7 Amazing Places to Visit in Istanbul with Family

Istanbul, one of the most important cities in the world for approximately 16 centuries, was governed under the domination of many different civilizations. Dozens of historical artifacts in the city, which bears the traces of all the civilizations it has hosted, have turned Istanbul into a museum in itself. There are countless places to visit in Istanbul, where you can encounter a different beauty in every district. Many natural and historical destinations, including palaces, mosques, museums, parks and gardens, are among the must-see places.

If you want to see every point of Istanbul, you are on the right list. To make it easier for you to visit Istanbul, we have listed them starting from the most popular ones. Let see those 9 places you don’t want to miss on.

Hagia Sofia – Ayasofya Istanbul

There are many places that we can put at the top of the list of places to visit in Istanbul and it is very difficult to choose, but Hagia Sophia deserves to be at the top. Hagia Sophia, built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Konstantios in 360, is one of the oldest cathedrals in the world.

Hagia Sophia, known at that time as Megale Ekklesia, gained the closest appearance to its current appearance as a result of the work of Anthemios of Tralles and Isidoros of Miletus, who were commissioned by Emperor Justinianos. Hagia Sophia, completed in 5 years and 10 months with the work of two architects, was the cathedral built in the shortest time in the world compared to other buildings of that time.

The name of the building in the 5th century was given to Hagia Sophia and it had this name until Istanbul was conquered in 1453. After Fatih Sultan Mehmet developed Istanbul, he ordered Hagia Sophia to be converted into a mosque and its minarets were built by Mimar Sinan. Hagia Sophia, which became a museum in 1935, was reopened for worship in 2020 by AKP government in Turkey.

Tokapi Palace – Topkapı Sarayı Istanbul

Topkapi Palace, located in the Historical Peninsula, the most touristic area of ​​Istanbul, should of course be at the top of the list of places to visit in Istanbul. Topkapı Palace, located in Sarayburnu in the Fatih district, was built after the conquest of Istanbul and served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years.

Intrigues and sad times were also experienced in the palace, which witnessed the glorious history of the Ottoman Era. Topkapı Palace, which was turned into a museum on April 3, 1924, is also the first museum of the Republic of Turkey. It is one of the largest palace museums in the world, as it covers an area of ​​300,000 square meters and hosts approximately 300,000 archive documents.

When you go to visit the museum, you can see the Harem section, the Hırka-ı Saadet Department, the Privy Room, Babü’s Saade and the Garden of Mansions. You should also definitely visit the Istanbul Library, which hosts the portraits, clothes and weapons of the sultans. You can visit the palace between 10:00 and 17:30 on weekdays and between 10:30 and 17:30 on weekends, except Tuesdays.

Basilica Cistern – YereBatan Sarnıcı

Basilica Cistern is one of the most valuable buildings remaining in Istanbul from the Byzantine Empire. The cistern, built in 532 by the order of Emperor Justinian, was used for the water needs of the palace and the people in those years. Even after the conquest of Istanbul, its use as a water source continued for a while.

In the past, it was known as the Basilica Cistern because there was a Stoa Basilica on the cistern, and the Basilica Palace because of the columns coming out of the water. The most mysterious artifact in the Basilica Cistern, which is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide, is the Head of Medusa. The statue, located under two columns located in the northwest of the cistern, is one of the most important works of the Roman Period, but it is not known how it got here.

Basilica Cistern is an important place in cultural terms as well as its touristic beauty. Concerts and recitals of local and foreign artists are held here. The events become very impressive, especially with the lighting arrangements made during these concerts.

You can visit the Basilica Cistern all days of the week. You can visit it between 09:00-17:30 in winter and 09:00-18:30 in summer by paying an entrance fee of 50 TL. Museum Card is not valid here, but if you are a student or teacher, the entrance fee is only 20 TL. Foreigners must pay a fee of 190 TL. Basilica Cistern, which was restored and opened to visitors in 2022, has become very popular lately.

