Must SeeFree
Süleymaniye Mosque
Fatih
Sinan’s magnificent mosque, with a huge dome, a peaceful courtyard and a great view over the Golden Horn.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Photographers
Daily; closed at prayer times
Istanbul
24 places, 14 of them free and 8 tours and activities. A city on two continents, of mosques, bazaars and Bosphorus ferries.
Plan your Istanbul trip
- Flight + Hotel PackageRecommended Best option if you want the trip arranged together. View Packages Packages
- Hotels Prefer to book accommodation separately? View Hotels Hotels
- Flights Already have accommodation? View Flights Flights
- Things To Do Tours, attractions and experiences. View Activities Activities
Hidden GemsFree
Chora Church (Kariye)
Edirnekapı
A small Byzantine church whose interior is covered in beautiful 14th-century mosaics and frescoes.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily; hours vary
Hidden GemsFree
Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Eminönü
A small mosque up a staircase from the Spice Bazaar, lined with exquisite Iznik tiles.
- Suggested time: 30 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily; closed at prayer times
Must See~£14
Dolmabahçe Palace
Beşiktaş
An opulent 19th-century Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus with crystal chandeliers and the biggest chandelier in the world.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Tuesday–Sunday; closed Mondays
Hidden GemsFree
Pierre Loti Hill
Eyüp
A hilltop café with a wide Golden Horn view, reached by cable car from the Eyüp Sultan mosque area.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Photographers
Open-air; cable car runs daily
Hidden Gems~£3
Bosphorus Ferry to Anadolu Kavağı
Eminönü
A public ferry along the whole Bosphorus to the fishing village at the Black Sea end, at bargain prices.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Photographers
Daily ferries; check times
Hidden GemsFree
Karaköy and Galata Streets
Karaköy
Istanbul’s creative quarter of cafés, galleries and workshops, in old warehouses and steep streets.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Nightlife fans
Open-air; venues open daily
Hidden Gems~£8
Museum of Innocence and Çukurcuma
Cihangir
A small museum of everyday objects that inspired Orhan Pamuk’s novel, in a quiet antiques district.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Tuesday–Sunday; closed Mondays
Planning Istanbul? 12 places to eat are one tap away.