historic
Fatih
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a monumental building that has served as a church, mosque, and museum. Its massive dome and layered history make it a central landmark in Istanbul.
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Low lift
First hour in the city
Three strong starts when you want Istanbul fast, clear, and not overwhelming.
Quick visitsHigh signalEasy first stop
58 matching placesOpen this plan
Signature places
See allHagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a monumental building that has served as a church, mosque, and museum. Its massive dome and layered history make it a central landmark in Istanbul.
TL 1500·1h30m
Fatih·Covered
historic
Blue Mosque
An early 17th-century imperial mosque famous for its Iznik tile interior. It's still an active place of worship, so visits are scheduled around prayer times.
1h
Fatih·Covered
mosque
Topkapı Palace
The former administrative heart and royal residence of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. It's a sprawling complex of courtyards, pavilions, and collections that feels like a city within the city.
TL 1500·3h
Fatih·Modest
museum
Basilica Cistern
A vast, atmospheric 6th-century underground cistern built by Emperor Justinian. Walk on raised platforms above shallow water, surrounded by a forest of columns.
TL 900·1h
Fatih
historic
In motion
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mosque
Fatih
Blue Mosque
An early 17th-century imperial mosque famous for its Iznik tile interior. It's still an active place of worship, so visits are scheduled around prayer times.
viewpoint
Beyoğlu
Galata Tower
A medieval Genoese watchtower that's now a museum and observation deck. It offers the classic postcard view of Istanbul's old city skyline.
landmark
Beyoğlu
İstiklal Avenue
A 1.4-kilometer pedestrian street running through the heart of Beyoğlu. It's the city's main artery for strolling, shopping, and people-watching.
landmark
Beyoğlu
Galata Bridge
The bridge that crosses the Golden Horn, connecting Eminönü and Karaköy. It's a working piece of the city where people fish, commute, and watch the ferries come and go.
park
Kadıköy
Moda Seafront
A long, paved pedestrian walkway along the Marmara Sea in Kadıköy. It's where locals come to walk, jog, cycle, and watch the ferries go by.
District moods
Which side of the city fits you?
The city changes tone fast. Choose the vibe first, then drop into the best stops inside it.
History stacked
19 placesFatih
Postcard Istanbul, dense and real
For domes, courtyards, cisterns, and the kind of sensory overload that earns the trip.
MosquesBazaarsImperial layers
01
Blue Mosque
An early 17th-century imperial mosque famous for its Iznik tile interior. It's still an active place of worship, so visits are scheduled around prayer times.
02
Grand Bazaar
This is the massive, centuries-old covered market at the heart of the old city. It's a labyrinth of streets under a single roof, packed with thousands of shops selling everything from carpets to jewelry.
03
Gülhane Park
Gülhane Park is Istanbul's oldest public park, sprawling on the grounds of Topkapı Palace. It's a green escape with palace walls, sea views, and plenty of shade.
Open district
Gallery to ferry
19 placesBeyoğlu
Street energy with a cultural spine
Start with towers and passages, then drift into museums, bridges, and a little chaos.
MuseumsStreet lifeViewpoints
01
Galata Bridge
The bridge that crosses the Golden Horn, connecting Eminönü and Karaköy. It's a working piece of the city where people fish, commute, and watch the ferries come and go.
02
İstiklal Avenue
A 1.4-kilometer pedestrian street running through the heart of Beyoğlu. It's the city's main artery for strolling, shopping, and people-watching.
03
Galata Tower
A medieval Genoese watchtower that's now a museum and observation deck. It offers the classic postcard view of Istanbul's old city skyline.
Open district
Local rhythm
19 placesKadıköy
The side of the city that exhales
Sea breeze, market texture, and enough room to linger without feeling like you are wasting time.
Seafront walksMarketsSlower pace
01
Kadıköy Fish Market
A lively, working fish market where locals shop for the day's catch. The surrounding streets are packed with meyhanes, produce stalls, and specialty food shops.
02
Moda Seafront
A long, paved pedestrian walkway along the Marmara Sea in Kadıköy. It's where locals come to walk, jog, cycle, and watch the ferries go by.
03
All Saints Moda
A small, historic Anglican church in the heart of Moda, surrounded by a quiet garden. It's a peaceful spot away from the neighborhood's busier streets.
Open district
Waterfront classics
18 placesBeşiktaş
Big views, clean transitions
Palaces, green pockets, and Bosphorus stretches that make an easy half-day feel polished.
Bosphorus viewsPalacesParks
01
Ortaköy Mosque
A beautiful 19th-century mosque right on the Bosphorus waterfront in Ortaköy. It's famous for its elegant baroque style and the stunning view of the Bosphorus Bridge behind it.
02
Yıldız Park
Yıldız Park is one of Istanbul's largest historical parks, set between the Yıldız and Çırağan palaces. It's a sprawling green escape from the city, with old pavilions and wooded paths.
03
Dolmabahçe Palace
The 19th-century imperial palace where the Ottoman Empire was run from for decades, right on the Bosphorus. It's a massive, ornate building that shows the empire's shift toward European styles.
Open district
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Ways into the city
Start with a ready-made plan
Starter guide
First 24 hours in Istanbul
Begin with the signature places that still feel worth your first day.
Hagia SophiaBlue MosqueTopkapı Palace
19 placesOpen guide
Weather backup
Rainy-day plan
Museums, interiors, and places that still work when the weather turns.
Basilica CisternIstanbul ModernPera Museum
10 placesOpen guide
Best light
Golden-hour views
The places that pay off most in the last light of the day.
Galata BridgeModa SeafrontCaddebostan Coastal Promenade
8 placesOpen guide
Practical guide
Mosque visits, done respectfully
A dress-aware shortlist for active mosque visits and respectful planning.
Blue MosqueOrtaköy MosqueSüleymaniye Mosque
10 placesOpen guide