Quick answer: In Istanbul, don’t miss Hagia Sophia (€25 for the upper gallery), the Blue Mosque (free), Topkapı Palace (closed Tuesdays), the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus ferry. Do Sultanahmet early in the morning, cross to Galata and Karaköy for the afternoon, and spend an evening on the Asian side in Kadıköy.
Istanbul has more first-class sights than most cities twice its size. Here are the 20 we’d prioritise, grouped by area so you waste less time in traffic. Prices are 2026 foreign-visitor rates from istanbul.com and official sites. Check them before you go, because they change during the year.
Sultanahmet: the historic peninsula
- Hagia Sophia was built in 537 and has been a church, a mosque, a museum and a mosque again. Foreigners pay €25 for the upper gallery and its mosaics. See Hagia Sophia tickets.
- The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is known for its six minarets and 20,000 İznik tiles. It’s free, and it closes to visitors at prayer times.
- Topkapı Palace is the sultans’ palace, with its courtyards, the treasury and the Harem. Allow about 3 hours and about €60–70 with the Harem. See Topkapı tickets.
- The Basilica Cistern is a 6th-century cistern with 336 columns and two Medusa heads. Tickets cost 1,950 TL by day and 3,000 TL for the evening session (Istanbul Clues).
- The Istanbul Archaeology Museums hold the Alexander Sarcophagus and treasures from across the empire. Entry costs about €17 and is included in the Museum Pass.
- The Hippodrome is the old chariot-racing square, with an Egyptian obelisk from 1500 BC. It’s free.
- The Grand Bazaar has 4,000 shops under painted vaults. It’s closed on Sundays, and you should bargain with a smile.
- The Süleymaniye Mosque is Sinan’s masterpiece, with views over the Golden Horn and far fewer crowds than the Blue Mosque.
- The Spice Bazaar and Eminönü offer Turkish delight, spices and a balık ekmek (fish sandwich) by the water.
Galata, Karaköy and Beyoğlu
- Galata Tower offers a 360° view of the whole city. Entry is about 1,750 TL, so go at opening time to skip the queue.
- İstiklal Avenue and Taksim make up the city’s busiest street, with its red nostalgic tram.
- Istanbul Modern is Turkish contemporary art in a Renzo Piano building by the water.
- Karaköy’s cafés and street art are best for breakfast, baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu, and Turkish coffee.
- Dolmabahçe Palace was the 19th-century European-style palace on the Bosphorus. It costs about 2,650 TL and is closed on Mondays.
The Bosphorus and the Asian side
- A Bosphorus cruise can be the cheap public ferry or a sunset tour. See our Bosphorus cruise guide.
- Kadıköy has its market streets, meyhanes and a young local crowd. Ferries leave from Eminönü or Karaköy for about 20 minutes on your Istanbulkart.
- Üsküdar and the Maiden’s Tower are best at sunset over the European skyline.
- Ortaköy is a waterside mosque under the Bosphorus Bridge where you can grab a kumpir (stuffed potato).
Experiences
- A hammam is a traditional bath, from historic ones such as Çemberlitaş or Kılıç Ali Paşa to simple local baths.
- A food tour takes in kebabs, meze, simit, künefe and the street-food culture.
Compare Istanbul tours, food walks and skip-the-line tickets.
Tips to see more and pay less
- Most big sights are closed one day a week. Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays.
- Go to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque early, and plan around the prayer times.
- The Museum Pass (about 6,500 TL for 5 days) only pays off if you visit Topkapı, the Archaeology Museums and two or three others.
- Use ferries as cheap cruises. They cost a fraction of a tour.
More Istanbul guides
- Istanbul travel guide
- Istanbul itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Istanbul
- Hagia Sophia tickets and visiting rules
- Topkapı Palace tickets and the Museum Pass
- Bosphorus cruise: ferry vs tours
- Istanbul Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Istanbul
FAQ: Things to do in Istanbul
What is the number one attraction in Istanbul?
Hagia Sophia, followed closely by Topkapı Palace and the Blue Mosque, which are all within a 10-minute walk in Sultanahmet.
What can you do in Istanbul for free?
You can visit the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand and Spice Bazaars for free. You can also walk across the Galata Bridge, and the Hagia Sophia ground floor is free for worshippers. A public ferry costs only a few lira.
Is 3 days enough for Istanbul?
Yes, for the highlights. See our 3-, 4- and 5-day Istanbul itinerary.
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