Top Tourist Attractions In Istanbul

Istanbul is the cosmopolitan center of history, culture, entertainment, and spending the most enjoyable times among nature and cultural monuments. If you are visiting Istanbul, you probably wonder about the best tourist attractions in the city. Istanbul’s vast amount of historical places and other attractions can confuse the first time visitors, but do not worry! In this article, we'll give you a detailed and organized guide to the best historical sites in Istanbul that you should check during your Istanbul trip! The best thing is, Istanbul Tourist Pass includes access to all of these important landmarks in Istanbul, thus you will not have to worry about tickets.

Topkapı Palace

Topkapi Palace is one of Istanbul's most important historical sites, and it houses one of the city's most important museums. It was founded by the Conqueror Mehmed in the 15th century AD, and it served as the Ottoman president's administrative headquarters.  The structure has undergone numerous renovations and expansions, especially following the earthquake of 1509. Currently, Topkapı Palace consists of four main yards, as well as a variety of buildings on the outskirts, including the famous Haramlik and the Imperial Council house. After the Ottoman Empire fell apart in 1923, this structure was turned into a museum.

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns underneath Istanbul's city center. When you visit Istanbul, explore the underground palace, as it was known to the Ottomans, and see for yourself the beauty of the huge cistern . As you learn about the history behind fascinating features like the Medusa head pillar bases, you will feel like you were transported back in time!

Hagia Sophia Mosque

This structure's history is as mesmerizing as itself. The Church of the Holy Spirit was founded on the order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the First in the sixth century. Being used as a church at the beginning, it became a mosque during the Ottoman rule.

Hagia Sophia is one of the most important monuments in the ancient world, as well as the most fascinating religious building in Istanbul. Enhance your visit to Istanbul by visiting Hagia Sophia, which embodies Istanbul's history. The Hagia Sophia is the most popular tourist destination in Istanbul, and it is a splendid architectural achievement. Hagia Sophia was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it quickly became one of Istanbul's most popular tourist destinations, drawing tourists from all over the world.

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Hagia Sophia has been a work of art since the beginning of its construction, not just for its beautiful architecture but also for its mosaics, as well as the inclusion of wonderful Byzantine examples and impressive decorations. 

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace is one of Turkey's most famous and beautiful palaces, and it has become a popular tourist spot in Istanbul, with thousands of visitors each year. It is an architectural masterpiece designed by Sultan Abdul Majid, the thirty-first Ottoman Sultan, and it is situated in the Besiktas district on the European coast of the Bosphorus. 

This palace was designed to replace the Topkapi Palace as the Ottoman Empire's new administrative center. The construction of this palace began in 1843 and was finished in 1856.

Sultan Abdul Majid's desire for a modern building that reflects the Ottoman Empire's civilized face at the time and is comparable to the elegance and refinement of the palaces of European kings led to the creation of this palace. You will note touches of opulence and luxury the moment you reach Dolmabahce Palace.

Are These Attractions included in the Istanbul Tourist Pass?

Definitely! Istanbul Tourist Pass grants Skip-the-Line Instant Access to 100+ attractions & services, including these beautiful landmarks and many more. Moreover, you can visit these places with an experienced guide! The guide will inform you about the history and importance of these spots in Istanbul, and you are going to be mesmerized with them even more. With the Pass, you can also save time by skipping ticket lines- which means more time spent experiencing the city!