Sultan Ahmet, One of Places to Visit in Istanbul for Free

Sultan Ahmet Mosque, the most famous mosque in Istanbul, is very famous not only among domestic tourists but also among foreign tourists. Foreign tourists know the mosque as Blue Mosque, which means Mavi Cami in Turkish. The most important reason for this is that the interior of the mosque is furnished with 21 thousand 43 Iznik tiles and has a deep blue appearance.

The mosque, built by Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa, one of Mimar Sinan’s students, in the 17th century upon the order of Sultan Ahmet I, is located right opposite Hagia Sophia. Sultan Ahmet Mosque has 16 balconies, and these 16 balconies symbolize Sultan Ahmet I being the 16th ruler of the Ottoman Empire. The diameter of the dome, which is 43 meters high, is 23.5 meters. When all these and the mosque complex come together, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque became the largest buildings in Istanbul. Since the mosque is open for worship, it can be very crowded on Fridays and religious holidays. For this reason, when you go to see the mosque from an architectural perspective, you can choose calmer days.

Dolmachi Palace – Dolmabahçe Sarayı

This is a where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the founder of Turkey passed away. It has a great respect in the hearts of Turkish People. For this reason, Dolmabahçe Palace is perhaps one of the most emotional items on the list of places to visit in Istanbul.

Dolmabahçe Palace was built in 1856 upon the order of Sultan Abdülmecit. Abdulmecit wanted this palace to have a European style and consist only of beauties. The construction of the palace, which has 285 rooms, 26 living rooms, 6 baths and 68 toilets, was very expensive for the sultan, and the sultan was able to live in the 3rd largest palace of Istanbul, which he had built with such care, for only 5 years. The palace, which was used in different ways by the sultans who came after Abdulmecit, served as the modern face of the new state when the Republic of Turkey was established.

On November 10, 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk breathed his last in room number 71. When you go to Dolmabahçe Palace today, you can see this room and personal belongings of Atatürk. The palace is closed on Mondays and welcomes its visitors between 10:00-17:30 on weekdays and 10:30-17:30 on weekends.

Galata Tower – Galata Kulesi

Galata Tower, one of the structures that form the silhouette of Istanbul, hosts so many tourists that long queues always form in front of it. Galata Tower, one of the oldest towers in the world, was built in the 500s at the request of Byzantine Emperor Justinian.

It gained its current appearance in the 1340s. The last repair of the tower, which was destroyed by fire and earthquakes, was made in 1967. You can enter the tower, which offers a wonderful view of Istanbul when you climb to the top, between 10:00-22:00 in summer and 10:00-19:00 in winter. Galata Tower entrance fee is 120 TL, and entrance is free for Museum Card holders. If you want to get detailed information about this historical masterpiece, you can also review our content titled Galata Tower story and things to know about it. It is one of the places to visit in Istanbul at night, gives a chanting look at night makes it great for photography.

Maiden’s Tower – Kız Kulesi

Another structure that forms the silhouette of Istanbul is the Maiden’s Tower. The tower, one of the most romantic addresses in Istanbul, is located off the coast of Salacak in Üsküdar district. There is no clear source as to when exactly the Maiden’s Tower was built, but some sources say that the construction process started in 341 BC.

The Maiden’s Tower, which is the subject of many different legends, was also known as Damalis and Leandros in the past. Damalis is a name that comes from the name of the wife of the King of Athens, Kharis. The tower was given this name because Damalis was buried on these beaches when he died. During the Byzantine Empire, it was also known as Arcla, meaning small castle. After Istanbul was conquered, the tower on the island was demolished and a wooden tower was built in its place. The tower, which could not withstand fire because it was made of wood, was rebuilt in 1725.

Maiden’s Tower, which has been used throughout history for purposes such as collecting taxes from ships, defense, quarantine hospital and radio station, is now one of the first places that come to mind for romantic meals and marriage proposals. Today, the tower is visited both as a museum and a restaurant. You can easily reach the Maiden’s Tower by taking the boats that depart from Salacak every 15 minutes.

At the end of the day, Istanbul is a big city, you must have a car to visit these places in Istanbul or you can also hire a local tour guide who can give you transportation services.