28 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

Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

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.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Istanbul

Asitane Restaurant

This eatery re-creates dishes from the Ottoman Empire so you can dine like a sultan.

Istanbul, Turkey

Pudding Shop (Lale Restaurant)

This crucial gathering spot along the "hippie trail" still displays old notes between traveling beatniks and backpackers.

Istanbul, Turkey

Galata House Restaurant

Housed in an old British jail, this spot serves up Georgian, Russian, and Ukrainian specialities with a side of Turkish history.

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.

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Stories About Istanbul

By the beginning of June, sea snot was thick off the coast of Turkey.

What in the World Is Sea Snot?

And why is it fouling the coast around Istanbul?

by Jessica Leigh Hester

Podcast: Basilica Cistern

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

The figures of Karagöz and Hacivat, on display inside Özek's theatre in Istanbul, appear in every shadow theater performance.

Istanbul's Master of Puppets Is on a Mission to Save an Ancient Art

From his tiny studio, Cengiz Özek finds new ways to keep this Ottoman era tradition alive.

by Demetrios Ioannou

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.

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