1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
A 6th-century church that later became a mosque, under one of history's great domes. Tourists see it from the upper gallery, with its Byzantine mosaics, looking down on the prayer floor.
- Area
- Sultanahmet
- Hours
- 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. daily; the visitor area closes 12:00–2:00 p.m. on Fridays for Friday prayers
- Price
- €25 for foreign visitors (children under 8 free)
- Getting there
- T1 tram to Sultanahmet, the same stop as the Blue Mosque
- Tip
- Avoid Friday midday. A ramp takes tourists straight up to the gallery, so the ground floor stays clear for worshippers.
- Muslim-friendly
- Hagia Sophia is a working mosque. Muslim visitors who want to pray should check Diyanet prayer times; the prayer area closes for cleaning from the dawn prayer until 10:00 a.m.
2. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
Istanbul's best-known working mosque, with six minarets and an interior lined with blue tiles, facing Hagia Sophia across the square.
- Area
- Sultanahmet
- Hours
- Open daily to visitors outside prayer times; last entry about 30 minutes before closing (around 7 p.m. in summer, 5 p.m. in winter). Closed to non-worshippers from 45 minutes before each call to prayer until 15 minutes after, and on Friday mornings until 2:30 p.m.
- Price
- Free (donations welcome)
- Getting there
- T1 tram (Bağcılar–Kabataş) to Sultanahmet
- Tip
- Tourists use the south door (on the right as you come from the Hippodrome). Plan your visit for the gap between prayers.
- Muslim-friendly
- Dress code for visitors: no shorts, nothing revealing; women must cover their hair (free scarves at the entrance) and everyone removes their shoes. Muslims can join prayers; the closures above apply to non-worshipping visitors.
3. Topkapı Palace
The Ottoman sultans' palace, with its courtyards and the Harem; the combined ticket also covers nearby Hagia Irene.
- Area
- Sultanahmet
- Hours
- 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; box office closes 5:30 p.m. in summer, 5:00 p.m. in winter. Closed Tuesdays
- Price
- ₺2,750 combined ticket (Palace, Harem and Hagia Irene); covered by Museum Pass İstanbul
- Getting there
- Sultanahmet, beside Hagia Sophia (Babıhümayun Cad. No:1); nearest tram stop is Sultanahmet on the T1
- Tip
- Allow at least half a day. The official listing says tickets are sold at the palace box office, not online.
4. Basilica Cistern
A huge 6th-century underground water reservoir with rows of columns, including two Medusa-head bases, plus lighting and art installations.
- Area
- Sultanahmet
- Hours
- Day session 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; night session 7:30 p.m.–11:50 p.m.; open daily
- Price
- ₺900 day / ₺1,400 night (foreign visitors)
- Tip
- Buy only at the museum or through Passo, the official online seller; the cistern warns it won't honour tickets bought anywhere else. The night session works well after a day in Sultanahmet.
5. Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
One of the world's oldest covered markets, a maze of lanes selling carpets, lamps, jewellery, ceramics and textiles.
- Area
- Beyazıt / Fatih
- Hours
- 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; closed Sundays and religious holidays
- Price
- Free to enter
- Tip
- Don't plan it for a Sunday. Pair it with Süleymaniye Mosque, a short walk uphill.
6. Süleymaniye Mosque
The architect Sinan's 16th-century mosque on Istanbul's third hill. It's calmer than the Sultanahmet mosques and has views over the Golden Horn.
- Area
- Süleymaniye / Fatih
- Hours
- About 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; closed to visitors during prayer times
- Price
- Free
- Tip
- Go between prayers. It's an easy walk from the Grand Bazaar and downhill to Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar.
- Muslim-friendly
- A working mosque that closes to sightseers at each prayer time; Muslim visitors can join the prayers.
7. Short Bosphorus Tour (Şehir Hatları ferry)
The city ferry company's sightseeing run up the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia, a cheaper option than a private cruise.
- Area
- Eminönü / Bosphorus
- Hours
- Daily departure from Eminönü at 2:40 p.m., calling at Üsküdar (2:55 p.m.) and Ortaköy (3:10 p.m.) before returning
- Getting there
- Eminönü ferry pier
- Tip
- Check the timetable before you go; Şehir Hatları updates its schedules. Get there early for an outside seat.
8. Princes' Islands day trip (Büyükada)
A string of car-free islands off the Asian shore. The ferry ride and the old wooden mansions on Büyükada make an easy break from the city.
- Area
- Sea of Marmara
- Hours
- Ferries daily; first departure from Kabataş at 6:45 a.m. (weekdays and Saturdays) or 7:30 a.m. (Sundays and holidays)
- Getting there
- Şehir Hatları Adalar ferry from Kabataş (also calling at Eminönü and Kadıköy) to Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada; about 1 hour 45 minutes to Büyükada
- Tip
- Leave on a morning ferry so you have a full day on the island. Night fares (12:30–5:30 a.m.) cost double.
Hours and prices were checked October 1, 2026 on the sources below and can change. Tour links search GetYourGuide and Klook; some earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
