For many travellers Istanbul is the most fascinating city in the world. A line often attributed to Napoleon says that if the world were a single country, Istanbul would be its capital. Whether or not he said it, the idea explains why people come back again and again. Here are eleven reasons to visit Istanbul, and where to read more about each one.
A city shaped by empires and faiths
For more than 1,500 years Istanbul was an imperial capital, first of the Roman and Byzantine empires as Constantinople, then of the Ottoman Empire. Christianity, Islam and Judaism have all left their mark on its streets. There are hundreds of reasons to visit; these are the ones most travellers remember.
The Bosphorus and Galata
1. The Bosphorus
The Bosphorus strait divides Istanbul, and with it Europe and Asia. Its shores are lined with Ottoman palaces, wooden waterside mansions (yalı), fortresses and green hills, and ferries cross it all day. Seeing the city from the water is one of the best things you can do here. Discover the top landmarks on the Istanbul Bosphorus, or see them at your own pace on a private Bosphorus yacht cruise.
2. Galata Tower and its neighbourhood
Galata, on the European side across the Golden Horn from the old city, is one of Istanbul's most characteristic districts, with steep lanes, cafés and old apartment buildings. The panoramic terrace of Galata Tower gives a 360-degree view over the city and the water.
World-famous monuments of the old city
3. Hagia Sophia
Built between 532 and 537 under the emperor Justinian, with the architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, Hagia Sophia is one of the great buildings of human history. It was a cathedral for nearly a thousand years, then a mosque, then a museum, and it has been a mosque again since 2020. Visitors can still see its vast dome and mosaics; read about the secrets of Hagia Sophia before you go.
4. The Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known worldwide as the Blue Mosque because of the blue İznik tiles that cover its interior, among the finest of the Ottoman period. It is still an active mosque, so dress modestly and avoid prayer times.
5. Topkapi Palace
For around four centuries Topkapi Palace was the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where sultans lived and the most important decisions of state were made. Its courtyards, pavilions, Harem and treasury are now one of the most visited museums in Istanbul.
6. Dolmabahçe Palace
Completed in 1856 for Sultan Abdülmecid, Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus mixes Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. It replaced Topkapi as the main residence of the last sultans, hosted many important state meetings, and is where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died in 1938.
7. History on every corner
Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman rulers all left buildings behind, and many are concentrated around Sultanahmet Square, the old Hippodrome. Obelisks, fountains, churches and mosques stand within a few minutes' walk of each other.
8. Monuments beyond Sultanahmet
Bring a good camera. Beyond the famous squares, Istanbul is full of remarkable places: the underground Basilica Cistern, the Maiden's Tower off Üsküdar, Çırağan Palace on the Bosphorus and many more.
Food, from feasts to street snacks
9. A great food city
Istanbul gathers the flavours of every corner of Turkey: baklava and kebabs from the south-east, mezes from the Aegean, and lavish breakfasts in the style of the Black Sea or Van. It also has a lively international scene. Start with our guide to the most popular Turkish dishes.
10. Street food
Some of the best things to eat in Istanbul cost very little: sesame simit for breakfast, balık ekmek (fish sandwiches) by the Galata Bridge, stuffed mussels and kokoreç late at night. See the best Istanbul street foods for what to try.
Shopping in historic bazaars
11. The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, begun soon after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. With its thousands of shops selling carpets, lamps, jewellery and leather, it has been at the heart of the city's trade for centuries and still serves locals as well as visitors.
Plan your trip to Istanbul
Most first-time visitors need at least three days to see the main sights. Combine a day in Sultanahmet with a Bosphorus cruise and a day in Galata and Beyoğlu. Our Istanbul travel planning guide covers how many days to spend, transport and where to stay, and our Istanbul old city tour takes you round the historic peninsula with a licensed guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is Istanbul most famous for?
Istanbul is famous for the Bosphorus, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, and for being a city that spans Europe and Asia.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
Three days is enough for the main sights: one in Sultanahmet, one on the Bosphorus and one in Galata and Beyoğlu. Five days lets you add the Princes' Islands and quieter neighbourhoods.
Is Istanbul worth visiting for the food?
Yes. Istanbul brings together dishes from all over Turkey, from kebabs and mezes to baklava, and has excellent street food such as simit and balık ekmek.
Is Hagia Sophia still a museum?
No. Hagia Sophia has been a mosque again since July 2020. Foreign visitors use a separate route to the upper gallery for a fee, while the ground floor is used for prayer.
Planning Istanbul? Add a private Bosphorus cruise
The Bosphorus is the highlight of most trips. Charter your own yacht with crew for your family, friends or team, from 2 hours to a full day.