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Istanbul, Turkey

Things to Do in Istanbul

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

Most booked tours and tickets in Istanbul

Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

5.010,496 reviews7h
Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Experience on Luxury Yacht

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Experience on Luxury Yacht

4.95,654 reviews2h 15m
Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry

Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry

5.03,746 reviews5h 30m
Istanbul Mega Lufer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show Pvt Table

Istanbul Mega Lufer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show Pvt Table

4.63,274 reviews3h
Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks

4.92,415 reviews2h 30m
Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Live Guide & Asian Side Stop

Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Live Guide & Asian Side Stop

5.02,390 reviews2h 30m
Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option

Istanbul Gedikpasa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option

4.92,030 reviews1h
Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises

Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises

4.92,015 reviews2h

Tickets and tours by attraction

The best options for each of Istanbul's top sights, compared.

Top sights in Istanbul

  1. 1Hagia Sophia
  2. 2Blue Mosque
  3. 3Grand Bazaar
  4. 4Topkapi Palace
  5. 5Bosphorus Cruise
  6. 6Basilica Cistern
  • A Living History Museum: Walk through layers of empire. Explore the opulent Topkapi Palace, home to sultans for centuries, see the ancient Roman engineering of the Basilica Cistern, and marvel at the intricate Iznik tiles inside the Süleymaniye Mosque. History here isn't behind glass; it's the ground you walk on.
  • The Bosphorus: Sail the legendary strait that divides continents. A public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy offers an unbeatable, affordable cruise past Dolmabahçe Palace, the Maiden's Tower, and waterfront neighborhoods. For a different perspective, walk across the Galata Bridge, watching fishermen below and the city unfold around you.
  • A Culinary Capital: Istanbul's food scene is a journey in itself. Feast on meze platters in a buzzing meyhane in Karaköy, savor freshly grilled fish sandwiches (balık ekmek) from boats at the Eminönü docks, and lose yourself in the sweet shops of Kadıköy sampling baklava and Turkish delight.

Tickets and passes in Istanbul

Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim

Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim

4.92,190 reviews6h
Istanbul E-pass: Top Istanbul Attractions with Skip The Ticket Line

Istanbul E-pass: Top Istanbul Attractions with Skip The Ticket Line

4.81,529 reviews24h
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience

Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience

4.51,453 reviews3h
Pub Crawl Istanbul: Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus

Pub Crawl Istanbul: Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus

4.9907 reviews6h

Food and drink experiences in Istanbul

Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience Istanbul

Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience Istanbul

5.01,114 reviews3h 15m
Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop

Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop

5.01,063 reviews2h 30m
Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience

Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience

4.9750 reviews3h

Day trips and outdoor activities from Istanbul

Istanbul Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise Experience with Local Guide

Istanbul Sunset Luxury Yacht Cruise Experience with Local Guide

4.92,589 reviews2h
Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Guide and Asian Side Stop

Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Guide and Asian Side Stop

4.91,907 reviews2h 30m
Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table

Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table

4.91,186 reviews3h

Hidden gems in Istanbul

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

Süleymaniye Mosque Complex

An architectural masterpiece by Mimar Sinan, perched on one of Istanbul's seven hills.

Balat & Fener

Colorful, historic neighborhoods on the Golden Horn, once home to large Greek, Jewish, and Armenian communities.

Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı)

A massive 15th-century Ottoman fortress built by Mehmed the Conqueror to control the Bosphorus.

Pierre Loti Hill & Eyüp Sultan Mosque

A cable car ride up to a hilltop cafe with legendary views over the Golden Horn, near one of Islam's holiest sites.

Kuzguncuk

A picturesque, leafy neighborhood on the Asian side, known for its historic wooden houses and interfaith harmony.

Day trips from Istanbul

Princes' Islands (Büyükada)

90 min by ferry from Kabataş

A step back in time to a car-free oasis. The largest of the islands offers Victorian-era wooden mansions, pine forests, and peaceful beaches. Transportation is by horse-drawn carriage (fayton), bicycle, or on foot.

Edirne

2.5 hours by bus from Istanbul

The former capital of the Ottoman Empire before Istanbul. This elegant city is famed for its magnificent Selimiye Mosque, a masterpiece by architect Mimar Sinan, and its annual oil-wrestling festival.

Sile & Ağva

1.5-2 hours by bus from Üsküdar

Escape to the Black Sea coast. Sile is known for its iconic lighthouse and beaches, while nearby Ağva is a tranquil fishing village nestled between two rivers, offering a serene, natural retreat.

Plan your Istanbul trip

Things to do in Istanbul: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Istanbul?+

Top sights include Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. Away from the crowds, try Süleymaniye Mosque Complex and Balat & Fener.

What are the most popular tours in Istanbul?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour (5.0 stars, 10,496 reviews); Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Experience on Luxury Yacht (4.9 stars, 5,654 reviews); Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry (5.0 stars, 3,746 reviews).

How much do tours in Istanbul cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €6 and €125 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.