{"id":38313,"date":"2024-07-16T13:01:48","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T11:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/que-ver-en-estambul\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T17:17:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T15:17:31","slug":"places-to-visit-in-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comeamaviaja.com\/en\/places-to-visit-in-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"The 35 best places to visit in Istanbul, Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Things to do in Istanbul<\/span><\/strong>: 30 must-see places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ready to discover the top 30 places to visit in Istanbul? Let’s begin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Topkapi<\/span><\/strong> Palace, one of the best places to visit in Istanbul<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Places to visit in Istanbul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Topkapi Palace was one of my favorite places I was able to visit in Istanbul. Construction began in 1459. From 1478 to 1853, it was the residence for the sultans of the ottoman empire, until sultan Abdulmecid decided to relocate to Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace, which is another must-see place in Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now a days, Topkapi Palace is a museum. It’s made up of several buildings that are connected by beautiful gardens and patios. The 4th patio was my personal favorite because it features beautiful doors, rooms, tiled walls, columns and incredible views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topkapi Palace has an entrance fee of 40TL ($2.50). This entrance does not include entrance to the harem. If you wish to visit the harem, you have to purchase an additional entrance that costs 25TL ($1.60) which you can purchase together with the general entrance ticket or inside the palace near the entrance to the harem. We did visit the harem and I highly recommend it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend visiting Topkapi Palace early in the morning. We visited the palace early in the morning and there were many people already. By the time we were done visiting, there was an endless queue to enter the palace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are cafes and restaurants inside the palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours of Operation<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open from Wednesday to Monday.
From October 30 to April 15th: 9h – 16:45h
From April 16th to October 29th: 9h – 18:45h<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can book a guided 75-minute tour of Topkapi Palace using this link<\/a>. It includes express entrance. If you want a more comprehensive visit, you can book a 3-hour tour of Topkapi Palace and harem using this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Free tour of Istanbul<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Istanbul, Turkey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Book free tour<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One of the best ways to get into the history and culture of Turkey is to take a guided tour of the city. This way, accompanied by a guide, you can visit some of the most important places in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the best guided tours, I recommend this free tour of Istanbul<\/a>. It is a two and a half-hour visit to places such as Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. Check out other free tours in Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer, you can book this private tour of Istanbul. You will spend 8 hours with a guide while getting to know the best of the city and its culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. A cruise on the Bosphorus, one of the best things to do in Istanbul<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Bosphorus
Bosphorus cruise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Book Bosphorus cruise<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One of the most popular activities to do in Istanbul is to take a cruise on the Bosphorus. I recommend doing this tour at sunset, as the views of the city are much more beautiful thanks to the light that stains the buildings with color. It is a very interesting, beautiful, and romantic way to learn about the history of the city. Besides, who doesn’t like a boat ride?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make sure you get a slot, I recommend booking your Bosphorus cruise here in advance<\/a>. You can also choose a sunset cruise or this shorter Bosphorus and Golden Horn cruise<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Istanbul Archaeology Museum<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just before Topkapi Palace, next to G\u00fclhane park, you’ll find the Istanbul Archaeology Museum<\/a>. It was inaugurated in 1891 by painter Osman Hamdi. It became the first museum in Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find several exhibition rooms inside the museum. Among them, you’ll find rooms about classic archeology, Anatolian history, ancient eastern history, Turkish tile and ceramics, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n