Things To Do Istanbul

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Places To Visit In Istanbul

Istanbul Akvaryum

The Istanbul Akvaryum is the biggest thematic aquarium in the world situated close to the Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. The aquarium houses over 1,500 land and water species and is divided into 17 themes. Some of the most popular species here include Gentoo penguins, Capybaras, Cownose rays, Musky caimans, Lemon sharks and Redbelly piranhas. The Istanbul Aquarium is one of the leading aquariums in the world owing to its diverse aquatic life, the volume of the tanks and activities on its geographical route. This route, which extends from the Black Sea towards the Pacific, features 17 themes and one rainforest including the Red Sea Section, Amazon Section, Black Sea Section and Panama Canal Section. Each theme is accompanied by decorative elements, visual graphics, sounds, interactive games and videos that shed light on its geographical, cultural, historical and architectural properties. Different activities are also organised here; one can go diving with sharks, feed the fish, take a diving course, etc. Within the aquarium are 2 6-axle 5D movie houses that can accommodate 15 people each. They play 7 different movies and are known for their fun effects like water, wind, fog, etc. There is also a gift shop where one can buy souvenirs, three cafes on the travel route as well as a restaurant that overlooks the Panama Canal. Read More

The Şişli Culture and Trade Center is a modern shopping mall based in the Şişli district of Istanbul, Turkey. More popular as Istanbul Cevahir Mall, this shopping center is one of the largest malls in the world, spreading across a 672,000 sq ft area; this mall houses over 343 stores across six floors dedicated to retail. In addition, the mall has a parking lot that can accommodate up to 2500 vehicles. You will find a shopper's paradise at Istanbul Cevahir Mall, from top international brands to in-house Turkish stores.Istanbul Cevahir Mall is big on entertainment with 12 cinemas, including ones for children and private occupancy, mini roller coaster, and arcades, among other fun-based activities. Read More

Istanbul Modern Art Museum, commonly known as just Istanbul Museum, is temporarily located in the Beyoǧlu district while the new building in Karaköy undergoes construction. It is an artist’s paradise and Turkey's first modern and contemporary art museum. It was opened in 2004 with Levent Çalıkoğlu acting as the Director-General. The place displays authentic Turkish talent with great emphasis on bringing the local culture to a global level and provides support to artists in their efforts to secure partnerships with international labels. The top floor of the museum houses its permanent collection featuring artists such as Hoca Ali Riza and Nuri Iyem, a shop and a restaurant as well the space for various educational programmes that it hosts for art enthusiasts. The lower floor holds temporary exhibitions and the library. The museum will be shifting back to Karaköy and the new building will be inaugurated in the spring of 2022. It has been constructed under the great expertise of Renzo Piano and will offer visitors new exhibition areas, design shops and various activities. Read More

The Istanbul Toy Museum or İstanbul Oyuncak Müzesi is a toy museum located in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul, Turkey in a former historical mansion. Established in 2005 by the Turkish poet and author Sunay Akın, the museum houses over 4,000 toys from Turkey and more than 40 other countries, many of which date back to the 1700s and were bought at antique shops and auctions. The museum is spread out across four floors. It has come to be known as the “capital of toy museums” and seeks to educate the public about various historical events through toys. For instance, the section on space toys depicts man’s attempt to reach the moon while the section on toy trains represents the Industrial revolution. Some other popular toys at the museum include a doll made in the USA in the 1820s, a miniature violin made in France in 1817, tin toys from Germany and more. Apart from the exhibitions, the museum also organises activities for children like traditional and modern puppet shows, magic shows and workshops, as well as activities for adults like theatre performances, photography workshops, art seminars, etc. There is also a cafe within the building, called the Museum Cafe, which is designed to appear like a dollhouse. Read More

Istinye Park is a luxurious shopping complex situated in the Istinye quarter of Istanbul and divided into 3 separate sections. The first section has 280 stores laid out in a blend of enclosed and open space along with lush-green gardens. Its entertainment centre, The Grand Rotunda, has a four-level arena space with a moving stage and kinetic water sculptures. The third section, The Turkish Food Bazaar, consists of numerous fine-dining restaurants and fast-food eating outlets. The mall has A-list designer outlets including Chanel, Dior, Hermes and Gucci as well as high street fashion brands such as Zara and Marks and Spencer. In addition to the local delicacies and the overall exceptional eating experience, the Turkish Food Bazaar also incorporates in its buildings the traditional Turkish architecture which lets the tourists enjoy a mix of modern and old Turkey. Read More

