Istanbul Cool

Istanbul Cool

Category Archive

Sightseeing

From the Hagia Sophia to hidden gems: discover Istanbul’s mosques, museums, palaces and neighborhoods with practical visiting tips.

Sightseeing articles

Gothic Revival brick facade of Saint Anthony of Padua Church.
Sightseeing
17 min

Saint Anthony of Padua Church on Istiklal Avenue with Visiting Tips and Mass Etiquette
Ornate baroque facade of the historic Ihlamur Pavilion surrounded by lush trees.
Sightseeing
12 min

Ihlamur Pavilion imperial gardens and baroque halls with 2026 ticket prices and cafe tips
Elevated view of the Imperial Harem and Tower of Justice at Topkapi Palace.
Sightseeing
17 min

Topkapı Palace Courtyards and Imperial Harem with 2026 Visiting Tips and Ticket Prices
The courtyard entrance leading to the Church of St. George at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Sightseeing
19 min

Ecumenical Patriarchate and Church of St George Visiting Tips with Fener Waterfront Routes
The illuminated Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque stands beautifully at dusk in Istanbul's Tophane district.
Sightseeing
16 min

Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque architecture and Tophane complex visiting tips
Two framed Orientalist portraits displayed on a dark red wall at the Pera Museum.
Sightseeing
13 min

Orientalist Paintings and the Tortoise Trainer at Pera Museum with 2026 Entry Prices
The grand lead-covered dome of Sultan Mahmud II Mausoleum features calligraphy and a finial.
Sightseeing
12 min

Ottoman Royal Tombs and Calligraphy at the Sultan Mahmud II Cemetery with Entry Tips
A clear exterior view of the historic Hagia Irene brick church in Istanbul.
Sightseeing
13 min

Byzantine Echoes and Concert History at Hagia Irene with 2026 Museum Pass and Entry Tips
The central dome of Pammakaristos Church featuring the Christ Pantocrator mosaic and surrounding prophets.
Sightseeing
9 min

Byzantine Mosaics at the Fethiye Mosque and 2026 Visiting Tips for the Pammakaristos Church
The sunlit courtyard and fountain of the historic Atik Valide Mosque complex.
Sightseeing
13 min

Atik Valide Mosque architecture and 2026 visiting tips for the Üsküdar complex
A wide panoramic view of Dolmabahçe Palace's ornate facade seen from the Bosphorus sea.
Sightseeing
17 min

Dolmabahçe Palace Waterfront Gardens and Harem Tours with 2026 Ticket Prices
The unique semi-circular courtyard and Baroque style windows of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
Sightseeing
13 min

Baroque Architecture and Courtyard Light at the Nuruosmaniye Mosque with 2026 Visiting Tips
Restored Byzantine brickwork and stone walls of Tekfur Palace.
Sightseeing
16 min

Byzantine architecture and pottery museum at Tekfur Palace with 2026 entry prices
the sokullu mehmed pasha mosque overlooking the dense urban landscape of istanbul.
Sightseeing
14 min

Iznik Tiles and Sacred Stones at the Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Mosque with 2026 Visiting Tips
The ornate Rococo facade of Küçüksu Pavilion stands along the Bosphorus waterfront in Istanbul.
Sightseeing
14 min

Küçüksu Pavilion rococo architecture and Bosphorus ferry tips with 2026 prices
People wait at a bus stop sign for the Naval Museum in Besiktas Istanbul.
Sightseeing
12 min

The Giant Imperial Caiques of the Beşiktaş Naval Museum with Visiting Tips and 2026 Prices
The courtyard of the Sehzade Mosque showing its impressive cascading domes and stone arches.
Sightseeing
16 min

Architecture and Gardens of the Şehzade Mosque with Visiting Tips and 2026 Entry Prices
Orange lights illuminate the ancient columns reflecting in the water of the Basilica Cistern.
Sightseeing
10 min

Basilica Cistern Evening Access and 2026 Entry Prices
A seagull flies past the Maiden's Tower and a boat during sunset.
Sightseeing
10 min

Maiden's Tower boat transfers from Üsküdar and 2026 entry fees for the Bosphorus lighthouse
The historic Fenerbahce ferry and a submarine docked outside the Rahmi M Koc Museum.
Sightseeing
12 min

Rahmi M Koç Museum vintage transport and Golden Horn ferry tips
High angle view of the historic Fatih Mosque complex in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sightseeing
14 min

Fatih Mosque courtyards and the tomb of the Conqueror with local visiting tips and etiquette
Intricate floral patterns on an ancient Byzantine floor mosaic in the museum.
Sightseeing
14 min

