15 Top Things to Do in Istanbul, Türkiye

Discover the top things to do in Istanbul, from Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries to Turkish coffee, colourful bazaars, neighbourhoods and cats.

I had wanted to visit Istanbul for a long time for one slightly unusual reason: I’m a cat person! I kept seeing photos and videos of cats sleeping outside cafés, wandering through shops and casually taking over the streets as if the whole city belonged to them. Naturally, I became curious about this famously cat-friendly city.

But what started as curiosity about Istanbul’s cats turned into a much bigger trip than I expected. Istanbul is huge, energetic and full of contrasts. In the same day, you can walk through centuries-old mosques and palaces, get lost inside a historic bazaar, drink Turkish coffee in a tiny café and then take a ferry across the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia.

The city is packed with history, but it never feels like an open-air museum. Modern neighbourhoods, restaurants, cafés, markets, ferries and everyday street life exist right beside some of the most famous monuments in Türkiye.

If you are planning your first trip, this guide covers my top things to do in Istanbul, including the famous landmarks you should not miss and some experiences that make the city feel much more personal.

Why Visit Istanbul?

Istanbul is one of those cities where sightseeing is only part of the experience. Of course, buildings such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace are major reasons to come. But some of my favourite memories are connected to everything that happens between the attractions.

You might find yourself walking down a steep street toward the Bosphorus, stopping because a cat has decided to sleep in the middle of the pavement, buying something you never planned to buy in a market or drinking tea while ferries cross the water in front of you.

The Historic Peninsula alone contains Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern and several historic bazaars within a relatively compact area. Cross the Golden Horn or the Bosphorus and the atmosphere changes again.

I also love that you do not need to choose between a history trip, food trip and city break here. Istanbul gives you all three at once. That variety is exactly why I recommend spending several days in the city instead of treating it as a quick stopover.

How to Get to Istanbul

Most international travellers arrive through one of Istanbul’s two major airports: Istanbul Airport on the European side or Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side. Check your flight on Google Flight, Skyscanner or Trip.com for the best price. I booked my flight to Sabiha Gökçen Airport from Brussels with ~110 euro for everything from Trip.com.

Istanbul Airport is connected to the city’s metro network by the M11 line toward Gayrettepe. Sabiha Gökçen Airport has a direct station on the M4 metro line, which continues toward Kadıköy and connects with other public transport systems along the way.

Airport buses and taxis are also options, particularly if you arrive late, have several pieces of luggage or are travelling as a group. Traffic in Istanbul can be heavy, however, so rail transport can sometimes be easier to predict.

Once you are in the city, I would not recommend renting a car simply for sightseeing in central Istanbul. Metro lines, trams, Marmaray trains, buses and ferries connect most areas visitors are likely to explore. Ferries are particularly useful because they are not only transportation — crossing the Bosphorus is one of the experiences you should have while you are here.

For a first visit, grouping attractions together will save a lot of time. Explore Sultanahmet in one cluster, Grand Bazaar and Süleymaniye in another, Galata and Beyoğlu together, and dedicate separate time to the Bosphorus and Asian side.

Where to Stay in Istanbul

Choosing the right area matters because Istanbul is enormous. Staying close to the places you are most interested in can save a surprising amount of travel time. Check Agoda, Booking.com or Trip.com regularly to find your best deal.

Sultanahmet — Best for First-Time Sightseeing

Sultanahmet is the easiest base if your priority is Istanbul’s major historical landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace are all nearby.

The biggest advantage is being able to start sightseeing early before the busiest part of the day. The downside is that Sultanahmet feels more tourist-oriented than neighbourhoods such as Kadıköy or Cihangir.

Karaköy and Galata — Best Overall Location

For a combination of sightseeing, restaurants and atmosphere, Karaköy and Galata are excellent choices.

You are close to Galata Tower and the waterfront, while Sultanahmet is still relatively easy to reach. Beyoğlu and İstiklal Avenue are also nearby.

