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Top 5 things to do in Istanbul

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Hagia Sophia
#1
Hagia Sophia
1,500 years after being built, Istanbul's architecture still hasn't produced a building to rival the beauty of the Hagia Sophia. Dating all the way back to the Roman Empire, the building has served the city as an Orthodox Church, a secular museum, and once again as a mosque. Alongside the huge dome, the highly decorative interior will leave any visitor awestruck that hands are capable of creating something so impressive. Keep an eye out for early Christian motifs inside the epitome of Byzantine Architecture that is still just as powerful today.
Topkapı Palace Museum
#2
Topkapı Palace Museum
The Topkapı Palace, or the Seraglio, is a big museum in Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the former residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans, in the heart of Istanbul.
Dolmabahce Palace
#3
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is the last palace built by the Ottoman Sultanate in Istanbul, Turkey. It is located on the coast, close to the ferries that depart from Beşiktaş.
VIALAND Theme Park
#4
VIALAND Theme Park
Formerly known as Vialand, Isfanbul is a theme park and entertainment complex located in the district of Eyüp in Istanbul, Turkey. The park features a wide range of thrilling rides and fairground classics, and is partly designed with an architectural style that reflects Turkey's Ottoman heritage.
Madame Tussauds Istanbul
#5
Madame Tussauds Istanbul
Madame Tussauds is a world-famous museum featuring wax reproductions of popular celebrities and historical figures. The Istanbul location holds a collection of famous Turkish and international personalities, providing a unique experience for visitors.

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All things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul

SEA LIFE Istanbul

SEA LIFE Istanbul is an aquarium and marine wildlife conservation center. Home to Europe's largest collection of sharks, the aquarium features an 83-meter walk-in tunnel where a large variety of sharks can be seen gliding around visitors! It's also home to an ocean of other amazing sea creatures like stingrays, crazy-looking jellyfish, and more.
4.6 / 5 (19)
From HK$107.47
Istanbul

Hagia Irene

Hagia Irene is a Greek Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Dating back to the 4th century A.D., the Hagia is thought to be the first church built in Constantinople. It is one of the few church buildings in Istanbul that was not converted into a mosque. Today, it serves as a historical museum and as a classical music concert hall, due to the building's outstanding acoustics.
4.5 / 5 (2)
From HK$868.05
Istanbul

Istanbul Archaeological Museums

The Istanbul Archeological Museums are among the largest museums in the world, with over one million artifacts from various cultures. Since you can see many objects from the pre-Islamic periods of the Greek, Egyptian, and Arabian Peninsula of Anatolia and Mesopotamia, this museum is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. It was established as the Imperial Museum at the end of the 19th century by the painter and museologist Osman Hamdi Bey. Istanbul Archeological Musems' collection includes artifacts from civilizations within the borders of the Ottoman Empire, from the Balkans to Africa, from Anatolia and Mesopotamia to the Arabian Peninsula and Afghanistan.
From HK$206.68
Istanbul

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Istanbul

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre is the ultimate indoor playground for LEGO® fans, with three awesome rides, ten LEGO® build and play zones, a 4D cinema and much, much more. It is located in the Forum İstanbul shopping mall and is easy to reach with public transport.
4.4 / 5 (13)
From HK$107.47
When the ceremony of the dervishes starting...
Istanbul

Museum of Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi

Just a five minute walk from the Blue Mosque, you'll find the house museum and music salon of Ottoman composer Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi (9 January 1778 – 29 November 1846). Located in the Kumkapi neighbourhood, Efendi's original instruments are on display along with Sufi decoration and architecture. A highlight of any visit is the chance to see the whirling of the Sufi Dervishes, a form of physically active meditation that involves coming closer to God by setting your ego aside and spinning repetitively while listening to music.
4.0 / 5 (2)
From HK$148.81
Istanbul

Jungle Istanbul

Jungle Istanbul is an animal-themed park with a focus on wildlife conservation. It is located on the ground level of Isfanbul Shopping Mall, right next to the Migros Store. Visitors can get there via a free shuttle that departs from the street across the old Sirkeci Train Station.
4.5 / 5 (2)
From HK$53.74
Istanbul

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is a museum packed with Turkish treasures, from ancient carpets and rugs to calligraphy and art. It is located in Sultanahmet Square in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, close to the Blue Mosque.
4.7 / 5 (3)
From HK$124.01
Çanakkale

Trojan Ruins

The Trojan Ruins mark the site of the ancient Bronze Age city of Troy, a popular story in Greek mythology and an archaeological site in the north-west of Asia Minor, which is now Turkey. Visitors on tours from Istanbul can learn the story of the Trojan War, as well as explore ruined houses, walls, and towers. There are also excellent views over the Trojan plain and the sea from here.
From HK$744.04
Istanbul

