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Istanbul, Turkey

Top things to do in Istanbul

60 attractions, landmarks and museums worth your time, ranked by traveler reviews.

Galata Tower
Landmark4.6

Galata Tower

210,458 reviews

Medieval stone tower offering panoramic views of Istanbul from its observation deck.

Egyptian Bazaar
Landmark

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Good to know

What is the most visited attraction in Istanbul?

Galata Tower draws the most traveler reviews of anywhere we track in Istanbul, with 210,458 of them, rated 4.6 out of 5. Review volume is the closest honest proxy we have for how many people actually turn up, so it is what this list is ranked by.

Which place in Istanbul do visitors rate highest?

Cagaloglu Hamami holds the highest rating in Istanbul among places with a meaningful number of reviews, at 5.0 out of 5 from 5,414 reviews. It is less busy than Galata Tower, which is often exactly why it scores better.

Browse Istanbul by type: museums, parks & nature, markets. Planning your trip to Istanbul? See where to eat, build a Istanbul itinerary, or check visa requirements.
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4.5

Egyptian Bazaar

189,406 reviews

A historic spice market in Istanbul, known for its vibrant stalls of spices, sweets, and souvenirs.

Grand Bazaar
Landmark4.4

Grand Bazaar

184,307 reviews

One of the world's largest and oldest covered markets, with thousands of shops selling jewelry, carpets, and more.

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Religious site4.8

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

135,218 reviews

A stunning former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque, now a museum and grand mosque in Istanbul, famous for its massive dome and mosaics.

The Blue Mosque
Religious site4.7

The Blue Mosque

119,208 reviews

A stunning 17th-century mosque in Istanbul known for its six minarets and exquisite blue Iznik tiles.

Topkapi Palace Museum
Museum4.6

Topkapi Palace Museum

117,841 reviews

A sprawling Ottoman palace complex in Istanbul housing imperial treasures, relics, and stunning courtyards.

Dolmabahçe Palace
Landmark4.7

Dolmabahçe Palace

90,775 reviews

An opulent 19th-century palace on the Bosphorus, serving as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and later a residence for Atatürk.

Gülhane Park
Park & nature4.7

Gülhane Park

68,351 reviews

A historic urban park in Istanbul, adjacent to Topkapi Palace, offering lush gardens, museum exhibits, and sea views.

Little Hagia Sophia
Religious site4.6

Little Hagia Sophia

46,013 reviews

A former Byzantine church converted into a mosque, featuring a central dome and ancient mosaics, predating Hagia Sophia.

Hagia Sophia
Religious site4.6

Hagia Sophia

46,013 reviews

A UNESCO World Heritage site with a massive dome and stunning Byzantine mosaics, once a cathedral, mosque, and museum.

Sultanahmet Square
Park & nature4.7

Sultanahmet Square

36,101 reviews

A historic square in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Religious site4.5

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

35,753 reviews

An iconic Ottoman mosque with six minarets and a stunning interior of blue Iznik tiles.

Basilica Cistern
Sight4.5

Basilica Cistern

32,788 reviews

Descend into a vast underground chamber supported by 336 marble columns, with two Medusa head carvings adding mystery to this ancient water storage system.

Topkapı Palace
Museum4.5

Topkapı Palace

28,610 reviews

The former Ottoman imperial palace, now a museum with lavish courtyards, treasury, and the Harem.

Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Museum4.6

Istanbul Archaeological Museums

20,811 reviews

One of the world's great archaeological complexes, this museum houses artifacts from Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Islamic world, including the Alexander Sarcophagus.

Spice Bazaar
Market4

Spice Bazaar

12,915 reviews

Immerse yourself in the aromatic Spice Bazaar, a historic market where colorful spices, dried fruits, nuts, and Turkish delight fill the air with fragrance.

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Market4

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

12,915 reviews

Explore one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops offering carpets, jewelry, spices, and more in a labyrinthine setting.

New Mosque, Istanbul
Religious site4.7

New Mosque, Istanbul

12,805 reviews

A 17th-century Ottoman mosque with a striking silhouette, located at the entrance of the Spice Bazaar, featuring two minarets and a large courtyard.

