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

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.

Istanbul, Turkey

Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

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

See All 29 Things to Do in Istanbul See All 29 Places

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

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.

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	586	May 30, 2019
Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, where to book?	0 July 25, 2019	294	July 25, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Istanbul, Turkey

Launch Map

Istanbul Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Istanbul Activity

vanorders has been to Obelisk of Theodosius

vanorders has been to Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

ahyankhan2424 has been to Isa Yusuf Alptekin Park

Aglatter wants to go to Tombili

Aglatter has been to Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

Stories About Istanbul

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.

A street in Istanbul where people can go to have documents typed up while they wait, 1959.

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

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.