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Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Turkey.  One of the greatest existing examples of Byzantine architecture.  It was the largest cathedral in the world for 1000 years.  It was also a Mosque for 500 years and now is a museum.

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Istanbul Uncovered: The Best Things To Do in Istanbul for Every Type of Traveler

Istanbul Uncovered: 

The Best Things To Do in Istanbul for Every Type of Traveler

No visit to Istanbul is complete without standing inside the Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest buildings ever constructed by human hands. Originally built as a Christian cathedral in 537 AD, later converted into an Ottoman mosque, and now operating as a mosque once more, the Hagia Sophia has witnessed nearly 1,500 years of history within its walls. The vast dome, the shimmering golden mosaics, and the sheer scale of the interior create an experience that is genuinely awe-inspiring. Visit early in the morning to avoid the largest crowds and to experience the interior in the most atmospheric light.

For almost 400 years, Topkapi Palace was the administrative and residential heart of the Ottoman Empire. Today it is one of Istanbul's most visited museums, offering an extraordinary window into the lives of the sultans and their courts. Highlights include the Imperial Treasury, home to some of the world's most dazzling jewels and artifacts, the Harem quarters, the sacred relics of the Prophet Muhammad, and the palace terraces with their commanding views over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Allow at least half a day to do it justice.

Officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's most recognizable and beloved landmarks. Its cascade of domes and six slender minarets create one of the most beautiful silhouettes in the city, while the interior is lined with over 20,000 hand-painted blue Iznik tiles that give the mosque its famous nickname. As an active place of worship, the mosque is open to visitors outside of prayer times. Modest dress is required for entry, and the experience of standing beneath the soaring dome is one you will not forget.

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar is a mesmerizing labyrinth of over 4,000 shops spread across 61 covered streets. Here you will find everything from handwoven carpets, gold jewelry, and hand-painted ceramics to leather goods, spices, and lanterns in every color imaginable. Even if you have no intention of buying anything, the Grand Bazaar is a sensory experience unlike any other. Arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to get happily lost.

Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar in the Eminönü district is a feast for the senses. The air is thick with the scent of cumin, saffron, dried herbs, and Turkish delight, and the stalls overflow with colorful mounds of spices, teas, nuts, dried fruits, and lokum in every conceivable variety. It is a wonderful place to pick up edible souvenirs and gifts, and the surrounding streets are equally lively and interesting to explore.

Seeing Istanbul from the water is an experience that puts the city's extraordinary geography into perspective. A Bosphorus cruise takes you along the strait that separates Europe and Asia, past waterfront Ottoman palaces, wooden summer mansions known as yalis, medieval fortresses, fishing villages, and the soaring bridges that connect two continents. Both short and full-day cruises are available, and the views of the city skyline as you pull away from the shore are simply breathtaking.

A visit to a hammam, the traditional Turkish bath, is one of the most relaxing and culturally immersive experiences Istanbul has to offer. The city has dozens of historic hammams to choose from, ranging from the 16th-century Cemberlitas Hammam in Sultanahmet to the beautifully restored Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam in Karaköy. The experience typically involves a steam session, a vigorous scrub with a kese mitt, and a soap massage, leaving you feeling thoroughly refreshed and deeply relaxed.

The Galata Tower is one of Istanbul's most distinctive landmarks, a medieval stone tower that has stood in the Karaköy neighborhood since 1348. Climbing to the top rewards you with one of the best 360-degree panoramic views of the city, taking in the Golden Horn, the historic peninsula, the Bosphorus, and the sprawling skyline stretching away in every direction. The surrounding Galata neighborhood is also one of the most charming and walkable areas in Istanbul, full of independent cafes, galleries, and boutiques.

Istiklal Avenue is the beating heart of modern Istanbul, a long pedestrian boulevard in Beyoğlu lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, bookshops, and some of the city's finest examples of 19th-century European architecture. On weekends it can draw well over a million visitors, making it one of the busiest streets in the world. Ride the historic nostalgic tram that runs the length of the avenue, duck into the beautiful Art Nouveau passages that branch off it, and end your walk at the iconic Taksim Square.

