10. Istanbul Nightlife
With great bars, clubs, and lounges that stay open late, Istanbul's nightlife scene is something that must be experienced on any visit to the city.
9. Basilica Cisterns
Underground and with eerie music playing throughout your visit, the Basilica Cisterns are a great way to escape the heat and see an amazing feat of historic engineering. The visit takes around 30 minutes.
8.
HammamsTurkish baths are known throughout the world, so why not experience a hammam when you're in the birthplace?
7. Sultanahmet Camii (aka Blue mosque)
The Sultanahmet Camii (Blue mosque) is a stunning mosque across the plaza from the Aya Sofia. The visit takes around 30 minutes.
6. Suleymaniye Camii (Suleyman Mosque)
The Suleymaniye Camii (Suleyman Mosque) is the second largest mosque in Istanbul. The visit takes around 30 minutes.
5. Dolmabahce Sarayi (Dolmabahce palace)
The Dolmabahce Sarayi (Dolmabahce palace) is a neo-modern palace that the emperor lived in. The palace is situated right on the Bosphorus. The visit takes around an hour.
4.
Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)
The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is one of Istanbul's most famous attractions. An old style bazaar, it used to be horse stables during the empire, and now houses countless shops. Make sure to bargain when making a purchase!
3.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
The Istanbul Modern Art Museum is a great new museum right on the Bosphorus. Featuring works from Istanbul's prominent artists as well as artists from around the world, the museum is well worth a trip. The visit takes 1-2 hours, and there is a great cafe in the museum.
2. Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofia)
The Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofia) is a historic Byzantine church dating back over 1500 years. After the fall of the Byzantine empire, the Aya Sofia was converted into a mosque. The church has weathered fires and earthquakes and still retains many of the original mosaics and murals. The visit takes around an hour.
1. Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace is the former Ottoman Palace where the emperor lived. The Topkapi Palace is historic and has several small museums within its walls. The visit takes 2-3 hours.
