16 Famous Landmarks in Istanbul, Turkey (100% worth a visit)

Full List of the Best Landmarks in Istanbul Turkey 

We’ve divided Istanbul famous landmarks into 2 different categories: the religious buildings first, and all the other historical sites in the second section. 

🕌 Religious buildings in Istanbul: 

1. Hagia Sophia
2. The Blue Mosque
3. Suleymaniye Mosque
4. Ortaköy Mosque

🏰 Other historical sites in Istanbul: 

5. Topkapi Palace
6. Grand Bazaar
7. Spice Bazaar
8. Basilica Cistern
9. Dolmabahçe Palace
10. Sultanahmet Square
11. Istanbul Archaeological Museums
12. Beylerbeyi Palace
13. Galata Tower 
14. Galata Bridge
15. Gülhane Park
16. Maiden’s Tower

Keep reading to learn more about each of these landmarks! 👇

Read more: Is Istanbul worth visiting?

Religious Buildings in Istanbul

From the Roman Empire through Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire, Christian, and Muslim places have lived together for centuries in Istanbul. Here are 4 of the most famous of them.

1. Hagia Sophia

The crazy history of this place as well as its beauty and immensity have made it famous all over the world. 

Built as a church in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia became a mosque in the 15th century (916 years later) when the Ottomans took over the city. And it is precisely this change of religion that gave it this absolutely exceptional architecture. Indeed, as evidenced by the dome and minarets, Hagia Sophia mixes typical elements of Christian churches with those of mosques.

Today, this marvel of Byzantine architecture is a mosque and the symbol of Istanbul. It also houses a museum tracing its amazing history.

2. The Blue Mosque

With its 6 Minarets and 13 domes, the Blue Mosque is the most visited monument in Istanbul and the largest mosque in the city.

Located on Sultanahmet Square near Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, it was built in the early 17th century by the architect Sinan. At the time, it caused controversy because, in theory, no mosque should have as many minarets as Mecca, which was topped by six. That is why a seventh minaret was erected in Mecca afterward.

The interior of the mosque is truly breathtaking. When you enter inside, it is a rain of light filtered by some 200 stained glass windows that are offered to our eyes. Entirely covered with blue ceramics of Iznik, this mosque is a must-see in Istanbul.

3. Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is another spectacular masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the same architect behind the Blue Mosque, this monument is situated in the Suleymaniye district, on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn. This exceptional location offers an outstanding view of the capital city and its surroundings.

Far more than a place of worship, the Suleymaniye Mosque is a complex of several buildings including a Koranic school, a hospital, a library, a hammam … Everything together makes this jewel of Istanbul a very special place.

4. Ortaköy Mosque

Ortaköy Mosque has probably one of the most picturesque settings of all the mosques in Istanbul due to its location right on the Bosporus.

The construction of this mosque was carried out by the Armenian architect Garabet Balyan and his son Nikogos Balyan and was completed in 1855. With its neo-baroque style, the exterior of the mosque with 2 minarets is inspired by the Opera Garnier in Paris. As for the interior, it is entirely bathed in light thanks to large windows offering magnificent views of the strait.

The Ortaköy Mosque is a must-stop on the Ortaköy-Bebek walk. The best view of the monument is from Ortaköy Square, as you can see the Bosphorus Bridge in the background.

Other historical sites in Istanbul 

Although Istanbul is famous for being filled with incredible mosques like those above, the city provides other incredible landmarks and monuments that can’t be missed in any Istanbul itinerary. 

Below are 12 monuments you absolutely need to check out when in Istanbul.

5. Topkapi Palace

Dating from the 15th century, the palace of Topkapi is undoubtedly the most iconic landmark Istanbul has to offer. Overlooking the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and the Marmara, it offers a breathtaking view from the Byzantine acropolis.

Located near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia in the Sultanahmet neighborhood, Topkapi Palace was the main residence of the sultans for nearly 400 years. This royal palace hosted no less than 22 sultans until the middle of the 19th century! It also houses some of the most important treasures of the Ottoman Empire.

Extending over 700,000 square meters, Topkapi is composed of several buildings including a harem organized around 4 courtyards and houses the archaeological museum.

6. Grand Bazaar

You can’t visit Istanbul without stopping by the Grand Bazaar! It is a real institution in Turkey since its origins date back to the 15th century.

In addition to being one of the city’s symbols, it is also the largest covered market in the world. Accessible through about 20 doors giving access to 45,000 square meters of stalls including more than 3,000 stores, 2,000 people work there every day and the number of daily visitors can rise to 500,000!

The Grand Bazaar is the ideal place to buy beautiful items such as carpets, jewelry, leather, or even ceramics. Of course, you will find many souvenir stores. But be prepared to bargain to make the most of the Grand Bazaar! 

7. Spice Bazaar

Built in the 17th century under Hatice Turhan, one of the most powerful women and sultan of the Ottoman Dynasty, the Spice Bazaar is the second largest covered market in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar. It is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar since it was financed by the taxes collected in Egypt.

First invested by Venetian merchants, they were later joined by Armenian, Greek, and Muslim merchants. Today, the covered part of the Spice Bazaar still houses stores that are at least 200 years old!

At the Spice Bazaar, the carefully crafted stalls offer a magnificent display of colorful gradations, harmoniously arranged for visitors to enjoy. But you will also find surprising things like leeches for headaches or peach pit powder.

8. Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern is a magnificent piece of Byzantine ingenuity built entirely underground in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. It was once used to store drinking water brought from the aqueducts especially to meet the need for water during the sieges of Constantinople and summer periods.

