Must Visit Places in Istanbul
Galata Tower

Entry fee: Entrance fee is now 650 Lira
Best Time: Early in the morning
Istanbul Archaeological Museum

Location: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 36 TL, Free for the holders of a Museum card
Best Time: April to June
Chora Church

As one of the most revered sacred sites in Turkey, this church attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire its stunning beauty and historical significance.
The walls of the church depict biblical stories and have images of the Virgin Mary. It is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul for all those who wish to seek the best of religious bliss and architectural grandeur.
Entry fee: 25 Turkish Liras
Best Time: Spring - March to May, and Autumn - September to November

- 5H

- 5H

- 7H
Basilica Cistern

One of the most prominent attractions of this cistern is Hen’s eye column which has a teardrop motif on it. It has a cafe and lighted elevated walkways for the convenience of the visitors.
Entry fee: 20 Turkish Lira per adult, free entry to children below the age of 7
Best Time: March-May and September-October

Prince’s Island

Prince’s Island is also an ideal spot for couples, making it a must-visit during an Istanbul honeymoon trip. The romantic ambiance, combined with the fragrant orchards, scenic views, and peaceful surroundings, creates an unforgettable setting for love and relaxation. Whether you’re strolling hand-in-hand or enjoying a quiet moment together, Prince’s Island promises a magical escape from the ordinary.
Dolmabahce Palace

Location: Visnezade, Dolmabahce Cd., 34357 Besiktas/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 60 Turkish Liras, 40 TL extra to visit the Harem section
Best Time: Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to November)


- 2H


- 2H
Grand Bazar

Entry fee: Free
Best Time: Early morning

Topkapi Palace

Location: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 72 Turkish Liras, free for children below 8 years
Best Time: Early in the morning.

Blue Mosque

Entry fee: Free
Best Time: Between noon praying hours or sunrise


- 1H

- 2D
Hagia Sophia

Location: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydani No:1, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 72 Turkish Liras, free entry for children below 8 years of age
Best Time: Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to November) months
Gulhane Park

Gulhane Park is one of the oldest urban parks in Istanbul, frequented by tourists seeking tranquillity and peace. During the Ottoman period, it served as the outer garden of Topkapi Palace and was accessible only to the royals. However, in the 16th century, it was opened to the public.
The park features a children’s playground and tree-lined paths ideal for jogging and relaxation. Known as a breeding ground for tulips, the park transforms into a wonderland when the flowers bloom.
Additionally, it offers a panoramic view of the Golden Horn, Istanbul Strait, and Sea of Marmara, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a serene stroll amidst nature.
Location: Cankurtaran, Kennedy Cd., 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free
Best Time: April when the Tulip Festival is held
Rustem Pasha Mosque

The interiors are adorned with beautiful patterns made from Iznik tiles, and the walls are covered with geometric and floral designs. The mosque also houses a religious school where the kids are taught about Islam.
Location: Rustem Pasa, Hasircilar Cd. No:62, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free
Best Time: Friday noon during prayer time

- 4H

- 2D

- 4H
Emirgan Park

Entry fee: Free
Best Time: Spring
Istanbul Modern Museum

The museum aims to share the artistic creativity of Turkey with international and local art worlds. It also hosts a wide array of interdisciplinary activities to promote contemporary and modern art, architecture, and photography design. For art lovers and cultural enthusiasts, Istanbul Modern Museum is one of the best museums in Istanbul, offering a unique collection of modern Turkish art and a vibrant space to explore the country’s artistic creativity.
Entry fee: 72 Turkish Lira per person.
Rumelihisari

A small mosque is also there inside the fort, which is frequented by Islamic devotees. It now serves as a museum and an open-air theatre.
Location: Rumeli Hisari, Yahya Kemal Cd., 34470 Sariyer/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 8 Turkish Liras
Best Time: Saturday morning when there's a weekly market in the nearby town
Taksim Square

The most popular attraction in Taksim Square is the Independence Monument which commemorative the Soviet Union during the Turkish War.
Location: Beyoglu, Istanbul
Entry fee: Free
Best Time: Spring (April to June)
Zeyrek Mosque

This is the second-largest surviving Byzantine religious structure and was named after a well-known scholar Molla Zeyrek. It served not only as a hub for Islamic teachings but also as a religious centre.
Location: Zeyrek, Ibadethane Sk. No:2, 34083 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free
Yildiz Park

You can flock to this place to have a picnic or to spend some leisure time with your friends and family. It is home to a large variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers from all around the world.
Location: Yildiz, 34349 Besiktas/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free
Best Time: Early morning
Sulyemaniye Mosque

To explore this architectural masterpiece, it is recommended to plan your visit in advance, as entry is free but it can get crowded during peak hours. To fully appreciate its beauty and historical significance, consider joining a Suleymaniye Mosque Walking Tour, which often includes this iconic mosque as a highlight, offering insightful commentary and a deeper understanding of its architecture and history.
Entry fee: Free

