15 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

Tombili

A meow-velous tribute to a beloved street cat, made famous on the internet.

Istanbul, Turkey

Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia

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

The Museum of Innocence

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

Istanbul, Turkey

Panorama 1453 Museum

Step back in time and witness the fall of Constantinople.

See All 15 Things to Do in Istanbul See All 15 Places

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.

Are we missing a unique food or drink in Istanbul?

Atlas Obscura Trips

Istanbul: Exploring the Tastes of Two Continents

On this week-long culinary experience in collaboration with Culinary Backstreets, we’ll be studying the city of Istanbul through its kitchens—investigating the disparate influences that form the great mosaic that is modern-day Istanbul cuisine.

Teddy Wolff

Community Forums / Middle East / Turkey

Top Discussions in the Turkey Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
New York Times article: Turkish whistling language	1 May 30, 2019	220	May 30, 2019
Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul	6 February 8, 2019	1299	February 8, 2019
Divle Obruk	2 October 6, 2019	746	October 6, 2019
İşkembe Çorbası	1 December 14, 2018	854	December 14, 2018
Hagia Sophia Wishing Column	1 July 23, 2019	732	July 23, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Istanbul, Turkey

Launch Map

Istanbul Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Istanbul Activity

UddaUtflykter has been to Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain

UddaUtflykter has been to Obelisk of Theodosius

UddaUtflykter has been to Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia

UddaUtflykter has been to Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

quiarita has been to Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

Stories
About Istanbul

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.

Scribes have been a part of life in Turkey since the days of the Ottoman Empire, serving as navigators of the legal system and sources of knowledge for the community.

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