15 Unmissable Attractions in Istanbul

This palace was the gubernatorial heart of the entire Ottoman Empire in the late 1800s; as a result, it’s, unsurprisingly, the most opulent building in Istanbul, occupying an area of 45,000sqm (484,375sqft) with 285 rooms. Today, it houses two museums, meaning it should be your first port of call if you’re interested in the history of Istanbul.

Exterior design doesn’t get more flooring than with the Fatih Mosque, which pierces the Istanbul skyline with towering spires and that imposing dome. Step inside and you’ll find the tomb of Sultan Muhammad, who conquered the city in 1453, at the age of 22.

A former Greek Eastern Orthodox church in the heart of the city, Theotokos Pammakaristos is today a museum. Visit to be wowed by fine mosaics and ancient Byzantine-era architecture.

It may look like a fortress looming above the historic neighbourhood of Balat and Fener, but this is actually the oldest Greek orthodox school in Istanbul. It was built in the early 1880s and still teaches a small body of around 50 students.

Another beautiful but largely unknown landmark, Kalendarhane stands out thanks to the red brick interior and was originally an Eastern Orthodox church. Later, it was converted into a mosque.

One of the many beautiful palaces around Istanbul that served the leisure of the Ottoman sultans, Beylerbeyi is often overlooked because of its location on the Asian side. However, the embellished architecture, lavish décor and beautiful garden make it very much worth a visit.

If you’ve ever crossed the Bosphorus Bridge and taken a long gaze at the city, then you’ve probably seen the beautiful Ortaköy Cami. It stands right next to the edge of the water and was built in 1721.

The best way to see the Bosphorus mansions of Istanbul is by taking a boat tour that goes up and down the strait. On your way past the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, make sure to take a good look at this beautiful mansion that was built by French architect Alexandre Vallaury.

One of the last churches in the world to be made entirely of prefabricated cast iron, the Bulgarian St Stephen Church was recently renovated and revealed to the faithful in all its ornately beautiful glory.

No visit to Istanbul is complete without experiencing the Turkish Bath and the historic Çağaloğlu Hamam is the perfect place to do so.

Many people who wander the historic quarter often walk past this building without a second look, but this gorgeous structure, built by architect Vedat Tek in the style of the First Turkis National architectural movement, is a gem from 1905.

Boza is a traditional Turkish drink made from fermented wheat or millet that is topped with chickpeas and the best place to try it is at Vefa Bozacısı, which has remained largely unchanged since opening in 1876.

A former armoury built during the reign of Ottoman sultan Mehmed II, Tophane-i Amire is where cannons and cannonballs were manufactured; it’s also why the neighbourhood is called Tophane (dwelling of the cannons). The structure now serves as an art centre, run by the Minar Sinan Fine Arts School, where exhibitions and events are held frequently.