular place for Turkish coffee and cakes is Hafiz Mustafa 1864 with various locations in the city.

I had this strawberry cake and my husband baklava and both were really delicious + the coffee was great!

Join a Walking Tour of Sultanahmet, Historic Area of Istanbul

Sultanahmet is the most historic neighbourhood in Istanbul. It’s there where you’ll find Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

While you can explore it on your own, if you’d love to learn more about the history from a local guide, consider taking this best rated Sultanahmet Walking Tour.

Take a Food Tour

Turkish food is one of my favourites in the world. From tavuk sote and kebabs to gozlemes and baklavas, surely you won’t be hungry in Istanbul!

If you’re a big foodie like me, I recommend taking this full day food tour on both sides of Istanbul.

Do a Turkish Coffee Making & Fortune Telling Workshop

Fortune telling from the leftover coffee grounds is such a throwback to my childhood. Croatian and other Balkan countries got this influence from Turkey where people believe you can tell the future based on what is in the coffee leftovers.

As kids we played with that often, but if you’d love to learn how to do it right, alongside how to actually make the Turkish coffee, then I recommend this Turkish Coffee Making & Fortune Telling Workshop.

It’s a fun activity, so if you’re looking for something unusual, this workshop is a great choice.

Experience Turkish Breakfast

Turkish breakfast is a ritual and is meant to be a socialising thing.

You will be served a table full of food to share. The concept is similar to tapas.

Most hotels will include this in your offer stay, but you can also go to different restaurants that serve breakfast.

Watch Whirling Dervishes Show

Whirling Dervish is known for its whirling dance, which is a ritual to achieve a closer connection with God. 

The dervish’s spinning symbolises spiritual ascension and the unity of creation, with the right hand receiving God’s blessings and the left hand sharing them with the world. 

✅ I recommend this best rated Whirling Dervishes Show.

Take a Day Trip to Princes’s Islands

If you have several days in Istanbul, I recommend doing a day trip to Princes’s Islands, which is the most famous day trip from Istanbul.

Where to Stay in Istanbul

Firstly, I recommend you to stay on the European side because most of your time you’ll spend there.

In terms of the best neighbourhood, I personally loved staying in Sultanahmet, which is the historic centre of the city where Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are located.

Karakoy is a great choice too, especially if you love going out at night.

📖 Check my 10 Best Istanbul Hotels with Hagia Sophia View & 11 Best Istanbul Hotels with Beautiful Bosphorus View blog posts for more.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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