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5 Must See Places in Istanbul, Turkey
Updated: Dec 6
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and one of the oldest cities in the world. Spread across two continents it is the former capital of the great Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. This sprawling bustling metropolis is full of history and wonder and offers some of the most incredible attractions and hospitality in the world. We absolutely loved it here and we are sure you will too!
These are our 5 top must-see places in Istanbul, will you visit them all?
Before you scroll on, please note that we DID NOT include the Hagia Sophia & Grand Bazaar in this blog. This is totally intentional, because we wanted to show you some perhaps lesser known spots that are equally as good!
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1. Dolmabahçe Palace
This magnificent palace is one of the standout features of Istanbul and is located in the Beşiktaş district. It has over 170 years of history to its name and was home to no less than 6 sultans! It is also where the revered founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, spent his final moments.
The construction of Dolmabahçe Palace began in 1843 and was completed in 1856 during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I, replacing the older Topkapı Palace as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. The palace was built in the neoclassical architectural style and is a fusion of Ottoman and European design elements, reflecting the Ottoman Empire's efforts to modernize and Westernize.
You are able to have full access to the grounds which showcase beautiful fountains and gardens, along with a café, gift shop, and of course the main attraction of the Palace itself. The Palace option is split into two parts, the main palace and then the Harem. Find out all you need to know in the blog post below.
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2. Fatih Market & Fatih Mosque
Every Wednesday on the streets just outside of the Fatih Mosque, the roads are closed and quite literally hundreds (if not thousands) of stalls pop up for Istanbul's largest outdoor market. Canopies are strewn from building to building and it makes for quite the scene!
You will literally find everything here, from fruits & vegetables, herbs, spices, fish, meats, clothing and much more. It is definitely a place to pick up a good bargain and with such beautiful displays, it is hard not to be tempted! It was amazing to see the sheer volume of goods on display from every angle, there were even rugs hanging between the buildings as the sellers use every inch of space.
The sellers are as entertaining as the items themselves as they shout out a constant stream of offers and prices. It was an excellent experience and was made even better by the amazing scene of the Fatih Mosque's minarets piercing the sky.
This Ottoman mosque was built in 1463 and is one of the largest of its kind in this ancient city. After suffering earthquake damage it was rebuilt in its current design in 1770 and is named after Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Ottoman Sultan who conquered the city ten years prior to the Mosque's construction.
The mosque features many striking domes which are highly visible from a distance. It certainly is a huge building and is also accompanied by a large complex of gardens and many spots to relax and enjoy the view. It is constructed in the typical baroque style of many such buildings in the city. You are able to visit the grounds and central courtyard but we feel it is worth noting that this is a very conservative Muslim area, along with most of the Fatih district.
3. Galata Tower
This medieval stone tower is located in the Galata / Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, very close to where the Golden Horn meets the Bosporus. It is one of the oldest towers in the city.
Standing at 205ft tall with 9 floors, The Galata Tower was completed in 1348 and has had many functions over time. Originally built as a lighthouse by the Byzantines, it was later used for surveillance and then as a dungeon by the Ottomans after they conquered Istanbul. From the 16th century until 1960 it was used as a fire tower (most of Istanbul's buildings were of wood construction) and was vital in spotting fires before they spread. Ironically the tower itself has been rebuilt twice due to internal fires.
For less than $10 you can gain access to this important piece of Istanbul's history. We did not go inside as we got there late in the day but we were happy to have been in its presence either way! The local area is also full of nice restaurants, cafes and stores and is well worth a visit! Find out all you need to know in our blog post below.
4. Colorful Balat
Balat was the historical home of the Jewish community of Istanbul in the 17th century and is located next to the Greek quarter of Fener. It is steeped in culture and tradition and has gone on to house many ethnicities over the years. It is part of the 'old' city and has a wonderful and encapsulating charm amongst its winding cobbled streets and mix of restored and abandoned buildings.
The famous colored mansion houses of Kiremit Street, Balat are one of the most photographed places in Istanbul and this street is a hub of tourist and local activity everyday in Balat. We actually stayed in the yellow one Jenn is standing in front of in the photo. It has apartments to rent through Airbnb and we had a very pleasant stay for one month. They come fully equipped with a self contained kitchen and bathroom and are all decorated and presented in the traditional old styles that run throughout this neighborhood. More on this in a future blog post!
Perhaps one of the best kept secrets of Istanbul, Balat is gradually becoming more popular among tourists and locals alike. The infusion of Turkish, Greek, Jewish and Latin culture is evident throughout its winding and hilly streets. The beautiful painted steps of the İncir Ağacı Kahvesi Café are a very popular attraction, alongside the vibrant and colorful umbrellas of the café next door. We certainly took a few photos here!
Balat is not just charming for its colors though. It is also crammed full of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, independent and antique stores. There is just so much to see, on every corner there is some form of presentation which just adds to the bespoke and alluring nature of this place.
We are both big fans of street art and Balat certainly has an abundance of this too! We will share much more in an upcoming blog post, including the old wall, 'the 5th largest castle of Europe' Phanar Greek Orthodox College and the cast iron Bulgarian Church of St Stephen.
This corner café is located on the main street of Vodina Caddesi. The owners of Café Dora, Elif and his wife are always leading from the front and greeting passers by with a warm welcome. It has great food and a wonderful vibe with a real traditional Turkish feel. It is named after the owners' Rottweiler Dora who you simply must meet! We highly recommend it!
READ MORE: Cafe Dora, the best cafe in Balat, Istanbul!
5. Çamlıca Hill & Çamlıca Mosque
The Grand Çamlıca Mosque was opened in March 2019 and is located on Çamlıca Hill of the Üsküdar district in Istanbul. This mosque features no less than 70 domes and has 6 minarets, making it the largest mosque in Turkey. It can accommodate up to 63,000 people! It has a brilliant outside space which showcases some amazing views of the city due to its placement at the top of Çamlıca Hill. It is serene, peaceful and well worth checking out!
The Grand Çamlıca Mosque was part of several 'mega projects' orchestrated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aimed at stimulating the Turkish economy. The interior design is fairly minimalist in its approach but as you can see it is both grand and striking due to the sheer scale of the building. At 72 metres in height, the main dome symbolises the 72 nations of the capital. The mosque also features the worlds largest finial! There is an onsite museum and gallery and parking for up to 3,500 cars.
Çamlıca Hill is in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul and is 288 metres above sea level. It offers breathtaking views of the city and Bosporus, including the mouth of the Golden Horn. It is a must see place for this alone! The hill also has many amenities taking advantage of the views, including food options and walking gardens. The restaurant has an excellent breakfast with seating areas overlooking the gardens and of course, THAT view. It is also famous for having the best simit bread in the city!
Be sure to bring along a blanket so you can sit in the grass and enjoy this beautiful area. If possible try to arrive close to sunset time as this is the best place to see the sunset in all of Istanbul!
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Your FREE Interactive Map of Türkiye
Check out all of the places we visited in Türkiye courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more.
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