Süleymaniye Mosque
Religious site4.7

Süleymaniye Mosque

12,805 reviews

A masterpiece of Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, this hilltop mosque offers panoramic views of the Golden Horn.

Galata Bridge
Landmark4.3

Galata Bridge

10,307 reviews

A bustling bridge spanning the Golden Horn, famous for fishermen lining its railings and stunning views of Istanbul.

The Chora
Religious site4.6

The Chora

6,061 reviews

A former Byzantine church turned mosque, now a museum, famed for its exquisite mosaics and frescoes that narrate biblical stories.

Cagaloglu Hamami
Landmark5

Cagaloglu Hamami

5,414 reviews · Sultanahmet

Cağaloğlu Hamamı is one of Istanbul's most historic and beautiful Turkish baths, a grand 18th-century hammam near the Hagia Sophia, where bathers have come to steam, scrub, and soak beneath a marble dome pierced with star-shaped skylights for nearly 300 years.

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
Market4.5

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

4,199 reviews · Grand Bazaar

A vibrant historic market in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar district, offering spices, sweets, and local goods in a lively covered arcade.

Rustem Pasha Mosque
Religious site4.5

Rustem Pasha Mosque

2,272 reviews · Sirkeci

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque is one of Istanbul's hidden gems, a small but exquisite 16th-century mosque famous for being almost entirely covered, inside and out, in stunning İznik tiles.

Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III
Landmark4.7

Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III

1,451 reviews

Admire the elegant Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III, an 18th-century Ottoman structure in Istanbul's historic square, blending Baroque and Islamic art.

Istanbul Akvaryum
Park & nature4.5

Istanbul Akvaryum

1,247 reviews

A sprawling aquarium complex in Florya, Istanbul, featuring a massive oceanarium, tropical zones, and a rainforest exhibit, plus parkland and dining.

Rumeli Fortress
Museum4.5

Rumeli Fortress

914 reviews

A massive 15th-century fortress on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, now a museum offering stunning views and a glimpse into Ottoman military history.

Hippodrome of Constantinople
Sight3.9

Hippodrome of Constantinople

878 reviews

Once the center of Byzantine public life, this square now features ancient obelisks and the German Fountain.

Landmark
Landmark4.5

Eminonu Square

857 reviews · Grand Bazaar

Historic square in Istanbul's Eminönü district, bustling with markets, ferry terminals, and views of the Galata Bridge and Golden Horn.

Istinye Park
Market4.5

Istinye Park

724 reviews

A modern shopping mall with luxury brands, entertainment, and dining in Istanbul's Maslak district.

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Museum4.3

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

705 reviews

Houses an extensive collection of Islamic art, including rare calligraphy, exquisite carpets, and ethnographic items from across the Islamic world.

Sight
Sight4

Galatasaray Tram

482 reviews · Beyoglu

A historic tram line running along Istiklal Street in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, offering a nostalgic ride through the city's cultural heart.

Market
Market4.5

Aqua Florya Alisveris Merkezi

317 reviews

A large shopping mall in Istanbul with a wide range of stores, dining, and entertainment options, popular with locals and tourists.

Nuruosmaniye Mosque
Religious site4.6

Nuruosmaniye Mosque

315 reviews

An Ottoman Baroque masterpiece with a grand courtyard and twin minarets, blending Islamic and European architectural styles.

Entertainment
Entertainment4.5

Nardis Jazz Club

208 reviews · Beyoglu

Intimate jazz club in Beyoglu, Istanbul, known for live music and atmospheric setting.

Sight
Sight4.5

Sultan Suleyman Hamam

206 reviews · Sultanahmet

A traditional Turkish hammam experience in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, offering authentic bathing rituals in a historic setting with high ratings.

Market
Market4.5

KadIkoy CarsIsI

159 reviews · KadIkoy

Kadıköy Çarşısı is a vibrant market district in Istanbul's Kadıköy neighborhood, offering fresh produce, spices, textiles, and a lively street food scene.

Museum
Museum4.5

Borusan Contemporary

145 reviews

A contemporary art museum housed in a historic waterfront mansion, featuring rotating exhibitions and a sculpture garden with Bosphorus views.

