HISTORICAL AND TOURIST SITES AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul is undoubtedly the city in our country with the most must-see attractions. Those in search of history, culture, entertainment, and much more should certainly pay a visit to Istanbul. There are hundreds of spots perfect for photography as you explore. With a population approaching 20 million, Istanbul is a major destination for both domestic and international travelers. From museums and mosques to scenic viewpoints and diverse dining options, Istanbul offers an experience that covers everything you could imagine.
Places to visit in Istanbul
Spanning both the European and Anatolian sides, the city is easily accessible via sea, air, and land. The variety of options available for sightseeing tours makes it an even more attractive destination. You can explore the city with a group of friends or take a short break from a business trip to enjoy a city tour. However, one day is simply not enough to cover all the places worth seeing in Istanbul. With a well-planned itinerary and efficient use of your time, you can enjoy a full, action-packed three-day visit.
There are certain iconic locations—places synonymous with Istanbul—that you absolutely must visit. A list of these essential spots is provided below; you can customize this list to suit your own preferences and make the most of your trip. Additionally, you can join Istanbul tours departing from Izmir, organized with the distinct quality of Bellimatur.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Topkapı Palace
Eminönü
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Basilica Cistern
Galata Tower
Taksim
Gülhane Park
Cağaloğlu Hamam
Of course, there are many other places not mentioned here. This article will be updated frequently, and our editors will keep the content on places to visit in Istanbul current and engaging. Istanbul is one of the most well-known cities in the world, boasting an economy larger than that of hundreds of individual nations. Bearing traces of the Ottoman era and even earlier periods, the city serves as a place where various faiths and traditions are preserved and kept alive.
Dolmabahçe Palace, Beşiktaş
Dolmabahçe Palace is located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, along the shores of the Bosphorus. The palace was built during the Ottoman Empire and completed in the mid-19th century. Its construction began during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid and was finalized and put into use during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz.
Dolmabahçe Palace features a style that blends traditional Ottoman architecture with European influences. It comprises a total of 285 rooms, 43 halls, and 6 Turkish baths (hamams). Situated within a vast garden, the palace commands a magnificent view of the Bosphorus.
Following the deposition of Vahdettin—the last Ottoman Sultan—in 1922, the palace was not used as an official residence by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first President of the Republic of Turkey, who preferred the Çankaya Mansion in Ankara.
Today, Dolmabahçe Palace is open to the public as a museum, offering visitors an insight into the final period of the Ottoman Empire.
Topkapı Palace: History and Entrance Fees
Topkapı Palace is a grand palace complex located in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, which served as a primary residence for the Ottoman Empire during the 15th and 16th centuries. Construction of the palace began in 1465 under the orders of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (Fatih Sultan Mehmed), and it remained in use by Ottoman sultans until the 19th century.
Topkapı Palace served as the political and administrative center of the Ottoman Empire; it encompassed the Harem quarters, residences, gardens, mosques, a library, a treasury, and various other structures.
Topkapı Palace Combined Ticket I (Topkapı Palace + Hagia Irene)
Ticket Price for Domestic Visitors: 150 TL
Ticket Price for International Visitors: 750 TL
Reduced Ticket Price: 50 TL
Topkapı Palace Combined Ticket II (Topkapı Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem)
Ticket Price for Domestic Visitors: 200 TL
Ticket Price for International Visitors: 950 TL
Reduced Ticket Price: 60 TL
Harem
Ticket Price for Domestic Visitors: 80 TL
Ticket Price for International Visitors: 350 TL
Reduced Ticket Price: 30 TL
Hagia Irene
Ticket Price for Domestic Visitors: 60 TL
Ticket Price for International Visitors: 300 TL
Reduced Ticket Price: 25 TL