It was only in 1968, after many years of neglect, that the municipality of Istanbul proceeded to renovate it, followed in 1985 by a major rehabilitation project to open the cistern to visitors.

You will be surprised by the enchanting and slightly humid atmosphere that reigns in the Basilica Cistern, hundred of meters under Istanbul. With its subdued light, its forest of columns, and the classical music added to the background sound of water drops, it is a unique visit that awaits you.

9. Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace is located on the shore of the Bosphorus on the European bank in the Beşiktaş district.

The construction of Dolmabahçe Palace in 1854 was mainly motivated by the sultans’ desire for Western-style modernity by transferring their residence from Topkapi Palace to this new rococo-style palace that was then popular in Europe. It successively welcomed 6 sultans and was the nerve center of the administration of the Ottoman Empire until 1922. Following the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1924, the palace became the property of the Turkish state.

This palace is the most imposing in Istanbul and in Turkey: it has no less than 285 rooms, 45 halls, and 70 toilets on about 15 000 square kilometers! On the outside, it is remarkable for its 6 large gardens and its 2 monumental gates, the Treasury Gate and the Royal Gate.

10. Sultanahmet Square

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sultanahmet is the historic quarter of Istanbul and the most popular tourist attraction in Turkey.

Indeed, it is in this square that you will find the most important monuments of the Constantinople era, all within walking distance of each other: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and the Topkapi Palace. This is also where you will find the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Gülhane Park, and the old racecourse.

This area being the historical chronological center of Istanbul, tourists head directly to this square. On the other hand, you will find few locals except those working in the area, and prefer other neighborhoods for eating or shopping to avoid tourist traps.

11. Istanbul Archaeological Museum

Located in the first courtyard of the Topkapı Palace next to Gülhane Park, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is the first museum in the Ottoman Empire.

While it was originally a small collection of antiquities, the museum was founded in 1891 and became the first museum of the Ottoman Empire.

Today it gathers 3 different units: the Archaeological Museum in the main building which houses the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great; the Museum of the Ancient Orient where we find objects of ancient peoples (Babylonians, Akkadians, Sumerians …); and finally the museum of Islamic Art located in the Tiled Kiosk. Altogether, they house more than one million objects and artifacts.

12. Beylerbeyi Palace

Located in the district of the same name on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, the Beylerbeyi Palace is another impressive monument of Istanbul because of its beauty and history.

Erected in 1865 to replace an old wooden palace from the early 19th century during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, Beylerbeyi Palace consists of a ground floor and 2 stories with beautiful facades and a charming garden. It was erected to serve as a summer residence and to host other visiting heads of state.

The palace is in French baroque style and is remarkable for its white marble walls and columns. Its different pavilions, its sublime rooms, its crystal chandeliers, and its porcelain are definitely worth a visit.

13. Galata Tower 

The Galata Tower stands on a hill on the west bank of Istanbul and dominates the Beyoğlu district, a part of the city outside the boundaries of ancient Constantinople.

The Galata Tower as we know it was built on the ruins of an ancient lighthouse in 1348 by the Genoese when the Byzantine Empire was greatly weakened by the Crusaders. They fortified the hill with ramparts and built what was called the “Christ Tower” at that time. It was then used as a watchtower, as a prison, and as an astronomy tower.

The tower is almost 67 meters high and has 9 floors. The sunset or the time of the call to prayer are the best moments to visit it and discover the panoramic view of the city.

14. Galata Bridge

Located on the European bank near the Galata Tower, the New Mosque, and the Spice Bazaar, the Galata Bridge and its neighborhood are a highlight of Istanbul.

Initially built in wood in 1845 between the two banks of the Golden Horn, it was replaced several times throughout history: in 1863 in preparation for the visit of Napoleon III, in 1875, in 1912, and in 1994 following a fire.

The bridge connecting the districts of Eminonu and Karakoy is a very lively place, dynamic all year long, day and night. It is busy with amateur anglers and vendors of fishing equipment. And on the ground floor of the bridge, there are many restaurants serving mostly fresh seafood and street performances by musicians, dancers, and singers.

15. Gülhane Park

Gülhane Park (“Rose Garden Park” in English) is a historical park opened since 1912 and situated on the grounds of Topkapı Palace. It is the oldest and one of the largest public parks in Istanbul.

Previously, Gülhane Park had playgrounds, picnic grounds, cafes, a fairground, and even a small zoo. All of these features have disappeared now, making way for a very large walking area with hiking paths.

Although the park is always a relaxing and beautiful stop, the best time to visit Gülhane Park is during the Tulip Festival in April when the park is full of colorful tulips and roses.

16. Maiden’s Tower

The Tower of Leander (Kız Kulesi in Turkish, meaning “the Tower of the Girl”), is located off the Anatolian coast on a rocky islet at the entrance to the Bosphorus. It is one of the most important symbols of Istanbul and has inspired many legends, poets and artists around the world.

The first tower on this islet was built in 408 BC by the Greek general Alcibiades to control the Persian ships in the Bosphorus Strait. Rebuilt as a fortress in 1110, it was then modified by the Ottoman Turks during the 16th and 18th centuries. It now houses a café restaurant offering a sumptuous view of the shores of Istanbul.

The tower is currently closed for renovation and should be accessible to visitors again in late 2023. But you can still admire it from the shore in Üsküdar in one of the many open-air tea rooms.

Istanbul Famous Landmarks Map

To get the free map of the famous landmarks in Istanbul Turkey, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.

If perhaps you’d like to discover other great places outside Istanbul, check out this post of the famous landmarks in Turkey.