In a rich architectural backdrop, Kanyon Istanbul blends a distinctive approach to retail, entertainment, and shopping. Kanyon has a gymnasium, nine cinema halls, and 160 merchants. Top national and international brands, cafes, and outdoor events are all in a lively environment. Harvey Nichols, a well-known global fashion boutique, and Vakko are among the notable trend-setting businesses housed at Kanyon.

Kucuksu Palace is a former summer pavilion turned into a museum, situated in the Beykoz district of Istanbul, Turkey. Visited for its architecture and artefacts, the palace was constructed under Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid’s reign and was used by the Ottoman Sultans for short stays. The palace was built in the new-baroque style and has 2 main floors and 1 basement. Around the structure is a garden that is surrounded by cast-iron railings on all four sides and a gate on each side. The main floors feature the layout of a traditional Turkish house since they each have four rooms around a central hallway. Displayed around the rooms and halls are several paintings and works of art. There are 2 fireplaces in the waterfront rooms and only one in the others, made from Italian marble. Other notable features of the rooms include crystal chandeliers from Bohemia as well as carpets, furniture upholstery and curtains woven in Hereke. The basement, on the other hand, was used for the kitchen, larder, cellar and servant quarters. Read More

The Laleli Mosque is one of the smaller Ottoman imperial mosques located in Faith district of Istanbul. Also known as the Tulip Mosque, it was built by Sultan Mustafa III in the 18th century. The complex houses a mosque, madrasa, a fountain, and the tombs of Sultan Mustafa III and his family. The central dome is quite an attraction as are the minarets and the metal decoration on top of them. Built on a raised terrace over a row of shops, Laleli Mosque also has a great hall underneath. The Baroque-designed mosque is most cherished for its quiet and peaceful interiors. The walls are colorful in marble hues of blue, red, yellow, and brown. They are also further beautified using semi-precious stones, such as jasper and onyx. The mimbar (pulpit) and mihrab (qibla or wall that gives direction to pray) inside the mosque also look splendid as they are richly adorned with stones and marbles. The serenity of the interiors gives way to the hustle and bustle of the city when one climbs over the terrace to watch the adjoining city area. There is also a marketplace around the mosque complex with shops selling household items and textiles. Read More

Located within the Forum Istanbul Mall in Bayrampasa, the Legoland Discovery Centre is a fun and interactive entertainment park. Enjoyed most by families of children aged between 3-10 years, Legoland’s activities include rides, play zones, workshops, a LEGO 4D theatre, and more. Some other wonderful attractions are Miniland, a mini Lego city built with replicas of famous monuments of Istanbul. One can take the Lego Factory tour or visit the Lego Fire Academy, Lego Construction Site, Lego Racers, Master Model Builder, etc. However, the main attraction is also that adults and kids can make anything using Lego figures and bricks. And to take a break from the building, there are amusement rides, such as the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride and Merlin’s Apprentice Ride. There is a café and a Lego shop too! Read More

The Little Hagia Sophia mosque is a former Greek Orthodox Church located between the Cankurtaran and Kadırga districts, in the west of the Sultanahmet neighbourhood in Istanbul. It is one of the original buildings in Istanbul, belonging to the early Byzantine period, known for its stunning architecture. The beautiful marble columns on the ground floor and the gallery on the second floor are a must-see. Initially, the Little Hagia Sophia was constructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian as a Church. Built in 530, this church was dedicated to St. Bacchus and St. Sergius, and after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, Bayezid converted it into a mosque. The mosque's structure flaunts an elegant umbrella dome having an alternate series of eight flat sections and eight concave sections. It stands on eight polygonal pillars. There is a portico and a madrassa in the front, added during the Ottoman period. Also, there is a small garden, a fountain for the wash-up, and several small shops. Little Hagia Sophia is a five-minute walkable distance from the famous Blue Mosque. Read More