Top 7 things to do in Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey’s largest city! Spanning the Asian and European shores that separate Asia and Europe via the Bosphorus, Istanbul is a key destination for many travellers.

The former Turkish capital, once known as Constantinople and Byzantium, has a chequered history and is known as a megalopolis marking the border between East and West. It’s a place with a magnetic aura and bustling streets filled with monuments and sites that can’t be ignored. Many of them are classified as the oldest sites in the world. To get to know them better, we take you on a written journey to understand why Istanbul is considered by many to be fascinating.

What to do in Istanbul

1. The Galata Tower

Category: €/Cultural

Description: The Galata Tower, or “Galata Kulesi” in Turkish, offers a breathtaking view of Istanbul, and is reputed to be one of the oldest towers in the world. It was originally built in 528 out of wood, the strongest material available at the time. Several centuries later, in 1548, it was completely rebuilt by the Genoese people, under the name of the “Tower of Christ”. What makes it unique? The higher you climb, the narrower the walls become, until they reach just 20 centimetres at the top. At 61 metres high, it is a robust monument that has managed to remain in good condition despite its age. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the famous “Princes’ Islands” in the distance! Located in Büyük Hendek, the Galata Tower is open from 8am to 11pm every day.

2. The Church of Saint-Sauveur-in-Chora

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: The “Kariye Müzesi” is one of the few remaining Byzantine churches in the world. It is the pride of the city’s inhabitants and a must-see when visiting. Built during the Ottoman Empire, it was renovated for a time to become a mosque. Its magnificent Byzantine mosaics and frescoes were then covered in plaster, which particularly helped to preserve them. It was only after the Second World War, in 1948, that it was restored as a museum, and opened to the public a few years later. The church of Saint-Sauveur-in-Chora is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and until 7pm in summer. You can see it on Kariye Camii Sok.

3. The Egyptian Bazaar

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: It’s not every day you get to visit an Egyptian bazaar, is it? Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city, standing right on the border between East and West. The so-called “Spice Bazaar” (Egyptian Bazaar) is located just off the Galata Bridge, towards “Misir Carsisi”, and is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul. No sooner have you arrived a few metres from the various stalls than you’ll have been won over by the tantalising smell of the thousand and one flavours wafting from them. Built in 1660, the bazaar has been restored over the years, and finally, in 1943, welcomed (as well as food traders) other businesses, in particular jewellers. It’s the ideal place to stroll around and indulge yourself: cheeses, nuts, spices, cosmetics, bird market… Open every day from 9am to 7pm, except Sundays, you’re going to love it!

4. Topkapi Palace

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Construction of this illustrious residence began just after Mehmed II took Constantinople. As a result, it reflects the image of Istanbul’s Imperial era. Behind its 700,000 square metres are four courtyards and a number of fascinating buildings, including the royal stables and the armoury. One of the rooms is actually one of the most precious places on Earth, the “Treasure” room, where you can find the famous 88-carat diamond once worn by Napoleon’s mother, Letizia Ramolino. The aura that emanates from this room is electric and mysterious, a place like no other. If you go up behind the Hagia Sophia, you can reach Topkapi Palace via Eminönü Street. It is open from Wednesday to Monday, 9am to 6pm, and closed on Tuesdays.

5. The Blue Mosque

Category: Cultural

Description: The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or more commonly known as the “Blue Mosque” because of the colour of the Iznik squares inside the domes, is a pure architectural blend of Byzantine Christian and Ottoman Islamic styles. You won’t find a similar monument anywhere else in the world. It took several years to build, from 1609 to 1616, and is easily recognisable thanks to its six distinctive minarets. With its luxurious carpets and colourful stained glass windows, the Blue Mosque is a work of art, the jewel of Istanbul. The mosque is open daily from 8am to 6pm, and is located in the Sultanahmet district.

6. The Basilica Cistern

Category: €/Cultural

Description: Nicknamed the “Buried Palace”, the Basilica Cistern is located in the underground passages of Istanbul. The original purpose of the cisterns was to serve as a “water reserve” for the city’s inhabitants in the event of shortages or enemy attacks. The cisterns date back at least to the time of Justinian I, when they were built to supply the Byzantine palace with water. With a total of 336 columns standing almost 9 metres high, it is a unique place, with the subdued light illuminating the medusa heads (a mythological figure) on two of the columns. You can visit the Basilica Cistern every day from 9am to 7pm, to the west of Sainte-Sophie, towards “Yerebatan”.

7. Visit the Bosphorus (by boat)

Category: €€/Insolite

Description: Going out to sea is always exciting! You’ll be delighted to sail along both Asian and European shores, while discovering the city from a whole new angle. Whether you opt for a short visit lasting just a few hours, or a full-day tour, the prices are generally reasonable and it’s a great family activity. You can discover the “chenal” and its palaces, not forgetting the “Tour de Léandre”. You’ll learn more about the strategic and commercial role of the Bosphorus, which separates two seas and two continents. This passageway and communication route has a tumultuous history that has captivated the people of Istanbul over the centuries. Welcome aboard…