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Things to do in Istanbul

Attractions (167)

Tours (105)

Nightlife (32)

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Istanbul weather essentials

Month
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Feb
47°F 8°C
37°F 2°C
Mar
51°F 10°C
39°F 3°C
Apr
59°F 15°C
45°F 7°C
May
69°F 20°C
54°F 12°C
Jun
77°F 25°C
63°F 17°C
Jul
83°F 28°C
69°F 20°C
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Traveller Advice on Things to do in Istanbul

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  • Ask a question or view 458 posts on Istanbul from this week.
Professional Advice (4)
Title Source
“Historic Hamams (Turkish Baths)” Frommer's
“Sights along the Bosphorus” Frommer's
“Istanbul sights & activities” Fodors.com
“Istanbul Sights & Attractions Overview” Fodors.com
Traveller recommended attractions
Rating Name
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directions
Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)
Ollie #1 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 1,220 reviews

If you visit Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, here are some maps, which are designed for the Audioguide of Hagia Sophia. http://www.flickr... http://picasaweb.... http://en.wikiped... You... more »

Attraction type  Architectural Buildings; Religious Sites; History Museums; Historic Sites
Distance  2.8 km from city centre
Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)
Ollie #2 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 307 reviews
Owner description: This 11th-century church was noted for its remarkable mosaics illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. It has since been...... more » Owner description: This 11th-century church was noted for its remarkable mosaics illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. It has since been converted into a museum. « less
Attraction type  History Museums; Architectural Buildings; Art Museums
Suleymaniye Mosque
Ollie #3 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 209 reviews
Owner description: Famed architect Sinan built this majestic structure for one of the greatest rulers of the Ottoman Empire. Although this mosque is less ornate, there...... more » Owner description: Famed architect Sinan built this majestic structure for one of the greatest rulers of the Ottoman Empire. Although this mosque is less ornate, there are many similarities between it and the Hagia Sophia since the same architect was responsible for both. « less
Attraction type  Religious Sites; Architectural Buildings
Sultanahmet District
Ollie #4 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 417 reviews
The old section of Istanbul where you can find many attractions including Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
Attraction type  Neighbourhoods; Historic Walking Areas
Istanbul Old Town
Ollie #5 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 164 reviews
Attraction type  Neighbourhoods
map
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directions
Basilica Cistern
Ollie #6 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 882 reviews

The Basilica Cistern (Turkish: Yerebatan Sarayı - "Sunken Palace", or Yerebatan Sarnıcı - "Sunken Cistern") is located in opposite of Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque). it's a... more »

Attraction type  Historic Sites; Landmarks/ Points of Interest; Bodies of Water; Ancient Ruins
Distance  2.0 km from city centre
Bosphorus Strait
Ollie #7 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 288 reviews
Attraction type  Bodies of Water
Historic Areas of Istanbul
Ollie #8 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 72 reviews
Attraction type  Historic Sites
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directions
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Ollie #9 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 864 reviews

Just amazing! Travellers call it "Blue Mosque" but Turks call it ''SultanAhmet Mosque". If it is in your itinerary both ways, it is NOT two places, but the same place. Built... more »

Attraction type  Architectural Buildings; Churches/ Cathedrals
Distance  2.4 km from city centre
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directions
Istanbul Archaeology Museum (Arkeoloji Muzesi)
Ollie #10 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 244 reviews
Owner description: Besides its importance as the first Turkish museum, it remains one of the world's largest museums with over one million works. Opened to the public in...... more » Owner description: Besides its importance as the first Turkish museum, it remains one of the world's largest museums with over one million works. Opened to the public in 1891, it houses a collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine artifacts. « less
Attraction type  History Museums
Distance  1.6 km from city centre
Istanbul Walk
Ollie #11 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 49 reviews
Attraction type  Historic Walking Areas
Rustem Pasha Mosque
Ollie #12 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 73 reviews
Owner description: One of the smaller mosques in the city, it was built by Rustem Pasa in 1561 and is noted for the very fine tiles covering the interior and exterior...... more » Owner description: One of the smaller mosques in the city, it was built by Rustem Pasa in 1561 and is noted for the very fine tiles covering the interior and exterior walls. « less
Attraction type  Religious Sites; Architectural Buildings
Rahmi M. Koc Museum
Ollie #13 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
5 of 5 stars 22 reviews
Attraction type  Museums
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directions
Eyup Sultan Mosque (Eyup Sultan Camii)
Ollie #14 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 57 reviews
Owner description: This mosque stands outside the city walls at the location where Hz Eyyubu El-Ensari, a noted Islamic individual, died in the assault on Constantinople...... more » Owner description: This mosque stands outside the city walls at the location where Hz Eyyubu El-Ensari, a noted Islamic individual, died in the assault on Constantinople in 670 AD. « less
Attraction type  Religious Sites; Architectural Buildings; Historic Sites
Distance  5.3 km from city centre
Corlulu Ali pasa Medresesi
Ollie #15 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
5 of 5 stars 10 reviews
Attraction type  Religious Sites; Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Topkapi Palace
Ollie #16 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 799 reviews

Topkapi Palace is an amazing place to see. It is not only immense in size and structure but also full of history and tales to tell. Building was first constructed in 1459 by... more »

Attraction type  Architectural Buildings; Historic Sites; History Museums; Art Museums; Museums
Turkish Dance Night at Hodjapasha
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Ollie #17 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 155 reviews
Owner description: Turkish dances from different regions of Anatolia are performed as well as group and solo oriental dances with modern choreography in the collages,...... more » Owner description: Turkish dances from different regions of Anatolia are performed as well as group and solo oriental dances with modern choreography in the collages, with specially designed costumes and accompanied by live music. This attraction takes place at Hodjapasha Culture Center. In addition, an exhibition in the foyer area which describes The History of Dance Culture in Turkey can be seen.Performance is in two parts and takes 1 hour total. as regularly every Tuesday and Thursday at 20:00 and 21:00 on Saturdays « less
Attraction type  Theatres
Kucuk Ayasofya Camii (Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus)
Ollie #18 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 31 reviews
Attraction type  Historic Sites
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Istanbul Modern Museum
Ollie #19 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 124 reviews
Owner description: Temporary and permanent exhibition halls, photography gallery, cinema hall, video art area and new media art area make up the platform that presents...... more » Owner description: Temporary and permanent exhibition halls, photography gallery, cinema hall, video art area and new media art area make up the platform that presents diverse forms of art that can be experienced at Istanbul Modern in addition to an arts library, a shop that combines design with art and its cafe and restaurant that offers its visitors a fantastic view of Istanbul. « less
Attraction type  Art Museums
Distance  0.4 km from city centre
Hodjapasha Culture Centre
Ollie #20 of 167 attractions in Istanbul
4.5 of 5 stars 16 reviews
Attraction type  Theatres