# Things to Do in Istanbul

Landmarks, markets, and a Bosphorus boat trip across Istanbul's historic peninsula and both shores, confirmed open as of August 2026. · community starter list

Looking for things to do in Istanbul? This list of 10 includes Hagia Sophia (Sultanahmet, Istanbul), ordered as entries were added — no votes cast yet. Voting decides the order from here — last updated Aug 19, 2026.

**Where:** [Third Platz](/.md) / [Turkey](/turkey.md) / Istanbul
**Updated:** 2026-08-19 06:18:13

1. **[Hagia Sophia](/e/800.md)** (attraction) — Built in 537 as a Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque and museum; an active mosque again since 2020, with its upper galleries open to tourists on a separate €25 ticket added in 2024. — score 0
2. **[Topkapi Palace](/e/801.md)** (attraction) — Ottoman sultans' primary residence from 1465 until the 19th century, now a museum of imperial apartments, the treasury and the Harem; closed Tuesdays. — score 0
3. **[Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)](/e/802.md)** (attraction) — Built 1609-1617 for Sultan Ahmed I and named for its blue Iznik tilework; a full restoration finished in 2023 and it remains a working mosque with free entry. — score 0
4. **[Grand Bazaar](/e/803.md)** (attraction) — One of the world's oldest covered markets, completed around 1461 and now holding thousands of shops along dozens of streets; open daily except Sundays. — score 0
5. **[Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)](/e/804.md)** (attraction) — A covered market built in 1660 opposite the New Mosque, historically funded by Egyptian trade taxes; still trading spices and sweets daily, including Sundays. — score 0
6. **[Galata Tower](/e/805.md)** (attraction) — A Genoese watchtower from 1348 standing roughly 63-67 meters tall, reopened in May 2024 under a new visitor-capacity policy; open daily with an observation deck. — score 0
7. **[Dolmabahçe Palace](/e/806.md)** (attraction) — A 285-room Bosphorus-front palace completed in 1856 for Sultan Abdülmecid I, blending Ottoman and European styles; now a museum, closed Mondays. — score 0
8. **[Süleymaniye Mosque](/e/807.md)** (attraction) — Chief architect Mimar Sinan's imperial mosque for Sultan Süleyman, completed in 1557 atop Istanbul's third hill; open to visitors daily outside prayer times. — score 0
9. **[Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)](/e/808.md)** (attraction) — A 14th-century Byzantine church famed for its mosaics and frescoes, reopened as a working mosque in May 2024 after a decade-long restoration; open to visitors outside prayer times, with a small curtained prayer nave. — score 0
10. **[Bosphorus Ferry Tour (Şehir Hatları)](/e/809.md)** (activity) — The city's public ferry operator has run Bosphorus sightseeing tours from Eminönü since the 19th century, with short (roughly 2-hour) and long (up to 6-hour) round trips departing daily. — score 0

## Related lists

### More in Istanbul
- [Best Parks in Istanbul](/turkey-istanbul/best-parks.md) — Istanbul
- [Best Street Food in Istanbul](/turkey-istanbul/best-street-food.md) — Istanbul
- [Top 10 Restaurants in Istanbul](/turkey-istanbul/top-10-restaurants.md) — Istanbul
- [Hidden Gems in Istanbul](/turkey-istanbul/hidden-gems.md) — Istanbul

### Same topic, elsewhere
- [Things to Do in Mumbai](/india-mumbai/things-to-do.md) — Mumbai
- [Things to Do in Toronto](/canada-toronto/things-to-do.md) — Toronto
- [Things to Do in Paris](/france-paris/things-to-do.md) — Paris

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