29 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Istanbul - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Istanbul, Turkey

Tombs of the Sultans

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

Istanbul, Turkey

Minyatür’s Nautical Instruments

Turkish adventurer antiques in the heart of the Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul, Turkey

Obelisk of Theodosius

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.

Istanbul, Turkey

Piri Reis Map at Topkapi Palace

1513 Turkish world map, full of European state secrets and snarky commentary.

Istanbul, Turkey

Panorama 1453 Museum

Step back in time and witness the fall of Constantinople.

Istanbul, Turkey

The Museum of Innocence

This museum was invented in a novel before being made real by the author.

Istanbul, Turkey

St. Stephen Bulgarian Iron Church

The most metal church of all time was built in record time because of an international, pious pissing contest.

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Unique Food & Drink in Istanbul

Dondurma

A rare orchid ingredient makes this ice cream stretchy and chewy.

Pudding of Noah

The first thing eaten off the Ark.

Turkish Coffee

Locals joke that you should be able to “float a horseshoe” on the thick brew.

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Stories About Istanbul

One of the best preserved charity stones in Istanbul, outside the İmrahor Mosque in the Üsküdar district.

The Forgotten Stones That Still Inspire Turks to Help Their Neighbors

A tradition of anonymous charity lives on in the age of COVID-19.

by Jennifer Hattam

August 24, 2020

Pretty, bad for historic walls.

Invasive, Photogenic Plants Are Taking a Toll on Istanbul’s Ancient Walls

One researcher is recommending a zero-tolerance policy.

by Jonathan Carey

Janissaries carrying their <em>kazan, </em>along with a regimental ladle.

Being an Ottoman Janissary Meant War, Mutiny, and Baklava

To overthrow the sultan, janissaries first threw over their cooking pots.

A saffron and rose water dressing lends unexpected perfume to a roasted sea bass stuffed with walnuts.

The Restaurant Reconstructing Recipes That Died With the Ottoman Empire

Eating like a sultan takes lots of detective work.

by Jen Rose Smith

A watercolor of a cafe in Istanbul, painted by Amadeo Preziosi sometime between 1850 and 1882.

In Istanbul, Drinking Coffee in Public Was Once Punishable by Death

Rulers throughout Europe and the Middle East once tried to ban the black brew.

Sketches of Istanbul, 1878, showing a public scribe and his customer.

Istanbul Closes the Books on Its Public Scribes

The street-based document writers for hire have been a fixture since the days of the Ottoman Empire.

by Joshua Allen

The Quiet Comeback of Istanbul's Hidden Sufi Lodges

The banned dervish halls are scattered through the city.

by Joshua Allen

October 10, 2016

In Istanbul, You Can Find Old Prisons in Restaurants, Mosques, Even 4-Star Hotels

Scattered around the city are some of the most notorious jails, if you know where to look.

by Joshua Allen

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