Places to Visit With Family and Kids
Isfanbul Theme Park (Vialand)
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The park is spread over 600,000 m2 and is divided into three different zones- The game zone, the historical zone, and the adventure zone. You can meet your favourite cartoon characters, you can land in the world of fairies, or you can even indulge in a great shopping experience at the magnanimous shopping mall here.
Location: Yesilpinar, Sht. Metin Kaya Sk. No: 11/1, 34065 Eyup/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 259 Turkish liras

Sea Life

The aquarium is home to around fifteen thousand sea creatures, and it has twenty-one themed areas. You can touch the crabs and sea fish in the interactive rock pools and admire the magnanimous sea bed display.
Location: Kocatepe, Pasa Cd 5/5, 34045 Bayrampasa/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 55 Turkish Liras

Miniaturk

Spread over three acres, it is the largest miniature park in Istanbul that gives you a glimpse of the rich history, culture, and tradition prevailing over here. It also features the waterworks and pools of Turkey to make your journey to this park even more enthralling. Visiting Miniaturk is one of the best things to do in Istanbul with kids, as it provides a fun and educational experience for all ages.
Location: Ornektepe, Imrahor Cd. No:7, 34445 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 15 Turkish Liras
Istanbul Toy Museum

For example, you can learn about the attempt to reach the moon in the space toy section, and you can gain insight into the industrial revolution in the train toy section. It is a great place for the families to strengthen their bond by hitting the road of childhood together.
Location: Goztepe Mah. Omerpasa Cad, Doktor Zeki Zeren Sokak No:17, 34730 Kadikoy/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 13 TL per adult
Best Time: Weekday
Rahmi M. Koc Museum

It is widely regarded as one of the best museums in Turkey, featuring a diverse collection that appeals to all ages. The museum also includes a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, a steam room, and a cozy English pub, making it a perfect destination for both learning and leisure. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for an engaging experience, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum is a must-visit attraction in Istanbul.
Location: Piri Pasa, Haskoy Cd. No:5 D:No:5, 34445 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 18 Turkish Liras per adult
Best Time: Early in the morning on Weekdays
Legoland Discovery Centre

It has Lego 4D cinema, Miniland, Legoland Factory, and many other sections to keep the visitors fully entertained. It also has a coffee shop and lego shop to further exhilarate your fun quotient.
Location: Photo of Pasa, Forum Istanbul, No: 3 Kocatepe Mah. , 34045 Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 71 Turkish Liras for adults and 55 Turkish Liras for children

Madame Tussauds Istanbul Wax Museum

The museum has 5 themed galleries and sixty wax replicas of Einstein, Brad Pitt, Steve Jobs, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Baris Manco, and many more. For a star-studded experience, book your Madame Tussauds tickets in advance and get up close to the lifelike wax figures of your favourite celebrities and iconic personalities!
Location: Huseyinaga, Grand Pera, Istiklal Cd. no: 56/58, 34440 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 80 Turkish Liras per adult
Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum

Along with the collection of rare classic cars, you can also find here a collection of petrol memorabilia and other related accessories.
Location: Ferahevler, Nuri Pasa Cd. No:107, 34457 Sariyer/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 50 Euro
Istanbul Dolphinarium

For kids above the age of ten years, there is also a chance to swim with the dolphins in the pools.
Location: Silahtaraga Mahallesi, Silahtaraga Cd. No: 2 D:4, 34050 Eyup/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 20 TL for kids & 35 TL for adults
Best Time: Spring, from March to May
Kidzania

It is a world made for the kids and includes everything ranging from sidewalks to streets to buses, cars, and hospitals all adapted to the size of the kids.
Location: Acibadem, Cecen Sokagi No:25A, 34660 Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 40,00 TL for adults, 150 TL for kids below 14 years
Fethi Pasa Park & Grove

It has been renovated recently and has been opened to the public for an ultimate dose of recreation. The pavilions in the grove have been converted into a café and restaurant that operate even at night to relish the taste buds of the visitors.
Location: Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free
Bosphorus Cruise

Taking the Bosphorus cruise tour, you’ll get to witness seventy different tourist attractions along the coast. If you take the full Bosphorus Cruise, then you’re also offered dinner at the local fish restaurants.
Sortie Club

It offers an elite ambiance and is frequented by only high-class people because of its exotic location and pulsating vibes. Sortie Club is the best place to hang out with your friends and family members in Istanbul.
Location: Bostanci, Bagdat Cd. 524/A, 34744 Kadikoy/Istanbul, Turkey
Enjoy a Turkish Bath

Also at night, there is less crowd which means the experts will focus on you more and will help you get a rewarding experience. Some of the famous hammams where you can enjoy a relaxing Turkish bath in Istanbul are Cagaloglu Hamam, Cemberlitas Hamam, and Galatasaray Hamam.
The serene ambiance and expert care during nighttime visits allow you to fully unwind and recharge. Whether you're seeking relaxation or a cultural experience, a Turkish bath in Istanbul is a must-try for every traveler.

