- Istanbul was known as Byzantium and later Constantinople, serving as the capital for the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires.
- The city's Grand Bazaar is one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, containing over 60 streets and thousands of shops.
- Istanbul features the world's second-oldest subway line, the Tünel, which opened in 1875.
- There are over 3,000 mosques located within the city limits, reflecting its deep religious and cultural history.
- The Bosphorus Strait, which runs through the city, is one of the world's most critical maritime corridors for international trade.
About Istanbul
Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is the only metropolis in the world located on two continents, serving as a unique bridge between Europe and Asia. The historic Sultanahmet district anchors the city's legacy, housing the architectural mastery of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and The Blue Mosque. Visitors can trace the opulence of Ottoman rulers at the Topkapi Palace Museum or descend into the subterranean depths of the Basilica Cistern. The cityscape is defined by its dramatic skyline, punctuated by the Suleymaniye Mosque and the vertical landmark of Galata Tower.
Highlights of Istanbul
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
View the massive Byzantine-era dome and historic mosaics that have survived centuries of structural changes.
Temples
Admire the intricate hand-painted blue tiles that line the interior walls and give the structure its name.
Museums
Explore the extensive Ottoman imperial collection, including historic armory, jewelry, and ornate palace chambers.
Historical places
Walk the raised platforms above the water to see the ancient carved Medusa head columns hidden in the depths.
Historical places
Ascend the medieval stone structure for a panoramic 360-degree view of the Bosphorus and the historic peninsula.
Temples
Experience the sophisticated architectural design of Sinan the Architect atop one of the city's seven hills.
Historical places
Tour the lavish European-style interiors and the massive Bohemian crystal chandelier of this nineteenth-century residence.
Places of interest
Watch local fishermen and take in the view of the skyline from this iconic connection point between the old and new city.
Top things to do in Istanbul
The 4,946 highest-rated places in Istanbul, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Galata Tower is a 67-meter medieval stone structure situated at the peak of the Galata district in Istanbul. Originally...
2
Temples
Hagia Sophia is a monumental structure originally constructed as a Christian cathedral in 537 AD, later converted into a...
3
Temples
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, is a 17th-century imperial Ottoman mosque in Istanbul featur...
4
Museums
Topkapi Palace served as the primary administrative and residential headquarters of the Ottoman Sultans for approximatel...
5
Historical places
Dolmabahçe Palace is a 19th-century Ottoman imperial residence serving as a museum on the European shore of the Bosphoru...
6
Historical places
The Basilica Cistern is a massive 6th-century subterranean reservoir built under Emperor Justinian I to serve the Great...
7
Temples
The Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest mosque complex in Istanbul, commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and de...
8
Temples
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is the site of the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, making it th...
9
Parks
Gülhane Park is the oldest and most extensive public park in Istanbul, situated on the historic peninsula within the out...
10
Temples
The Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, widely known as the Ortaköy Mosque, is a 19th-century Neo-Baroque structure situated on the e...
11
Temples
The Fatih Mosque is a landmark imperial mosque complex originally commissioned by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror between 14...
12
Places of interest
The Galata Bridge is a 490-meter-long bascule bridge spanning the Golden Horn in Istanbul, connecting the historic distr...
13
Parks
Yıldız Park is a historical urban park in Beşiktaş that once served as the hunting ground and private garden for the Ott...
14
Amusement parks
VIALAND, branded as Isfanbul, is a multifunctional complex in Istanbul combining an expansive outdoor theme park with a...
15
Venues
Ülker Stadyumu, officially known as Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi, is the historic home ground of the Fenerb...
16
Museums
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum is a private industrial museum located on the northern shore of the Golden Horn in Istanbul. Hou...
17
Zoos
Istanbul Aquarium is a thematic, multi-level facility organized into a geographical route that follows a trail from the...
18
Historical places
The Maiden's Tower, or Kız Kulesi, is an ancient stone tower situated on a small islet in the Bosphorus strait at the en...
19
Venues
Tüpraş Stadium, formerly known as Vodafone Park, serves as the home ground for Beşiktaş J.K. and is located directly on...
20
Historical places
Beyazit Square serves as the primary gateway to Istanbul University and stands on the site of the ancient Roman Forum of...
21
Places of interest
The Kadikoy Bull Statue is an iconic bronze monument situated at the Altıyol intersection in the Kadıköy district of Ist...
22
Museums
Beylerbeyi Palace is an Ottoman imperial residence commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz and completed in 1865 to serve as a...
23
Parks
Bahçeşehir Gölet Park is a 300,000-square-meter urban recreational area centered around a large artificial lake. It serv...
24
Parks
Caddebostan Coast is a prominent stretch of parkland along the Marmara Sea in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul. The coas...
25
Places of interest
Ortaköy Square is a waterfront public space situated directly beneath the 15 July Martyrs Bridge on the Bosphorus Strait...
26
Parks
Beylikdüzü Yaşam Vadisi is an extensive linear park system stretching over one million square meters, functioning as the...
27
Venues
Zorlu Performing Arts Center (Zorlu PSM) is a multi-venue performing arts complex located within the Zorlu Center mixed-...
28
Temples
The Aziz Mahmud Hudayi Mosque is a significant spiritual center located in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, housing the...
29
Temples
The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is the largest Roman Catholic church in Istanbul, located directly on the bustling...
30
Natural attractions
Florya Atatürk Forest is a significant urban green space located along the Marmara Sea coast in the Bakırköy district of...
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Istanbul on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Istanbul
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures and clear skies, avoiding the peak heat of summer and the potential snowfall of winter.
4-5 days, as the city's vast historical sites and diverse neighborhoods are spread across both European and Asian sides.
The city utilizes an extensive network of modern trams, metro lines, ferries, and funiculars, supplemented by walking in the historic peninsula.
Sultanahmet is best for proximity to major monuments, while Beyoğlu and Karaköy provide access to modern nightlife and the city's contemporary art scene.
Istanbul is generally a mid-range destination, offering a wide spectrum of options from affordable street food to luxury Bosphorus-front hotels.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 4,946 curated attractions in and around Istanbul, ranked by traveller ratings.
Galata Tower is the highest-rated place to visit in Istanbul right now.
The largest category is temples, with 2,091 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Ankara, Beykoz, Bursa.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