Entertainment
Entertainment3.5

Whirling Dervishes Istanbul

136 reviews · Sultanahmet

A mesmerizing Sema ceremony performed by whirling dervishes in a historic Sultanahmet venue.

Market
Market4.5

Grand Bazaar Jewelers

134 reviews · Sultanahmet

A renowned jewelry market in Sultanahmet offering authentic Turkish gems, carpets, and souvenirs near historic sites.

Market
Market5

Turkmenzade Handicraft

123 reviews · Sultanahmet

A charming handicraft shop in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, offering traditional Turkish crafts and souvenirs.

Alay Pavilion
Landmark4.7

Alay Pavilion

115 reviews

A restored 19th-century wooden pavilion in Istanbul's Gülhane Park, offering tea and panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Sight
Sight5

Melas Spa And Wellness

108 reviews · Besiktas

Luxurious spa and wellness center in Besiktas, Istanbul, offering traditional hammam, massages, and beauty treatments.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Landmark4.5

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

103 reviews

A monumental suspension bridge spanning the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Europe and Asia in Istanbul.

Landmark
Landmark4

Milion Stone

99 reviews · Sultanahmet

The Milion Stone in Sultanahmet marks the ancient starting point for measuring distances to Byzantine cities, now a weathered column base near Hagia Sophia.

Museum
Museum4.5

SALT Galata, Istanbul

99 reviews · Beyoglu

A contemporary art and cultural space in a historic bank building in Beyoğlu, hosting exhibitions, research, and public programs.

Park & nature
Park & nature3.5

Florya Beach

85 reviews

A seaside park and beach on the Marmara Sea, popular for swimming, picnics, and sunset views in Istanbul.

Landmark
Landmark4

Kamondo Stairs

85 reviews

A historic spiral staircase in Istanbul's Karaköy district, blending European and Ottoman architectural styles.

Market
Market4.5

Buyuk Valide Han

79 reviews · Grand Bazaar

A historic Ottoman caravanserai turned bustling market in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar district, famous for its courtyard and shops.

Sight
Sight5

Zahir Spa

77 reviews · Beyoglu

A luxurious spa in Istanbul's Beyoglu district offering traditional Turkish hammam and modern wellness treatments in a historic setting.

Sight
Sight4

Sultan Suleyman Hamam

66 reviews · Sultanahmet

A historic Turkish bath in Sultanahmet, offering an authentic Ottoman hammam experience near major landmarks.

Sight
Sight4.5

Historical Cesme Hammam

63 reviews · Beyoglu

A restored 18th-century Ottoman bathhouse in Beyoğlu, now a luxurious spa within the Galata İstanbul Hotel, offering traditional hammam rituals and historic ambiance.

Sight
Sight4

Karakoy Iskelesi

60 reviews · Karakoy

A historic ferry pier in the Karaköy district of Istanbul, offering scenic Bosphorus views and a gateway to waterfront exploration.

Market
Market4

Atakoy Plus Alisveris Merkezi

54 reviews

Modern shopping mall in Istanbul's Bakırköy district with a wide range of stores, dining, and entertainment options.

Babylon
Entertainment4.5

Babylon

53 reviews · Sisli

Historic Bomonti beer factory turned into a vibrant entertainment complex with live music, bars, and a lively atmosphere in Istanbul's Sisli district.

Museum
Museum4

Museum Of Illusions Istanbul

52 reviews · Beyoglu

An interactive museum on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu, Istanbul, featuring optical illusions, holograms, and mind-bending exhibits for all ages.

Sight
Sight3.5

Dorock XL

52 reviews

A live music venue and rock bar in Istanbul, known for its energetic atmosphere and performances.

Sight
Sight3

Tekyon Club

51 reviews · Beyoglu

A nightclub in Beyoglu, Istanbul, known for its electronic music scene and lively atmosphere near Taksim Square.

Sight
Sight4

Cagaloglu

42 reviews · Sultanahmet

A historic Turkish bath in Sultanahmet offering a traditional hammam experience with ornate marble interiors.

Market
Market5

Galata Leather

42 reviews · Beyoglu

Shop for authentic leather goods at Galata Leather in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, known for quality craftsmanship and unique designs.