Byzantine floor mosaics at the Great Palace Mosaic Museum with Arasta Bazaar route tips and 2026 prices
Close-up of a highly decorated ancient Egyptian sarcophagus lid with hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Sightseeing
12 min

Ancient sarcophagi and Tiled Kiosk ceramics at the Istanbul Archaeological Museums with entry tips and prices
Exterior of the ornate white Hamidiye Yıldız Mosque against a clear sky.
Sightseeing
15 min

Imperial pavilions and garden paths of Yıldız Palace with 2026 entry prices
Exterior view of the Nusretiye Mosque in Istanbul showcasing its unique Empire style architecture.
Sightseeing
11 min

Nusretiye Mosque and the Tophane Waterfront with Practical Visiting Tips
A museum visitor examines intricate antique carpets displayed on the walls of a gallery room.
Sightseeing
12 min

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts Entry Tips and Hippodrome Terrace Views
Detailed stone arches of the quiet courtyard at Yavuz Selim Mosque in Istanbul.
Sightseeing
15 min

The Golden Horn Terrace and Quiet Courtyards of Yavuz Selim Mosque
A wide panoramic shot shows the grand Beylerbeyi Palace along the Bosphorus Strait shoreline.
Sightseeing
14 min

Beylerbeyi Palace Entry Tips and Bosphorus Ferry Routes to the Asian Side
Weathered stone cylindrical tower of the Yedikule Dungeons with small windows and ivy against a clear blue sky
Sightseeing
20 min

The Yedikule Dungeons are the only honest place left in the city
Little Hagia Sophia (Küçük Ayasofya Camii) with its brick dome and minarets behind bare plane trees and a green lawn
Sightseeing
23 min

I am done with the Sultanahmet crowds so I go to Little Hagia Sophia instead
Man kneeling in prayer on a red carpet inside the Arap Mosque, Karaköy, with carved wooden doors and minbar
Sightseeing
22 min

A Gothic Secret in the Heart of Karaköy: Why I Love the Unique Arap Mosque
Interior of the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque with dome patterns, massive stone pillars, chandeliers and red carpets
Sightseeing
17 min

A Masterpiece of Light: Why the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is My Favorite Spot at the City's Highest Point
Ornate dark blue dome of the Kariye Mosque (Chora Church) with golden mosaics of angels around the Virgin and Child
Sightseeing
25 min

A Canvas of Golden Mosaics: Why Kariye is My Absolute Favorite Corner of the City
Ornate blue and white Iznik tilework around the mihrab of the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Eminönü, with a hanging chandelier
Sightseeing
16 min

Rustem Pasha Mosque: Eminönü's Iznik Tile Haven
White Neo-Byzantine facade, golden domes and iron fence of the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church in Balat
Sightseeing
25 min

Bulgarian Iron Church: Balat's Cast-Iron Masterpiece
Black and white photo of Whirling Dervishes performing the Sema ceremony, one dervish's skirt billowing in the foreground
Sightseeing
24 min

Galata Mevlevihanesi: Beyoğlu's Whirling Dervish Sanctuary
Hilly Zeyrek neighborhood with traditional houses, trees, a local mosque dome and a larger imperial mosque behind
Sightseeing
25 min

Zeyrek Istanbul: Old City's Quiet Historic Streets
Theodosius Cistern interior with rows of tall stone columns in warm golden light reflected in shallow water
Sightseeing
25 min

Underground Echoes: Why the Theodosius Cistern is My Favorite Alternative to the Crowds
Valens Aqueduct's massive stone arches seen from a park with blooming pink magnolia trees
Sightseeing
25 min

Rome’s Gift to the City: My Favorite View of the Ancient Valens Aqueduct
Aerial view of ancient stone fortifications and ruins surrounded by dense green forest on a sunny day
Sightseeing
27 min

Theodosian Walls: Istanbul's Ancient Hidden Landmark
Crowded interior of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar with arched painted ceilings and shop stalls
Sightseeing
68 min

Grand Bazaar Hans: Secret Artisan Workshops Guide 2026
Aerial view of Rumeli Hisarı fortress on the Bosphorus with the Bosphorus Bridge and Istanbul skyline behind
Sightseeing
14 min

The Guardian of the Bosphorus: Why I Never Get Tired of Rumeli Hisarı
Main and smaller domes of the Süleymaniye Mosque in warm sunset light with birds flying overhead
Sightseeing
12 min

Suleymaniye Mosque: Insider's Guide to Istanbul's Soul