10 TOP Things to Do in Istanbul January 2026

The Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles that are used to decorate the interior) is one of the grandest and most famous mosques in Istanbul.

The mosque was criticized early on for having 6 minarets – the same number of the Great Mosque in Mecca. Sultan Ahmet overcame this problem by ordering a 7th minaret to be built at the Great Mosque.

One local anecdote claims that the original design called for several gold minarets. The architect realized that there wasn't enough gold in the empire to construct gold minarets, so he built six minarets instead. When questioned about his decision, the architect claimed that he mistakenly heard the instruction to be six ("altı" in Turkish) minarets rather than gold ("altın" in Turkish) minarets.

#StunningStructures #Trovember

These fabulous gates are in the grounds of the palace and that's the Bosporus you see beyond! #river #palaces

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Top places to visit

1. Hagia Sophia

Known as “Ayasofa” (Sacred Wisdom) in Turkish, the Hagia Sofia started out as a church, becoming a cathedral under the Byzantine empire. Later it would become a mosque, and most recently a museum and monument that is hugely valued by the people of Turkey.

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2. Grand Bazaar

Originally opened in the mid-15th century by Sultan Mehmet II as a site for textile trading, the Grand Bazaar continues to offer everything from pottery and tiles to spices and brassware, as well as belly-dancing clothes, pipes, ashtrays, and much more. It used to be that each street had a craft, and while this isn't strictly the case any longer, there are areas of the bazaar where you'll be able to compare your craft of choice side by side with lots of others.

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3. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is a prominent part of view of the Istanbul skyline. Constructed under Sultan Ahmed I, it was finished in 1616. Its designer's vision was to display the Islamic faith central to the Ottoman Empire in this massive site of worship.

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Blue Mosque featuring religious elements, heritage architecture and a mosque

4. Galata Tower

At just under 67 metres in height, Galata Tower was the tallest building in the city when built in 1348. It was constructed as the heart of the fortifications of the Genovese colony in Constantinople at that time, and was named the 'Tower of Christ'. Later, it became a lookout tower for fires in the 18th century, and was indeed seriously damaged by fire in both the 18th and 19th centuries. The most recent significant refurbishment took place during the 1960s, and the tower has been open to visitors since then.

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5. Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace covers over 70 hectares at the place where the city was founded, and is surrounded by more than five kilometres of walls. Despite being a 15th-century building, it is excellently preserved, and was opened to the public in 1924 by Kemal Ataturk, the 'Father of the Turks'.

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Topkapi Palace featuring a sunset and heritage architecture

6. Bosphorus Bridge

Travel between Europe and Asia and enjoy incredible views along the Bosphorus Bridge. This 1.5-kilometre (1-mile) suspension bridge spans the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Istanbul’s Ortaköy and Beylerbeyi districts.

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Bosphorus Bridge which includes a bridge, a river or creek and cruising

What to do in Istanbul

Discover the most popular places to visit in Istanbul

Taksim Square

You can learn about the local history of Istanbul during your trip to a well-known site such as Taksim Square. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its fascinating museums.

Hagia Sophia

A world famous monument to the ever-changing history of Istanbul, and one of the largest churches in the world.

Grand Bazaar

Visit one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in the world, a real taste (and smell and sound!) of the diversity that Turkey has to offer.

Blue Mosque

Named for its dazzling interior covered in blue tiles, this is a hub of Istanbul's religious life.

Galata Tower

Standing for over 650 years, this imposing cylindrical lookout point continues to offer special views over the city of Istanbul.

Bosphorus

Explore the great outdoors at Bosphorus, a popular spot to commune with nature in Istanbul. Wander the seaside in this relaxing area.

Topkapi Palace

Stately home to the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years with an array of Turkish design and foreign art.

Sultanahmet Square

You can find out about the history of Istanbul with a stop at Sultanahmet Square. Add the area's shops or notable monuments to your travel plans.

Bosphorus Bridge

Admire this transcontinental bridge from a cruise ship, see it lit up at night or use it to travel between Istanbul’s European and Asian sides.

Explore areas of Istanbul

Blue Mosque which includes a pond, a mosque and a fountain

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Taksim

4/5(72 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Taksim. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Taksim Station or Findikli Station to see more of Istanbul.

Haydarpasa station building in Istanbul ; Shutterstock ID 276386249

Kadıköy

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Kadıköy. Spend some time visiting top spots like Bosphorus, and catch the metro at Bahariye Station or Acibadem Station to see more of the area.

Beşiktaş

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Bosphorus while getting to know Beşiktaş, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Nispetiye Station or Etiler Station to see more of the area.

Cumhuriyet Anıtı featuring street scenes, a city and a square or plaza

Istanbul City Center

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

Experience the bustling atmosphere of the beating heart of Istanbul, with its splendid mix of cosmopolitan and historical attractions.

Ihlamur Pavilion, or Ihlamur Kasri, a former imperial Ottoman summer pavilion constructed during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecid I, located in Nisantasi Ihlamur Yolu street, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey

Şişli

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Travellers love Şişli for its popular shops, and you can see more of Istanbul by jumping on the metro at Sisli Station or Osmanbey Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Şişli Mosque and Bomontiada.

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