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Istanbul attractions

7 top sights, in our order of priority for a first visit.

  1. 1Hagia SophiaMuseums & culture · Allow 3 hA sixth-century cathedral, later a mosque, then a museum, and a mosque again since 2020. Its vast dome is one of the great achievements of Byzantine architecture.
  2. 2Bosphorus CruiseCruises · Allow 1 h 30 minA boat trip between Europe and Asia with palaces, fortresses and wooden waterfront mansions along both shores.
  3. 3Topkapı PalaceMuseums & culture · Allow 3 hThe Ottoman sultans' palace for almost four centuries, with courtyards, the Harem, the imperial treasury and views over the Bosphorus.
  4. 4Grand Bazaar & Spice MarketGuided tours · Allow 2 h 30 minOne of the world's oldest covered markets, with more than 4,000 shops, and the nearby Spice Bazaar with its piles of spices, tea and Turkish delight.
  5. 5Istanbul Food TourFood & drink · Allow 3 hKebabs, baklava, simit, Turkish tea and street food across the European and Asian sides of the city.
  6. 6Basilica CisternTickets & passes · Allow 1 hAn underground Roman water reservoir with hundreds of columns, including two with Medusa heads.
  7. 7Traditional Turkish BathMuseums & culture · Allow 2 hA traditional hammam experience with steam, scrub and a foam massage in a historic bathhouse.