Istanbul
Though it's a wonderful spot to observe local life, the vibrant Women's Bazaar isn't for the faint-hearted. Freshly slaughtered sheep carcasses swing in…
Must-see attractions in Istanbul
The Bosphorus Suburbs
Not satisfied with the architectural exertions of his predecessor at Dolmabahçe Palace, Sultan Abdül Aziz (r 1861–76) built his own grand residence at…
Istanbul
This charming mosque complex on the waterfront was designed by Mimar Sinan and built in 1580 for one of Süleyman the Magnificent's grand viziers, Şemsi…
Beyoğlu
With a brief to explore critical and timely issues in visual and material culture, the İstiklal branch of the SALT cultural centre is one of the city's…
Beyoğlu
Occupying a former tobacco warehouse, this alternative space is operated by Anadolu Kültür (www.anadolukultur.org), a not-for-profit organisation that…
Istanbul
This little mosque is fairly unprepossessing from the outside, but the interior is a totally different story. The walls are decorated with gorgeous İznik…
Mihrişah Valide Sultan Complex
Istanbul
Commissioned by Mihrişah Valide Sultan, mother of Sultan Selim III, this late-18th-century complex includes a baroque-style türbe (tomb), medrese …
Sultanahmet
This outrageously curvaceous rococo gate leads into the precincts of what was once the grand vizierate, or Ottoman prime ministry, known in the West as…
Istanbul
To the right (southeast) of the main entrance to the Süleymaniye mosque is its cemetery, home to the octagonal tombs of Süleyman and his wife Haseki…
Sultanahmet
Topkapı Palace's Imperial Gate leads to the palace's First Court, known as the Court of the Janissaries or the Parade Court. You can go through the gate…
Istanbul
This busy weekly market sells food, clothing and household goods. It's held in the streets behind and to the north of Fatih Mosque.
Kadıköy
Polish artists Chazme and Sepe created this 2014 mural, which is titled İstanbul in acknowledgement of the word's meaning in Ancient Greek ('the City').
Sultanahmet
This ornate rococo-style fountain outside the Imperial Gate to Topkapı Palace's First Court was built in 1728 by the sultan who so favoured tulips.
Kadıköy
This distinctive work by Chilean street artist INTI, portraying a sad-looking woman holding an apple, was created for the 2013 Mural Ist Festival.
Kadıköy
Russian street artist Rustam Qbic created his Miracle mural of a woman with a rose head for the 2015 Mural İstanbul Festival.
Kadıköy
This 2013 work by Italian street artist PixelPancho shows a young boy sitting in the lap of a strange-looking robot fighter.
Kadıköy
Australian street artist Fintan Magee created this massive men-with-buckets mural for the 2017 Mural İstanbul festival.
Kadıköy
This colourful mural of a woman and child was painted by French street artist Amose Vazimolo, commonly known as Amose.
Kadıköy
This extraordinarily detailed black-and-white mural of a floating boat was created by German artist Dome in 2012.
Street Mural by Captain Borderline
Kadıköy
This work by German street artist Captain Borderline was created for the 2013 Mural Ist Festival.
Istanbul
In Byzantine times, this square was called the Forum of Theodosius. Today it's home to street vendors, students from the adjoining İstanbul University and…
Nişantaşi, Bomonti & Harbiye
This sprawling museum located in a former 19th-century military school 1km north of Taksim has a huge collection of militaria dating from the 13th century…
Beyoğlu
The cylindrical Galata Tower stands sentry over the approach to 'new' İstanbul. Constructed in 1348, it was the tallest structure in the city for…
Kadıköy
One of the pioneering musicians who mixed rock sounds with traditional Turkish folk music to establish the Anatolian rock genre in the 1960s and 1970s,…
The Bosphorus Suburbs
This large and leafy retreat is alive with birds, picnicking families and young couples strolling hand in hand. The best time to visit is in April, when…
Kadıköy
This tiny chapel on a leafy side street in Moda was built in 1878 as an Anglican church serving a British community who settled in the area following the…
İstanbul Fransız Kültür Merkezi
Beyoğlu
Set in a distinctive yellow building just off Taksim Square, the French Cultural Centre in İstanbul hosts regular art exhibitions (with a particular focus…
Church & Monastery of St George
Princes’ Islands
There's not a lot to see at this Greek Orthodox monastery complex located on a 203m-high hill known as Yücetepe, but the panoramic views from the…
Beyoğlu
The Pera Palace was a project of Georges Nagelmackers, the Belgian entrepreneur who linked Paris and Constantinople with his famous Orient Express train…
Church of the Monastery of Christ Pantokrator
Istanbul
This church and a series of cisterns are the only remaining structures of an important Byzantine monastery complex. One of the finest examples of…
Beyoğlu
Towering over Galatasaray Sq, this sleek cultural centre affiliated with a major Turkish bank stages art exhibitions, hosts classical-music concerts, and…
Beyoğlu
Back when promenading down the Grand Rue de Pera (now İstiklal Caddesi) was the height of fashion, the Cité de Pera building was İstanbul's most glamorous…
Kadıköy
Funded by the German government, this railway station was built in the first decade of the 20th century as the İstanbul stop for a planned Berlin to…
The Bosphorus Suburbs
This ruined medieval castle overlooks both the Black Sea and the Bosphorus, and offers a great view of the Yavuz Sultan Selim (Third) Bridge. It…
Istanbul
The second imperial mosque built in İstanbul (after the Fatih Camii), Beyazıt Camii was constructed between 1501 and 1506 by order of Beyazıt II, son of…
Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars
Istanbul
Known as the 'Iron Church', this distinctive Gothic Revival–style building on the Golden Horn has an extremely beautiful interior, with its gilded iron…
Beyoğlu
Turkey's big banks and philanthropic trusts vie to be seen as the greatest sponsor of the arts. İstiklal is a showcase for their generosity, and with this…
Istanbul
Rising Hogwarts-like from the urban jumble, this Fener landmark, known locally as kırmızı kale (the red castle) for its castellated red-brick facade,…
Istanbul
This mosque started life as the 11th-century Church of St Theodosia. Legend has it that one day before the Conquest, worshippers filled the church with…
Istanbul
Erected by order of the Emperor Constantine to celebrate the dedication of New Rome (Constantinople) as capital of the Roman Empire in 330, this column is…