Beyoğlu — Best for Restaurants and Nightlife

Stay around Beyoğlu if you want cafés, restaurants, bars, shopping and nightlife within walking distance.

İstiklal Avenue can be extremely busy, so check exactly where your hotel is located if you prefer quieter evenings.

Kadıköy and Moda — Best for a More Local Feeling

If you prefer neighbourhood life to staying beside the biggest tourist attractions, consider the Asian side.

Kadıköy and nearby Moda combine markets, cafés, restaurants and waterfront walks. Taking the ferry back and forth also becomes part of your daily Istanbul experience.

Beşiktaş — Best for the Bosphorus

Beşiktaş works well if you want to stay near the Bosphorus and attractions such as Dolmabahçe Palace and Ortaköy. Beşiktaş also has a wide range of luxury hotels for tourists.

It is less convenient than Sultanahmet for walking to the Old City sights, but its waterfront location and transport connections make it an interesting alternative.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Istanbul?

For comfortable sightseeing, I would choose spring or autumn.

April, May, September and October usually make long walking days more pleasant than the hottest part of summer. Spring also brings greenery and flowers to parks around the city.

Summer gives you long evenings and beautiful conditions for enjoying the Bosphorus, but July and August can be hot and busy. The most famous attractions can become particularly crowded during the middle of the day.

Winter gives Istanbul a completely different atmosphere. Temperatures are cooler, rain is more common and the days are shorter, but you may find fewer visitors at some attractions.

Whatever season you choose, I recommend starting major sightseeing days early. Istanbul has too much to see to spend hours of your trip waiting in queues.

Top Things to Do in Istanbul

1. Visit Hagia Sophia

If this is your first visit to Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is one place I would absolutely keep on the itinerary.

Few buildings represent Istanbul’s complicated history better. Hagia Sophia has served different religious roles during its long history, and today it functions as a mosque. Its enormous dome, Islamic calligraphy and surviving elements from its earlier Christian history make it fascinating both architecturally and historically.

Hagia Sophia sits right in Sultanahmet, so combine it with the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern rather than visiting each attraction on different days.

My biggest tip is to come early. Even if you are not normally someone who enjoys waking up for sightseeing, central Sultanahmet is much nicer before the busiest hours.

Remember that Hagia Sophia is an active place of worship. Dress appropriately, respect prayer areas and check the latest visitor arrangements before your visit.

2. See the Blue Mosque

Directly across Sultanahmet Square from Hagia Sophia stands another symbol of Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, officially Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

Seeing these two monumental buildings facing each other is one of those moments when Istanbul’s history suddenly feels very real.

Do not only photograph the mosque from outside. If visitor access is available, go inside and look upward at the enormous dome, decorative tiles and intricate details.

Because it remains an active mosque, sightseeing access can be affected by prayer times. Keep some flexibility in your itinerary rather than planning the entire day around one exact time.

The surrounding square is also worth enjoying slowly. Many travellers rush directly from one attraction to another, but the views between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are among the most memorable scenes in Istanbul.

3. Go Underground at the Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern gives you a completely different type of Istanbul experience.

Instead of domes, minarets and busy streets, you descend beneath the city into a vast underground space filled with rows of ancient columns.

The combination of water, reflections, columns and atmospheric lighting makes this one of the most unusual historical attractions in the city.

It is also conveniently located close to Hagia Sophia, which makes it easy to include on the same sightseeing day.

If you enjoy photography, slow down here. People naturally gather around the most famous details, so waiting a few moments can make a big difference to your photos.

4. Explore Topkapı Palace

Topkapı Palace deserves more time than many first-time visitors expect.

The enormous complex served as the centre of Ottoman imperial life for centuries. Today, visitors can move between courtyards, rooms, exhibitions and beautiful architectural spaces while getting occasional views toward the Bosphorus.

Do not treat it as a quick one-hour stop. If you enjoy architecture or Ottoman history, you can easily spend several hours exploring the palace.

