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🇹🇷 Türkiye

Istanbul

Two continents, one skyline of domes and minarets

Best: Apr to Jun and Sep to Nov4 to 5 days₺ TRY
Plan a trip here What now?
Handpicked and checked for 2026. Prices are typical and can change.

Ranked by how popular they are with visitors

H
1
Sultanahmet

Hagia Sophia

1,500 year old church turned mosque, the city's defining monument

1 to 2 hrs 25 EUR for the upper gallery visit (foreigners)
Tip: Go at opening; it closes to visitors during prayer times and Friday midday, dress modestly and bring a headscarf
Directions Map
B
2
Sultanahmet

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

Six minarets and 20,000 blue Iznik tiles inside

45 min Free
Tip: Closed to tourists for about 90 minutes at each prayer; shoes off, knees and shoulders covered
Directions Map
T
3
Sultanahmet

Topkapı Palace

The Ottoman sultans' palace with the Harem, treasury and Bosphorus terraces

3 to 4 hrs Approx 2,750 TRY including the Harem
Tip: Closed Tuesdays; buy online and see the Harem first before tour groups arrive
Directions Map
G
4
Beyazıt

Grand Bazaar

One of the world's oldest covered markets, 4,000 shops across 60 lanes

2 to 3 hrs Free
Tip: Closed Sundays; bargain politely and start around half the first price
Directions Map
B
5
Sultanahmet

Basilica Cistern

Moody 6th century underground reservoir with the Medusa head columns

45 min Approx 1,950 TRY daytime, 3,000 TRY evening
Tip: Queues are shortest right at opening
Directions Map
B
6
Eminönü

Bosphorus ferry cruise

See palaces, mansions and both continents from the water

2 to 6 hrs Public ferries from approx 45 TRY per hop with Istanbulkart; tour boats extra
Tip: The public Şehir Hatları long Bosphorus tour goes to Anadolu Kavağı and back for far less than private cruises
Directions Map
G
7
Galata / Beyoğlu

Galata Tower

Medieval Genoese tower with 360 degree views over the Golden Horn

1 hr 30 EUR
Tip: The view from the street and nearby rooftop cafes is free; go at opening to skip the long line
Directions Map
S
8
Eminönü

Spice Bazaar

Fragrant 17th century market for spices, lokum, tea and dried fruit

1 hr Free
Tip: Better prices in the side streets around it, where locals shop
Directions Map
S
9
Fatih

Süleymaniye Mosque

Sinan's masterpiece with calmer crowds and a terrace view of the Golden Horn

1 hr Free
Tip: Walk up from the Spice Bazaar and eat kuru fasulye (beans) at the lokantas outside
Directions Map
D
10
Beşiktaş

Dolmabahçe Palace

Lavish 19th century waterfront palace with a 4.5 tonne crystal chandelier

2 to 3 hrs Approx 2,000 TRY for Selamlık and Harem
Tip: Closed Mondays; photos not allowed inside the rooms
Directions Map