Arnavutkoy

It has some of the best cocktail bars and nightclubs where you can have the best parties of your life. It is the best way to experience Istanbul at night, beneath the clear sky, twinkling stars, and the enchanting glow of the city, where history and modernity come alive after dark.
Ortakoy Mosque

The walls of the mosque are built of white stone, and the building has two balcony minarets that enhance the beauty of the mosque in multifold amounts. You are advised to visit the mosque at night as when the lights are illuminated the beauty of the mosque enhances to the next level
Location: Mecidiye, Mecidiye Koprusu Sk. No:1 D:1, 34347 Besiktas/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free
Bosphorus Bridge

Earlier you could walk along the bridge, but now bridge walk has been fully restricted, and only vehicles can cross through this bridge. At night the bridge lights up with LED lights making it an Instagram-worthy site for the visitors. You can take a cruise at the bridge during nighttime to enjoy the splendid sight of the beautifully lit-up bridge.
Location: Kuzguncuk, 15 Temmuz Sehitler Koprusu, Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkey
Best Time: Night

Galata Bridge

You can walk across the bridge to have a magnificent view of Istanbul during the night. An abundance of cheap and tasty Turkish street food is sold around the bridge during the night hours as a huge crowd frequents the area during this time. You can even cruise the Golden Horn section by catching the ferry boats over here during the night.
This bridge has been featured in many Turkish novels, poetry, and literature due to its impeccable beauty and charm.
Location: Kemankes Karamustafa Pasa, Galata Koprusu, 34425 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: 35 Turkish Liras per adult, free for children below 7 years
Best Time: 9:AM
Maiden's Tower for Sunset

You’ll have to take a boat ride to reach this tower as it is situated on the sea, but the experience that you get over makes the entire ride totally worth it.
Location: Salacak, Uskudar Salacak Mevkii, 34668 Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkey
Best Time: Evening
Istiklal Caddesi
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Istiklal Caddesi also has theatres, art galleries, pubs, cafes, nightclubs and coffee shops where you can relax and unwind. This one-kilometre-long street joins Karakoy to Taksim Square and links the historic city to the modern town.
Best Time: Weekend
Kumkapi

It also has some cocktail bars where you can sample traditional Turkish drinks. Kumkapi also has some of the most thriving nightclubs where you can drink, dance, and have never ending fun.
Location: northern shore of Marmara Sea, Istanbul
Best Time: Night
Meyhane

It operates till late night and is known for throwing some of the steamiest parties at night. A musical night is also organized during the night hours to keep the visitors entertained. You’re served over here alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, vodka beer and raki along with traditional food and meze. You can also experience the authentic Turkish culture here as you enjoy the mesmerizing performances by the local artists.
Location: Katip Mustafa Celebi Mahallesi, Siraselviler Caddesi, Otopark No:1, 34433 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Best Time: Night
Dancing Fountain at Sultanahmet

During summer, people love to savor a Turkish ice cream while watching the water of the fountain getting illuminated into a rainbow of different colors at night.
Best Time: Summer
Babylon

The main hall boasts of having a state of the art music system and a seating capacity of around five hundred people. It hosts some of the most spectacular performers from all around the world.
Location: Merkez, Silahsor Caddesi & Birahane Sokak Tarihi Bomonti Bira Fabrikasi No:1, 34384 Sisli/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Rs. 30.0 per person
Club Xlarge

It offers a great clubbing experience where you can party the whole night with unlimited booze and fun in the company of your gang. The food served here is also extremely salivating, and you’ll like to come here again and again due to the tons of experiences that it offers.
Location: Maslak Mahallesi Ataturk Sanayi Sitesi 1. Kisim, 52. Sokak No:12, 34385, Turkey
Best Time: Night
Places to Visit in Istanbul for Shopping
Nisantasi

You can buy jewelry from Aida Bergsen and accessories from Adidas shop. It also has some restaurants, cafes, and historical buildings that reflect European style architecture.
Bebek

It is also home to some of the upscale brands like Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Emporio Armani. There are plenty of street shops over here, and you can spend hours exploring up and down these streets.
Kanyon Shopping Mall

Whether you’re looking for homeware from abroad or from Turkey, this shopping mall will offer you everything you need. It also has a restaurant where you can have an amazing meal once you’re done shopping.
Bagdat Caddesi

You can shop for everything that you want over here at one roof. It also has some of the best cafes and restaurants where you can have mouth-watering delicacies.
Serdar-I Ekrem

You can buy both high-end designer labels as well as cheap local products over here as per your budget. It is a treasure trove of high-end clothes, souvenirs, and cosmetic products that you can buy at a discounted rate.
Bomonti Flea Market

Location: Cumhuriyet, Semt Pazari No:8, 34380 Sisli/Istanbul, Turkey
Entry fee: Free