Visiting Istanbul offers tourists an abundance of enjoyment and entertainment. When you travel to Istanbul, you’ll be amazed by the many wonderful places to visit. In this article, we will showcase 10 must-see places to visit in Istanbul this year that will make your trip unforgettable.
Why should you visit Istanbul?
Istanbul is too famous to be introduced, and it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the region and the world. There are many reasons why you should plan a tourist visit in Istanbul:
Impressive Infrastructure
Istanbul boasts an incredible tourist infrastructure, making it a city that attracts millions of tourists every year. The city’s infrastructure includes a variety of top-class hotels and an extensive transportation network connecting the heart of the city to its outskirts and main attractions. Istanbul is also home to one of the largest airports in the region, offering the best services to travelers. Not to be overlooked are the city’s luxurious restaurants, cafes, malls, and markets. Nature lovers will find well-maintained parks, beautiful beaches, and service facilities for its historical monuments.
Stunning Nature
Istanbul is blessed with magnificent natural beauty. The city’s stunning coastal views overlook both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, with multiple bridges crossing it and ships sailing beneath.
Istanbul’s landscape also includes majestic mountains, astonishing nature reserves, parks, numerous rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. The municipality of Istanbul has utilized this natural beauty to its full potential, maintaining and preserving it and transforming it into a safe tourist destination for visitors.
Rich History and Amazing Landmarks
Istanbul has always been a cultural crossroads, linking East and West, Asia and Europe. Its unique location has made it the seat of various empires and kingdoms throughout history, most notably the Ottoman Empire, which left a rich Islamic legacy. This long history has given Istanbul an abundance of historical landmarks and beautiful sites that now serve as major tourist attractions, providing visitors with cultural enrichment, enjoyment, and relaxation.
10 Must-Visit Places in Istanbul
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks and attracts many visitors due to its ancient history, which dates back to the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD. It was built as an underground reservoir to store rainwater for use during droughts. Also known as the Sunken Palace, it is the largest of Istanbul’s ancient cemeteries, covering an area of 9,800 square meters.
Visitors can enjoy:
- A tour of the site to explore its impressive architecture and take photos.
- Discovering the internal Byzantine art through its numerous giant columns.
- Watching colorful fish swimming beneath the water.
- Taking a break in the on-site café for refreshments.
- Visiting nearby attractions like Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul reflects the city’s diverse cultural heritage. Originally a cathedral, it was later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and was reopened as a mosque in 2020.
Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, with its strategic location and distinctive dome, which stands 55.6 meters high and is adorned with mosaics. Over time, Ottoman minarets and Islamic decorations were added while retaining Christian icons.
The mosque is located near major tourist attractions such as the Blue Mosque and the Sultan’s Palace and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden’s Tower, or the Tower of the Maiden, is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most famous landmarks. Located on a small island at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait, where the sea meets both the European and Asian continents, it dates back to the Byzantine era, when the Athenian general Cephedes built it to monitor the waterway.
In 2000, the tower was converted into a tourist restaurant. It consists of six floors connected by a spiral staircase, with a dome designed to protect it from earthquakes. The tower stands about 23 meters high and offers a restaurant and gift shop on the lower floors. The second floor tells a legendary love story through unique artwork. At the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Bosphorus while sipping drinks.
Istanbul Archaeological Museum
The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the city’s largest and most important museums, housing rare collections from ancient civilizations such as the Bronze Age, Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods.
Founded during the Ottoman era in 1891, the museum continues to attract visitors today with its chronological displays, offering a comprehensive experience of civilizational evolution.
The museum is located near Gulhane Park and Topkapi Palace, making it easily accessible by public transportation or on foot. It features rare artifacts such as tools, coins, and jewelry, providing significant insights into the history of civilizations in Turkey and the region.
Gulhane Park
Gulhane Park is one of Istanbul’s most beautiful green spaces, located near Sultanahmet Square and close to the city’s most famous attractions, such as Topkapi Palace. The park is known for its lush greenery, dense trees, and a small stream that flows through it, creating a peaceful retreat for both locals and tourists. The park is especially lovely in the spring, when nature blooms in full glory. Visitors come here to relax, read, and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Sultanahmet Square
Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul is one of the city’s most important tourist destinations, featuring a collection of famous landmarks and bustling Turkish markets. This area, once a Roman chariot-racing track, became a central location for cultural and social activities during the Byzantine era. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the square became the center of Ottoman rule for 400 years.
Visitors can enjoy walking around the vast square and taking photos, followed by a visit to nearby attractions such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Turkish cuisine can be savored at nearby restaurants, while the local markets and cozy cafes add to the experience.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the largest and most famous mosques in Turkey and the world, located in the Suleymaniye district on the European side of Istanbul. The mosque was built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century as a symbol of his power and grandeur. Its Islamic architecture is renowned for its beauty, featuring four towering minarets. Designed by the famous architect Sinan Pasha, the mosque is considered his greatest architectural achievement. Constructed between 1550 and 1557, it remains one of Istanbul’s top tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year to admire its architectural brilliance and distinct sections.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace is one of Istanbul’s most splendid palaces, situated directly on the Bosphorus on the Asian side of the city. Commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1865 as a summer residence and a place to host important visitors, the palace blends Eastern and Western architectural styles, featuring red carpets and stunning French crystal chandeliers. The palace’s grand reception hall includes a pool and fountain, adding a unique charm.
The Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is one of Istanbul’s most prominent landmarks and a magnificent Islamic architectural marvel. Located in Sultanahmet Square, adjacent to Hagia Sophia, the mosque stands out for its impressive design and grand dome, one of the largest in Turkey. The mosque boasts six minarets, inspired by the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Built between 1018 and 1020 AH by architect Mehmet Ağa, the mosque symbolizes the Ottoman Empire’s dominance after military defeats. The mosque is adorned with golden decorations and intricate carvings, making it a popular tourist attraction for visitors worldwide, offering an unparalleled architectural and cultural experience.
Istanbul Toy Museum
Istanbul Toy Museum is a unique tourist destination, combining entertainment and education. Children can explore toys from all around the world, while adults can reminisce about their childhood. The museum is housed in a white wooden building and features four floors displaying over 10,000 toys from different eras and countries. Some of the oldest toys date back more than 200 years, with a special section dedicated to space-themed toys, taking visitors on a whimsical journey. The museum also offers activities for children to enhance their skills, as well as a gift shop and a café serving sweets and drinks.
Conclusion
Istanbul will never cease to amaze you. It is truly a city filled with wonderful and diverse attractions. It’s like a treasure trove, filled with gems of remarkable destinations and places. Don’t hesitate to visit Istanbul, plan your trip well, and take advantage of amazing offers on hotels and flight tickets.