Experience the best of Istanbul
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.
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The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.
Across the Galata Bridge, the Galata Tower overlooks Beyoğlu, where İstiklal Avenue runs toward Taksim Square past old arcades and churches. Waterfront palaces such as Dolmabahçe line the Bosphorus, and ferries cross to Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian shore, where neighbourhood markets and cafés feel a world away from the crowds.
Simit from street carts, fish sandwiches by the water, meze and kebabs, baklava and endless small glasses of tea make eating a constant pleasure. In April the parks bloom with tulips, a flower long linked with the Ottoman court, and grey, uncrowded winter days are the right season for a steaming hammam.
- 6 hop-on hop-off routes
- Free cancellation on 81% of experiences
- Day trips to Gallipoli
Top 10 attractions in Istanbul
Number 1Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi)
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Number 2Bosphorus
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Number 3Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu)
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Number 4Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
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Number 5Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
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Number 6Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi)
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Number 7Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayi)
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Number 8Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)
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Number 9Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Meydani)
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Number 10Sultanahmet
Special offers in Istanbul
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
Hop-on hop-off in Istanbul
Museums and galleries in Istanbul
100
Free cancellationSkip the line
Nature and wildlife tours in Istanbul
13
Free cancellation
Family days and theme parks in Istanbul
33- Free cancellationSkip the line
For kids in Istanbul
15- Free cancellationSkip the line
For couples in Istanbul
115
Bosphorus cruises and dervish ceremonies in Istanbul
Questions about Istanbul
- What is there to do in Istanbul?
- We list 3,649 experiences in Istanbul. The largest groups are city tours (530), day trips (346), food tours (126), attraction tickets (118).
- What are the top attractions in Istanbul?
- Ranked by the experiences that visit them, the top attractions in Istanbul are Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu), Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya).
- What is the most popular experience in Istanbul?
- By number of traveller reviews it is "Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour", rated 5.0 out of 5 from 10,442 reviews.
- Is there a hop-on hop-off bus in Istanbul?
- Yes. We list 6 hop-on hop-off bus tours in Istanbul; the most reviewed is "Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul" with 217 reviews.
- How long do tours and tickets in Istanbul take?
- The typical experience in Istanbul lasts about 6 hours; the middle half run between 3 hours and 13.5 hours.
- Can I cancel a booking in Istanbul?
- The operator lists free cancellation on 81% of the 3,649 experiences we hold for Istanbul. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.
Why book here
Compare before you buy
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Free cancellation on most experiences
Where the operator offers it, the card says so before you click.
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