Things to Do in Istanbul

Taksim Maksemi (Water Distribution)

As the first major building to grace Taksim Square, Istanbul's nucleus derives its very name from this...

• Museums

Atik Mustafapasa Camii

There have been several theories as to the origins of this former Byzantine church, but none has emerged...

Fener Rum Erkek Lisesi (Fener Roman Boys School)

Housing the oldest surviving institution of learning in Istanbul, the crowning jewel of Fener is the...

Selimiye Barracks/Florence Nightingale Museum

Security is stiff at the First Army Command Post headquarters, so a visit to the building's main attraction,...

• Museums

St. Mary of the Mongols/Kanli Kilise

This is the only Byzantine church to remain continuously in the hands of the its Greek congregation to...

St. Antoine Italyan Katolik Kilisesi (Italian Catholic Church)

Also known as St. Anthony of Padua Franciscan Church, St. Antoine is a spectacular example of Italian...

Tünel Pasaji

This highly evocative arcade is formed by the convergence of three separate buildings. The style is neoclassical,...

• Landmarks

Tekfur Sarayi (Byzantine Palace)

Save for the crumbled stones of a handful of dungeons and towers, this is all that remains of the palace...

• Landmarks

Çiçek Pasaji (Flower Passage)

An icon of Beyoglu's past and present, the Çiçek Pasaji occupies a stunning rococo arcade, the original...

• Landmarks

Balikpazari (Galatasaray Fish Market)

This fish market is a colorful cluster of much more than just fishmongers. Having just undergone a period...

• Markets

Ahrida Sinagogue

The first synagogue in Istanbul was constructed by a group of Macedonian Jews emigrating from the town...

Aya Nikola Kilisesi

The waterfront location of St. Nicholas is an appropriate one for a basilica dedicated to the patron...

Church of SS. Peter and Paul

Secreted behind an unobtrusive pink and purple gate is a Dominican church built in 1604 by the Genoese....

Sokullu Mehmet Pasa Camii

This mosque is considered to be one of the "minor" works of Sinan, architect to the Sultans. But there...

Bucoleon Palace

Imagine the lapping of the Marmara Sea onto the base of the palace ramparts, and visualize a continuous...

• Landmarks

Atik Ali Pasa Camii

A smaller version of the Ulu Camii in Bursa and similar in style to the original Fatih Camii before it...

Nuruosmaniye Külliyesi

The "Light of Osman" mosque was revolutionary when it was built in the middle of the 18th century. With...

Sogukçesme Sokagi

A cobbled mews of 12 wooden Ottoman houses and a roman cistern are sandwiched between the outer wall...

• Landmarks

Museum of Calligraphy (Türk Vakif Sanatlari Müzesi)

The fine art of calligraphy was the most important one in the Ottoman Empire. Sultans Beyazit II and...

• Museums

Marmara Sea Walls

While not as impressive a feat as the Theodosian defenses, the Sea Walls, originally built by order of...

• Landmarks

Bodrum Camii or the Myrelaion

The story of this building is inextricably tied to the life of Romano Lakapenos, son of Armenian peasants...

• Landmarks

Arch of Theodosius

There's very little left apart from the toppled Triumphal Arch scattered on either side of Ordu Caddesi,...

• Landmarks

Buhara Özbekler Tekkesi ve Mescidi

This dervis lodge dates to 1692. Built by Ismail Bey, presumably to serve the minority Özbek community,...

Church of St. Theodore

We really know very little about the origins of this Byzantine church. Scholars are not even sure as...

Vakiflar Hali Müzesi (Foundation Carpet Museum)

Some of Turkey's oldest textile treasures are housed in the private pavilion used by the sultan for prayers....

• Museums