10 places · parks, museums, landmarks
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An early 17th-century imperial mosque famous for its Iznik tile interior. It's still an active place of worship, so visits are scheduled around prayer times.
This is the massive, centuries-old covered market at the heart of the old city. It's a labyrinth of streets under a single roof, packed with thousands of shops selling everything from carpets to jewelry.
This is the city's main spice market, a covered arcade in Eminönü filled with stalls selling everything from saffron to lokum. It's smaller and more focused than the Grand Bazaar, with a strong scent of herbs and tea in the air.
Süleymaniye Mosque, designed by Mimar Sinan for Suleiman the Magnificent, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. Its hilltop location offers one of the best views of the Golden Horn.
Hagia Sophia is a monumental building that has served as a church, mosque, and museum. Its massive dome and layered history make it a central landmark in Istanbul.
Three connected museums holding over a million artifacts from across world history, located next to Gülhane Park. It's a massive, quiet collection that most visitors to the palace next door miss entirely.
The former administrative heart and royal residence of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. It's a sprawling complex of courtyards, pavilions, and collections that feels like a city within the city.
The spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church, located in the historic Fener neighborhood. It's the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch, considered 'first among equals' in Orthodox Christianity.