One of my favourite things about large historical palaces is looking beyond the grand rooms. Pay attention to the tiled walls, windows, doors, courtyards and small architectural details.

Topkapı Palace fits naturally into a Sultanahmet sightseeing day because it is close to Hagia Sophia and many of the Historic Peninsula’s other famous attractions.

Give yourself enough time rather than trying to squeeze the palace between too many other attractions.

5. Get Lost in the Grand Bazaar

You do not really walk through the Grand Bazaar in a perfectly straight line. You enter, take a few turns and eventually realise you are no longer completely sure where you are.

That is part of the fun.

The bazaar is a huge network of covered streets filled with shops selling carpets, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, lamps, leather goods and souvenirs.

You do not need to buy anything to enjoy visiting. I think the best way to experience the Grand Bazaar is simply to wander, look at the architecture, browse different sections and watch the rhythm of trading around you.

If you do want to shop, compare several stores before buying and do not feel pressured to make an immediate decision.

6. Visit the Spice Bazaar and Explore Eminönü

If the Grand Bazaar is dominated by carpets, jewellery and souvenirs, the Spice Bazaar is much more about smell, colour and food.

Expect stalls packed with spices, dried fruit, nuts, tea, sweets and Turkish delight.

Do not visit the market and immediately leave. Eminönü itself is worth exploring.

The waterfront district is packed with ferries, shops, food stalls and constant movement. This is one of those parts of Istanbul where simply standing and watching everything happening around you can be entertaining.

Give yourself permission to wander here rather than trying to tick off one exact attraction after another.

7. Try Traditional Turkish Coffee

Trying Turkish coffee was one experience I definitely wanted to include in my Istanbul trip.

Turkish coffee is very different from the large coffees many of us drink at home. Finely ground coffee is traditionally prepared in a small pot called a cezve and served unfiltered in a small cup.

Drink it slowly. The grounds settle at the bottom, so this is definitely not a coffee you want to finish in one giant sip.

Coffee in Istanbul is also about the ritual around it. Sit down, slow down and enjoy the experience rather than treating it as another quick caffeine stop between attractions.

If you want something more atmospheric, choose a traditional café instead of automatically heading to an international coffee chain.

And if someone offers to read your fortune from the coffee grounds afterwards, you have discovered another fun part of Turkish coffee culture.

8. Meet the Cats of Istanbul

And now we arrive at one of the main reasons Istanbul appeared on my travel list in the first place: the cats.

You really do see them everywhere.

Cats sleep near cafés, sit beside shop entrances, wander through parks and casually occupy pavements. You will also notice food and water left out for them around the city.

For me, the interesting part is not simply the number of cats. It is how naturally they seem to fit into everyday life in Istanbul.

I originally became curious about Istanbul because I am a cat person. After visiting, I realised the cats are not really a separate tourist attraction you need to search for. They are simply part of the city.

You will probably meet them while doing everything else in this guide.

If a cat approaches you, let it decide whether it wants attention. Some are extremely friendly, while others would rather be admired from a respectful distance. That seems fair — technically, you are visiting their city.

9. Take a Ferry Across the Bosphorus

Do not visit Istanbul without spending some time on the Bosphorus strait. The strait separates the European and Asian sides of the city, and ferries allow you to move between the two as part of everyday Istanbul life.

Along the water you can see mosques, palaces, bridges, neighbourhoods and waterfront buildings from a completely different perspective.

You can book a sightseeing cruise, but you do not necessarily need an elaborate tour to enjoy the Bosphorus. A normal public ferry crossing already gives you beautiful views.

I especially like this experience because it combines sightseeing with transportation. Instead of sitting underground on the metro, you are outside watching Istanbul move past you.

If possible, take at least one ferry around sunset. Bring an extra layer outside the hottest months because it can feel noticeably cooler on the water.

10. Explore Galata, İstiklal Avenue and Beyoğlu

Galata Tower is one of the easiest landmarks to recognise when looking across the Golden Horn.

