What to do in Istanbul

Activities, attractions and tours

Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul

Istanbul Tourist Attractions & Activities

Never one to shy away from an eye-opening adventure and innovative ways to get your kicks, you’re eager to investigate a new destination from top to bottom. You’re keen to set a course in a new direction. It’s not hard to fill an itinerary, because Expedia Australia can hook you up with loads of things to do. Find and book your activities today, and the only thing you'll have left to do is count the days until your escape and prepare to have fun. Next stop: Istanbul!

  • The things to do in Istanbul are not only among the best, but they won’t bust your budget. We have 1193 things to do here, and you can make them yours starting at just AU$5. Get your favourite tour on Expedia Australia for significant savings, and you'll still have money for a dream hotel or fine meal while you’re visiting.
  • Istanbul is a favourite among travellers suchlike yourself. In fact, a good percentage of travellers can't wait for their next trip to the regionto learn about local culture and explore the best things to do. The most loved things to do can grab the interest of even well-versed globetrotters, and one look at our list explains why. Our activities includes a wide range of entertainment and opportunities for excitement. From unique ways to see the best this area has to provide like a Pamukkale Hot Springs from Istanbul by Overnight Bus to Speedy Shuttle: Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) that offers the most convenient way to get around town, there are plenty of selections at your disposal when you peruse the inventory of activities here at Expedia Australia.

Our activities are the perfect way to organise your trip. It takes a little planning to make the most of a trip to Istanbul, particularly when you want to include trips to museums and outdoor activities. And we can tell you're someone who likes to get out and about—you're ready to get out and play. You cannot wait to scope out the best activities around, and an exploration of historic city neighbourhoods is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Book group tours on Expedia Australia, and you'll learn all about the city's history along the way.


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Top places to visit

1. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is a prominent part of view of the Istanbul skyline. Constructed under Sultan Ahmed I, it was finished in 1616. Its designer's vision was to display the Islamic faith central to the Ottoman Empire in this massive site of worship.
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Blue Mosque featuring religious elements, heritage architecture and a mosque

2. Galata Tower

At just under 67 metres in height, Galata Tower was the tallest building in the city when built in 1348. It was constructed as the heart of the fortifications of the Genovese colony in Constantinople at that time, and was named the 'Tower of Christ'. Later, it became a lookout tower for fires in the 18th century, and was indeed seriously damaged by fire in both the 18th and 19th centuries. The most recent significant refurbishment took place during the 1960s, and the tower has been open to visitors since then.
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Standing for over 650 years, this imposing cylindrical lookout point continues to offer special views over the city of Istanbul.

3. Hagia Sophia

Known as “Ayasofa” (Sacred Wisdom) in Turkish, the Hagia Sofia started out as a church, becoming a cathedral under the Byzantine empire. Later it would become a mosque, and most recently a museum and monument that is hugely valued by the people of Turkey.
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A world famous monument to the ever-changing history of Istanbul, and one of the largest churches in the world.

4. Grand Bazaar

Originally opened in the mid-15th century by Sultan Mehmet II as a site for textile trading, the Grand Bazaar continues to offer everything from pottery and tiles to spices and brassware, as well as belly-dancing clothes, pipes, ashtrays, and much more. It used to be that each street had a craft, and while this isn't strictly the case any longer, there are areas of the bazaar where you'll be able to compare your craft of choice side by side with lots of others.
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Visit one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in the world, a real taste (and smell and sound!) of the diversity that Turkey has to offer.

5. Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace covers over 70 hectares at the place where the city was founded, and is surrounded by more than five kilometres of walls. Despite being a 15th-century building, it is excellently preserved, and was opened to the public in 1924 by Kemal Ataturk, the 'Father of the Turks'.
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Stately home to the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years with an array of Turkish design and foreign art.

6. Bosphorus Bridge

Travel between Europe and Asia and enjoy incredible views along the Bosphorus Bridge. This 1.5-kilometre (1-mile) suspension bridge spans the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Istanbul’s Ortaköy and Beylerbeyi districts.
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Bosphorus Bridge which includes a bridge, a river or creek and cruising

What to do in Istanbul


Discover the most popular places to visit in Istanbul

Explore areas of Istanbul

Blue Mosque which includes a fountain, a mosque and a pond

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Sultanahmet
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Taksim

4/5(72 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Taksim. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Taksim Station or Findikli Station to see more of Istanbul.

Taksim
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Kadıköy

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Kadıköy. Spend some time visiting top spots like Bosphorus, and catch the metro at Bahariye Station or Acibadem Station to see more of the area.

Kadıköy
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Istanbul City Center

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Istanbul City Center. Check out top attractions like Grand Bazaar and Galata Tower, and jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Aksaray Tram Station to see more of the city.

Istanbul City Center
Bosphorus Bridge showing a bridge, a coastal town and a river or creek

Beşiktaş

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Bosphorus while getting to know Beşiktaş, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Nispetiye Station or Etiler Station to see more of the area.

Beşiktaş
Istanbul which includes a city, a marina and a sunset

Fatih

4.5/5(230 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Fatih. Grand Bazaar is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Yusufpasa Station to see more of Istanbul.

Fatih

 

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Day trip destinations from Istanbul