Top Things To Do in Istanbul Rankings
The best attractions, experiences, and things to do in Istanbul, Turkey.
Travel & GeographyTop 50
No rankings yet. Be the first!
Similar Lists
All Items (50)
Hagia Sophia — 1,500 years of history, from cathedral to mosque, an architectural miracle—
Topkapi Palace — the seat of the Ottoman Empire, the Harem and the sacred relics—
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) — the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets—
The Grand Bazaar — one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, 4,000 shops—
The Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) — the most aromatic market in the world—
The Bosphorus — the strait dividing Europe and Asia, cruise or ferry between continents—
Bosphorus cruise — watch the yalis, fortresses and palaces pass from the water—
Dolmabahçe Palace — the 19th-century Ottoman baroque palace on the Bosphorus—
Süleymaniye Mosque — Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, the finest mosque in Istanbul—
Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) — the most extraordinary Byzantine mosaics in the world—
The Basilica Cistern — the underground forest of 336 columns beneath Sultanahmet—
Galata Tower — the medieval Genoese tower, panoramic views over both continents—
Galata Bridge — cross the bridge, eat grilled fish from the boats below—
Istiklal Avenue & Taksim Square — the grand pedestrian boulevard, trams and cafés—
Beyoğlu neighbourhood — the cosmopolitan quarter, art galleries and meyhane taverns—
Karaköy & Galata — the most rapidly gentrifying and exciting neighbourhood in Istanbul—
Balat — the most colourful and photogenic neighbourhood in Istanbul, rainbow houses—
Fener neighbourhood — Greek Orthodox heritage and the Ecumenical Patriarchate—
Ortaköy — the village beneath the Bosphorus Bridge, waffle stands and the mosque—
Bebek — the most elegant Bosphorus village, café culture and waterfront dining—
Arnavutköy — the traditional wooden houses of a Bosphorus village—
Prince's Islands (Adalar) — horse-drawn carriages on car-free islands in the Sea of Marmara—
Büyükada — the largest of the Prince's Islands, cycle to the Monastery of St George—
Çırağan Palace Kempinski — afternoon tea on the Bosphorus terrace of the palace hotel—
Hamam experience — bathe in a 16th-century Ottoman bathhouse, Çemberlitaş or Çağaloğlu—
Turkish breakfast — the most magnificent breakfast in the world, Van Kahvaltı Evi—
Simit — the sesame-encrusted bread ring, eat one by the Bosphorus every morning—
Balık ekmek (fish sandwich) — grilled mackerel in bread from the boats at Galata Bridge—
Kebab at Karadeniz Pide ve Kebap — the finest kebab in Beyoğlu—
Meze dinner at a meyhane — raki, small plates and live fasıl music, the Istanbul evening—
Turkish tea at a çay bahçesi — tulip glasses of tea in a garden, the rhythm of Istanbul—
Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz — the tiny Beyoğlu coffee legend since 1967—
Baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu — the finest baklava in the world, drenched in pistachio—
Borek at a börekçi — the cheese or meat pastry, the essential Istanbul street breakfast—
Lokum (Turkish delight) at Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir — the originator of Turkish delight since 1777—
Nişantaşı — Istanbul's most fashionable shopping neighbourhood—
Arasta Bazaar — the quieter, more manageable alternative to the Grand Bazaar—
Istanbul Modern — Turkey's premier contemporary art museum, recently rebuilt on the Bosphorus—
Pera Museum — Orientalist paintings and Anatolian weights in Tepebaşı—
SALT Galata — art, research and culture in a stunning Ottoman bank building—
Sadberk Hanım Museum — the finest private collection of Ottoman and Anatolian art—
Dolmabahçe Clock Tower — the ornate tower at the palace gates, a Bosphorus landmark—
Rumeli Fortress (Rumelihisarı) — Mehmed II's fortress built in four months to conquer Constantinople—
Anadolu Kavağı — the fishing village at the Black Sea end of the Bosphorus, castle ruins—
Asian side (Kadıköy) — the most authentic neighbourhood in Istanbul, market and food scene—
Moda neighbourhood — the genteel Asian side village, café culture and Sunday markets—
Whirling Dervishes ceremony — the Mevlevi sema ceremony, a UNESCO cultural heritage—
Istanbul Biennial — October (odd years), one of the world's most important art biennials—
Conquest Day (May 29) — the anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople—
Sunset from the Galata Tower or Pierre Loti Hill — Istanbul glowing gold over two continents—