First time visiting Istanbul? This bustling city has an incredible amount to offer, with a rich heritage of history and culture, as well as its fair share of modernity. For travellers, narrowing down exactly where to go can be a daunting task. Today with Civitatis, we’re offering our top 10 things to do in the City of the World’s Desire, including the unmissable major landmarks, as well as some lesser-known secrets off of the beaten track! Gidelim (Let’s go)!
Top 10 things to do in Istanbul
- Hagia Sofia & Blue Mosque
- Discover the city’s nightlife
- Hippodrome
- Relax your body and mind
- Grand bazaar
- Topkapi Palace
- Delve into the local gastronomy
- Visit local towns and cities
- Explore the city’s museums
- Cruise the Bosphorus
1. Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque
Perhaps the most important item on an Istanbul travel itinerary is a visit to the world-famous Blue Mosque (officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque). Built in 1617, the building’s staggering architecture and interior design make it one of the most iconic Ottoman landmarks. Its now iconic nickname of the ‘Blue Mosque’ derives from the stunning blue tiles adorning its expansive interior.
The Hagia Sophia is another absolute must-see historical landmark. Initially built as an Orthodox basilica between 532 and 537 AD, the Hagia Sophia was later repurposed as a Catholic cathedral, and then converted into a mosque in 1453. A visit to this world-famous landmark will take you on a journey through centuries of history, art and cultural exchange. This monumental temple impresses both on the outside with its overlapping domes, and on the inside with intricate mosaics and lavish decorations. Gain a deeper insight into this iconic structure with this ticket to the Hagia Sophia History Museum, located just 200 metres (650 ft) from the mosque itself.
See both of these iconic mosques along with the Suleymaniye Mosque, the largest mosque in Istanbul for more than 450 years on this Istanbul Mosque Tour!
2. Discover the city’s nightlife
For party-goers and pub enthusiasts, Istanbul offers a kaleidoscope of experiences. The areas of Taksim, Kadikoy, and Beşiktaş are the most popular choices—each renowned for their bars, clubs, and other entertainment options. The best way to dip your toes into the nightlife scene is with this Istanbul Pub Crawl, which will bring you to Taksim Square and includes VIP access to the 3 top-rated clubs in the city!
3. Relax your body and mind
In this bustling city, as much as you can lose yourself in the madness, there are also plenty of opportunities to really kick your feet up and relax. Where could be better than Istanbul to check out a hammam (also known as a Turkish bath)? These baths are the best way to unwind after a day or more of exploring the most exciting parts of the city. You’ll find lots of different treatment options in the city, many of which include a luxurious massage!
To receive the royal treatment, check out this Turkish Bath + Massage At DoubleTree by Hilton or visit the Cagaloglu Hammam—a lavish spa located in the city centre, which was constructed in 1741.
4. Grand Bazaar
Walking through the Grand Bazaar is a truly essential cultural experience in Istanbul. One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, this labyrinth contains over 4,000 shops selling everything from spices to fine jewellery. Aside from the exciting things you can buy (of which there is plenty), simply making your way through the meandering alleys built during the Ottoman Empire and watching the bustling market in action, makes this experience worthwhile!
In the Grand Bazaar, you’ll likely be offered Turkish tea (referred to as cay, pronounced chai). If you accept the tea, there’s no expectation to pay for it or even to buy anything within—this custom is simply an element of Turkey’s famous hospitality. To see the market (and much more) accompanied by a guide, consider booking this Private Tour of Istanbul!
5. Topkapi Palace
Next on our list of the top things to do in Istanbul: Topkapi Palace. Built between 1460 and 1478, Topkapi Palace is one of the oldest and most historically significant landmarks in the city, serving as the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 4 centuries.
Located in the Fatih district, the palace, which is now a museum and library is an unmissable stop on a trip to Istanbul. On this skip-the-line ticket to the Topkapi Palace, you can explore the palace’s courtyards, the Treasury, the Imperial Mint, the Baghdad Kiosk and see the palace’s sacred relics!
6. Delve into the local gastronomy
With all of the delicious culinary delights to be found in Istanbul, you’re sure to eat a lot of delicious food during your visit. Known for its diverse food culture that includes influences from the Ottoman Empire, Central Asia, the Balkans and the Caucasus, this city is truly a foodie’s paradise.
Embarking on this Istanbul Food Tour is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the city’s food culture. Along the way, you’ll indulge in the flavours of a traditional Döner kebap, try a Turkish breakfast, visit a homemade ice cream stall and much more!
One of our favourites at Civitatis is the Kumpir—a delectable street food consisting of a stuffed baked potato with butter and whatever other toppings you fancy, including veggies, ground meat, olives and various sauces!
7. Visit local towns and cities
While it may seem counter-intuitive to include excursions from Istanbul on a list of the best things to do while in the city—there are so many great day trips and excursions which are worth checking out while you’re there.
One of our favourite options is this Princes’ Islands Full Day Tour, which includes stops at the islands of Kinaliada and Buyukada—the second of which is the country’s most well-known and popular island to visit. Rich in history, culture and home to stunning natural beauty, the day trip is the perfect short escape from the city!
If you’re interested in classics, it might be worth taking a look at this day trip to Troy from Istanbul. Discover the archaeological zone of Troy, and gain an insight into the reality and fiction of the Trojan War as described in Homer’s Iliad.
8. Hippodrome of Constantinople
The Roman Hippodrome of Constantinople was an arena used for chariot racing throughout the Byzantine period from the 3rd century AD. Destroyed in the 15th century, Sultanahmet Squared now stands where the hippodrome once stood. However, the structure’s outline is marked out in the square, allowing visitors to imagine the epic chariot races which once took place on these grounds. You can learn more about the history and cultural significance of the Hippodrome and much more on this Free Tour of Istanbul!
9. Explore the city’s museums
A city truly steeped in history, it should come as no surprise that Istanbul boasts an impressive selection of museums. Along with the aforementioned Topkapi Castle Museum, we highly recommend the Istanbul Archaeology Museums which is made up of 3 museums in one complex. The first museum in Turkey and home to over one million works, this massive museum is home to a multitude of Greek, Roman and Byzantine artefacts.
If you’re visiting the city and want to visit the city’s main museums and landmarks (with 60 included attractions), check out the Istanbul E-pass.
10. Cruise the Bosphorus Strait
From the water, you’ll enjoy unbeatable views of the city, including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Bosphorus Bridge. Even better, enjoy the cruise at sunset with this Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise or this Bosphorus Night Cruise – Dinner & Show, which includes dinner and a show to boot!
That’s our list of the best things to do while in Istanbul. If you do decide to visit this spectacular historic city, be sure to check out the activities offered by Civitatis! Iyi yolculuklar (safe travels)!