Rumeli Hisarı

Rumeli Hisarı is a medieval fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey, on a cluster of hills on the European banks of the Bosphorus Strait. Once a military fortification and makeshift prison, the fortress is now a popular museum open to the public, and also acts as an open-air venue for seasonal concerts, art festivals, and special events.
4.0 / 5 (1)
From HK$620.03
Istanbul

Golden Horn

The Golden Horn was Istanbul's bustling harbor during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Visitors can take guided tours and boat cruises along the Bosphorus from this thriving area on the river that separates the old and new sections of the city.
From HK$289.35
Eceabat

Anzac Cove

Anzac Cove is a small cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Following the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops, Anzac Cove was the main base for the eight months of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.
From HK$1,216.66
Istanbul

Forest Kemerburgaz

You're guaranteed an adrenaline rush at Forest Kemerburgaz, Istanbul's high-flying adventure park. Not only do they have a whole lot of aerial obstacles for you to try out – including a high-rope course, nets to clamber across, and climbing walls – but there's also go-karts, an escape room, and trampolines!
From HK$135.64

More ways to experience Istanbul

Planning your Istanbul visit

Language

Turkish

Currency

Turkish Lira (₺)

Dialing code

+90

Time zone

Eastern European Time

Where west meets east

Step into a culture unlike any you’ve ever experienced; where bustling medinas and ancient churches exist side-by-side with glimmering, glass skyscrapers. It’s hard to grasp just how long the ancient city of Istanbul has existed, its critical relevance throughout history, and the multitude of opportunities it offers to learn, see, taste, explore and adventure. Istanbul is a magnificent place that offers a wealth of opportunities to any visitor. Explore its busy streets and markets, drink the aromatic (and powerful) Turkish coffee, visit one of the great Wonders of the World and see the best of the city from land or sea.

Getting around

Public transport in Istanbul isn’t impossible to navigate, but it does require some effort. The metro system is clean and modern, though the distances between stops can be quite large. Tourists tend to favor the tram network, which is clean, reliable and hits several major tourist attractions. However, they can be very crowded and slow in peak hour. Ferry rides between the European and Asian sides of the city are a fun experience, but the boats tend to hit the docks hard on either side, knocking people over. If grabbing a cab, make sure to confirm that they'll use the meter before you get in – drivers tend to inflate their preset prices for tourists.

Climate

Istanbul is a city with a number of microclimates, which is a scientific way of warning you to check the forecast before going out for the day! The city experiences all four seasons, including snow in the wintertime. Make sure to review the seasonal temperatures before booking your trip, as it can be very hot and humid in the summer months and quite rainy year-round. The Turkish capital is especially inviting, weather-wise, in late spring and early autumn. Get an umbrella when you arrive anyway, either to shield yourself from the hot sun or from Istanbul’s frequent (and sudden) downpours.

What to do in Istanbul for 3 days

Visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world

It’s not everyday that you have the chance to see one of these. Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century cathedral that has changed hands (and religions!) several times throughout history, was a recent addition to the list – and with good reason. This sprawling, ornate venue details the history of the church and the city in which it stands, while showcasing stunning Christian, Islamic and Greek Orthodox details on every side. With tours available in several languages, the Hagia Sofia is a must-see for absolutely everybody.

Live like a sultan

Immerse yourself in a (biiig) slice of history at the Topkapi Palace, the former seat of the Ottoman Empire. Walk the same mosaic-patterned marble halls as sultans Mehmed II and Selim III, and drink in the opulence from every angle. From domed halls to artificed bedrooms to the resplendent treasury, intricate bathhouses, spectacular harems and shiny armories, Topkapi Palace is a study in art, history and indulgence. Visit it on your own or enhance your experience with a guided tour.

See the real Istanbul

To really understand a place, it helps to get the inside scoop. And, in a city with as much history as Istanbul, we can’t recommend local-led walking tours highly enough! Whether learning the myths and legends of the historic Beyoğlu district, seeing what the Hagia Sofia might have been (if it hadn’t changed religions so many times!) at the Hagia Irene, sampling local nightlife on Istiklal Street or delving into the subterranean depths of the Basilica Cistern, make the most of your time with a knowledgeable guide.

Make a splash under the Turkish sun

No visit to Turkey is complete without a day out on the water. After all, Istanbul enjoys access to not one but two seas – the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The sparkling Bosphorus waters are truly stunning and provide an unparalleled view of some of Istanbul’s greatest sights. Treat yourself to a sightseeing trip, work on your tan on a luxury yacht, enjoy fine Turkish food on a sunset cruise, or double your adventure with a cruise to the Black Sea through charming waterside villages.

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