Istanbul Tours

Take a Bosphorus Cruise

Want to see this amazing city from a different point of view? One of the best ways to see Istanbul in its full glory is on a Bosphrous Cruise. Connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marma, the Bosphrous is the strait that flows through the city of Istanubul. Glide down the strait to see the peaks of Sultanahmet’s tourist sites, including the Blue Mosque and Galata Tower, as well as the best views of the famous Ottoman waterfront mansions. During the summer, a Bosphrous Cruise is a great way to soak up some sun and see the sights at the same time – talk about packing it all in.

Visit church-turned-mosque-turned-museum Hagia Sophia

If you love history, art and architecture, make Hagia Sophia your first stop. Having been an Orthodox Cathedral before the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed. Its architecture isn’t just impressive, it’s political. Featuring 104 columns imported from the Temple of Ephesus in Greece, as well as a central dome that once featured a mosaic of Jesus Christ, which was covered in gold and Muslim calligraphy at the time of its conversion, the building itself has become a symbol of colonisation. Once inside, look out for the wishing column – a column with a hole in the middle – which supposedly has healing powers. Don’t forget to make a wish!

Enter Basilica Cistern

If you love mystery and mythology, you’ll love the Basilica Cistern. Located just near the Hagia Sofia, the Basilica Cistern is a large underground water reservoir, which has a storage capacity of 100,000 tons of water. The cistern has grand 336 columns, two of which feature large Medusa heads. According to Greek mythology, Medusa is one of the gorgons that was used to protect this great building. The stone heads are turned on their sides, supposedly to protect visitors from turning to stone under Medusa’s gaze. For pop culture fans, this site was also used as a location of the 1963 Bond film From Russia with Love.

Shop at the Grand Bazaar

When it comes to bazaars, this one is the O.G. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the oldest and largest covered marketplaces in the world. Located inside the walls of old Istanbul, this massive market covers 61 streets and boasts over 4000 shops. With origins dating back to the 15th century, you’ll find a whole heap of interesting and amazing things in this place. Turkish textiles, jewellery, ceramics and crockery, fresh fruit and spices and loads of coffee can be found in this place. Head down to this fun-filled maze but be sure to take a friend – it’s way too easy to get lost in here.

Discover mosaics of Süleymaniye Mosque and Blue Mosque

Istanbul is known for its amazing mosques and their decadent mosaics. None are more famous than the Süleymaniye Mosque and Blue Mosque. The former is the Ottoman Imperial Mosque, build right on top of the Third Hill with some of the best views of the city. The latter, while officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, has gained its popular nickname for the 20,000 blue tiles that make up its interior mosaic. Check out the stunning architecture and interior design of these buildings, but do come prepared: as they are religious places, you’ll have to be wearing modest clothing.

Istanbul International Music Festival

Music

Occurring every June and July, the Istanbul International Music Festival is a celebration of traditional music styles from Türkiye and around the world. Here, you can catch performances of European classical music, ballet, opera, jazz and traditional Turkish music. Performances are held all around the city, from concert halls to synagogues to museums.

Rock’n’coke

Music

Yes, the name means exactly what you think it does. Rock’n’coke is a Turkish rock festival sponsored by Coca-Cola. Usually held at Hezarfen Airfield in Istanbul, this music festival has played host to famous musicians from around the world. A few of the famous headliners include Motörhead, Moby, Muse, Franz Ferdinand, Placebo, the Prodigy and Linkin Park.

Istanbul Film Festival

Film

Every year in April, Turkish movie threatres get a cultural re-vamp by the Istanbul Film Festival. Founded by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and the Arts, the festival aims to encourage the development of Turkish cinema and to get people excited about locally-made films.

Istanbul International Jazz Festival

Music

What began as a concert given by Chick Corea and Steve Kujala on July 8, 1984 sparked a passion for jazz music that grew all over the city. Today, the Istanbul International Jazz festival is a three-week festival beginning at the end of June and ending in mid-July. Featuring a variety of performance styles, including blues and reggae, the festival has hosted the likes of Miles Davis and Carlos Santana.

Istanbul Tulip Festival

Culture & Flowers

Even though they’re considered an icon of the Netherlands, tulips actually originated in Turkey. The annual Istanbul Tulip Festival is a celebration of these beautiful bulbs. You can find artistic creations made of entirely of tulips in Emirgan Park in April each year, but you’ll find the flowers blooming all over the city during spring.

Hagia Sophia

This former church-turned mosque is one of the most important buildings in the city. Having quite a tumultuous history, being captured and converted from Christianity to Islam, this mosque tells the story of the many civilisations that once called Istanbul home.

Topkapi Palace

Sultans, concubines, and courtiers all called the Topkapi Palace home during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Built in 1453 by Mehmed the Conqueror, visit the royal chambers, harems and treasury of this palace for a taste of what the Ottoman Court was like.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum

Located in Gülhane Park near the Topkapi Palace, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum holds over one million objects from around the world that tell the story of early civilisations. The museum was built in the 19th century as an attempt to modernise the Ottoman Empire.

Dolmabahçe Palace

The largest palace in Türkiye, the Dolmabahçe Palace was built by Sultan Abdulmecid in 1856, mainly as the place for anchoring the Ottoman Fleet. The Western influences in its architecture makes it completely distinct from Topkapi. The Dolmabahçe Palace is divided into features three parts: the imperial harem, the state apartments and the ceremonial hall. Also be sure to check out its stunning gardens.

Chora Church

What was once a part of a 6th century monastery, the Chora Church was rebuilt at the end of the 11th century. Telling the story of Christianity in the early period of the city, this museum houses some of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine mosaics. You can also find scenes of Jesus’ life decorating the outer entrance of the church, as well as the life of Mary in the inner entrance.

Balik Ekmek

Baklava

Pide

Ezme

Patlican Ezmesi