The tower itself is worth visiting for the panoramic views, but I would not make this area only about reaching the top.

Walk through the surrounding streets as well. You will find cafés, restaurants, small shops and steep lanes that create some of Istanbul’s best urban photo opportunities.

From Galata, continue uphill toward Beyoğlu and İstiklal Avenue.

İstiklal is one of Istanbul’s busiest pedestrian streets, lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, historic buildings, churches and passages. The nostalgic red tram travelling through the street has also become one of the most recognisable images of modern Istanbul.

The main avenue can become extremely crowded. Explore some of the smaller side streets instead of staying on İstiklal the entire time.

You can eventually continue toward Taksim Square, making Galata, Beyoğlu and İstiklal an easy half-day walking route.

11. Visit Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque sometimes receives less attention from first-time visitors because Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque dominate so many Istanbul itineraries. But I would still add it.

Its hilltop position gives the surrounding area beautiful views across the city and Golden Horn, while the mosque itself provides another perspective on Ottoman Istanbul. Süleymaniye is one of the significant historic destinations promoted as part of Istanbul’s broader heritage landscape.

The area also fits nicely into a walking route between the Grand Bazaar and Eminönü. As with every active mosque, be respectful of worshippers, dress appropriately and plan around prayer times.

12. See Dolmabahçe Palace

After Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace shows you a very different period of Ottoman history.

Topkapı feels like a sprawling imperial complex filled with courtyards and pavilions. Dolmabahçe, sitting directly beside the Bosphorus, has a much more European-influenced architectural character.

The contrast between the two palaces makes visiting both worthwhile if you enjoy architecture and history.

Inside, expect grand ceremonial rooms, elaborate decoration and a completely different atmosphere from the older Topkapı Palace complex.

Even if you do not have time to explore every part of the palace, its waterfront setting is beautiful.

Combine Dolmabahçe Palace with Beşiktaş and Ortaköy for a sightseeing route following the European shore of the Bosphorus.

13. Spend an Evening in Ortaköy

Ortaköy is one of my favourite types of places to add to a sightseeing-heavy itinerary: somewhere you can stop actively visiting monuments and simply enjoy Istanbul.

The neighbourhood sits directly beside the Bosphorus, with Ortaköy Mosque creating one of the city’s classic waterfront views.

The combination of the mosque, bridge and water is particularly beautiful around sunset.

Walk along the waterfront, grab something to eat and stay until the lights begin appearing across the city.

If you visit Dolmabahçe Palace earlier in the day, continuing north toward Ortaköy is also a logical way to organise this part of your Istanbul itinerary.

14. Cross to Kadıköy and Moda

One of the biggest mistakes you can make on a first Istanbul trip is spending the entire visit on the European side.

Take the ferry to Kadıköy and the atmosphere changes.

Kadıköy is known for food, markets, cafés and busy neighbourhood streets, while nearby Moda feels more relaxed around its residential areas and waterfront.

I would come here without trying to see ten attractions. Walk around, eat something, have coffee and experience a more everyday part of Istanbul.

The ferry journey is also part of the experience. Being able to casually travel between Europe and Asia by public transport is one of those things that makes Istanbul feel so unique.

And fellow cat people should keep their eyes open here too. You certainly do not leave Istanbul’s cat population behind when you cross to the Asian side.

15. Walk Through Fener and Balat

If you like colourful streets and old neighbourhood architecture, add Fener and Balat to your Istanbul itinerary.

These neighbourhoods along the Golden Horn offer something quite different from monumental Sultanahmet.

Instead of enormous palaces and mosques dominating every view, the experience here is more about wandering through small streets, looking at colourful façades and discovering cafés and everyday neighbourhood scenes.

Balat has become especially popular for photography, with brightly painted buildings appearing across social media.

However, remember that this is a real residential neighbourhood rather than a film set. Be respectful when photographing houses, doorways and local residents.

Fener and Balat work well as a slower half-day after you have already seen Istanbul’s major monuments.