Hidden beneath the streets of Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul's most atmospheric and surprising attractions. Built in the 6th century to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople, this vast underground chamber is supported by 336 marble columns and illuminated by atmospheric lighting that reflects off the still water below. The famous Medusa head column bases are a particular highlight. The cistern has recently been restored and reimagined, making it more impressive than ever to visit.

Underground water storage Yerebatan Sarayi (Basilica Cistern), the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey.

One of Istanbul's most remarkable and undervisited treasures, the Chora Church in the Fatih district contains some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaic and fresco art in existence. The vivid, detailed mosaics depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary are extraordinarily well preserved and rank among the greatest works of Byzantine art anywhere in the world. A visit here offers a profound and moving counterpoint to the more famous Byzantine monuments in Sultanahmet.

Istanbul's food scene is one of the finest and most diverse in the world, and eating well here is an attraction in its own right. Begin the day with a traditional Turkish breakfast featuring olives, white cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, and freshly baked bread. For lunch, seek out a classic lokanta for home-style Turkish cooking, or grab a freshly grilled balik ekmek (fish sandwich) by the Galata Bridge. In the evening, explore the restaurants of Beyoğlu, Karaköy, or the Bosphorus waterfront, where you can enjoy everything from refined modern Turkish cuisine to the freshest seafood imaginable.

13. Watch the Sunset from Pierre Loti Hill

Named after the French novelist who fell in love with Istanbul in the 19th century, Pierre Loti Hill in the Eyüp district offers one of the most romantic and peaceful panoramic views in the entire city. The hilltop cafe, reached by a cable car or a gentle walk through the historic cemetery, looks out over the Golden Horn and the rooftops of the old city, and watching the sun set from here over the minarets and domes is a truly magical experience that many visitors consider the highlight of their entire trip.

For a taste of contemporary Istanbul, a visit to Istanbul Modern is essential. Housed in a striking new building on the Bosphorus waterfront in Karaköy, this is Turkey's leading modern and contemporary art museum, showcasing the work of Turkish artists alongside major international names. The building itself, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, is a work of art, and the museum's cafe offers some of the best Bosphorus views of any cultural institution in the city.

If Topkapi Palace represents the height of Ottoman power, Dolmabahce Palace represents its final flourish. Built in the mid-19th century on the European shore of the Bosphorus, this extraordinarily ornate palace combines Ottoman, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Rococo elements in a way that is simultaneously extravagant and deeply beautiful. The palace's 285 rooms, 44 halls, and 68 toilets are filled with Bohemian crystal chandeliers, hand-woven Hereke carpets, and gilded furnishings of breathtaking opulence. Guided tours are required and highly recommended.

One of the most exhilarating and effortless things you can do in Istanbul is cross between Europe and Asia. The regular passenger ferries that cross the Bosphorus between Eminönü or Karaköy and the Asian districts of Kadıköy or Üsküdar are affordable, scenic, and genuinely thrilling. The Asian side offers a different pace of life, excellent street food, charming neighborhoods, and a local atmosphere that feels distinct from the more tourist-facing European side. Make the crossing at least once during your visit.

The neighboring districts of Balat and Fener on the southern shore of the Golden Horn are among the most colorful, characterful, and photogenic neighborhoods in all of Istanbul. Once home to the city's Jewish and Greek Orthodox communities respectively, these areas are filled with beautifully weathered Ottoman houses painted in faded shades of yellow, pink, and blue, narrow cobblestone streets, independent coffee shops, and vintage stores. Balat and Fener have become one of Istanbul's most beloved destinations for photographers and explorers looking to discover a side of the city far from the tourist trail.

After a day of exploring Istanbul's incredible sights, attractions, and neighborhoods, nothing matters more than having a great hotel to come back to. We strongly recommend booking your Istanbul accommodation through 

. With an extensive selection of hotels across all of Istanbul's neighborhoods and price points, competitive rates and genuine guest reviews.

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