Istanbul is a huge city with thousands of landmarks. Most of them are historic buildings dating back hundreds of years, especially to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire.
Some landmarks are more famous than others are, but all serve one common purpose as an identifiable object on the horizon.
Here are my 14 favourite postcard style pictures of some landmarks in Istanbul.
Famous Landmarks of Istanbul
1 – The Hagia Sophia is a former church, mosque and now one of the most visited museums in Istanbul.
2 – Rumelihisari Castle stands overlooking the Bosphorus and was built in 1452.
3 – 14 tons of gold and 131 handmade silk carpets were used in the decoration of Dolmabahce Palace
4 – Berlerbeyi Palace was a summer home of Ottoman rulers and the name means “Lord of Lords”
5 – The Istanbul Military Museum showcases one thousand years of war in the region.
6 – Possibly the most famous landmark, the Blue mosque has stood proud since 1616
7 – Located underground, the Basilica cistern also contains the upside heads of Medusa.
8 – Galata Bridge is the place where cheap and delicious fish sandwiches are sold.
9 – The Dolmabahçe Clock tower is 27 metres high and was built in 1895
10 – Flower passage is now full of restaurants but its history talks about the Russian women that used to sell flowers there
11 – The best way to see across the horizon of Istanbul is from Galata tower, which is 66.90 metres tall.
12 – Topkapi Palace was the original palace of the Ottoman rulers.
13 – Located off Istiklal Avenue, French Street is the place to be seen at night time.
14 – The obelisk of Theodosius was originally erected in the old hippodrome of Constantinople.
Readers Question? Which is your favourite Istanbul landmark?
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Additional note : The clever folks over at Print Runner helped me to produce this list of famous landmarks in Istanbul. They also help travel businesses to promote city landmarks using Postcard and Brochure printing services online.
Beautiful Istanbul, I had a great time there, would love to go again.
Angela recently wrote about..Photo Essay: Rio de Janeiro’s vibrant and colorful Sunday market
Do it Angela, I never tire of the city and have only seen half of it. I think to understand it properly, I would need to live there for at least a year.
Natalie recently wrote about..Sumela Monastery and the Black Madonna
Super photo-post Natalie – your photography is going a bomb!
Thanks Alan – I keep trying. Just the editing process, that I need to be careful of. Sometimes I go above board
Natalie recently wrote about..Kümbet Mosque, aka The Church of 12 Apostles
I loved Istanbul. Didn’t have nearly enough time there, but at least I got to see it.
That is the problem Darlene – many people go for four days and it is not long enough. I have been three times now, and still need to return as there are other things I want to see
Natalie recently wrote about..A Panoramic View of Rize from Çaykur Tea Garden
Beautiful landmarks – already on the list but this confirms Turkey belongs on it. Sigh!
Mark E Tisdale recently wrote about..Abstract Photography – What’s in A Name?
Do you mean your list of places to go Mark? If so, visit as soon as possible. It is a photographers dream
Natalie recently wrote about..Göksu Waterfall : A Rush of Adrenaline and Euphoria
What wonderful memories this post brings Natalie, thank you for the wonderful photos as always, never get tired of them.
You were in my latest post with your Kalkan-art scene post – really enjoyed the vibrant art scene there, so inspirational.
Ozlem’s Turkish Table recently wrote about..Glorious South Coast of Turkey – Kalkan, Fethiye, Oludeniz and more- & Its Wonderful People
That is a wonderful post Ozlem – I left a comment as it reminded me that life is quite good here in Turkey. I really do sometimes take things for granted, but that post made me look at life from the outside in.
Natalie recently wrote about..Kümbet Mosque, aka The Church of 12 Apostles
I love Istanbul! Great photos!
Ali recently wrote about..My Top Sunset Photos
Thanks Ali – looking forward to anymore posts that you and Andrew have about Turkey
Natalie recently wrote about..A Panoramic View of Rize from Çaykur Tea Garden
Gorgeous photos and good article!
Thank you ET – glad you liked them
Natalie recently wrote about..Göksu Waterfall : A Rush of Adrenaline and Euphoria
Ah, Istanbul. I really fell in love with this city this summer!
I loved some of the lesser-visited mosques a lot, but Hagia Sofia really stands out to me as my favorite place. I don’t care how “touristy” it is – it is nothing short of breathtaking.
Amanda recently wrote about..My Bulgarian Babas
I am following your stories Amanda. You have published some great photo posts from Istanbul. So glad you had the chance to experience this wonderful country.
Natalie recently wrote about..Is Trabzon The City Of Love?
Photos have come out really well Natalie. We’re the same as you – still so much to see in Istanbul. We make sure we’re there at least once a year and I bet we’ve not even seen half the city.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently wrote about..Izmir – Turkey’s Windy City
I think I have only seen a quarter of it TFL. I can understand the blogs that purely devote themselves to the city. They have enough material to write for years to come!
Natalie recently wrote about..Kümbet Mosque, aka The Church of 12 Apostles
I loved the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia
Hagia sophia is one of my favourites as well Stephanie
Natalie recently wrote about..Göksu Waterfall : A Rush of Adrenaline and Euphoria
Love Istanbul. Just spent a week there at the end of July. Nice set of pics though I prefer Suleymaniy mosque rather than The Blue One. The latter seems to be overrated and the first one – underrated.
I have heard a few people say that Alexey. Suleymaniy is still on the list of places to visit for me. Loved your photos of Miniaturk btw
Natalie recently wrote about..The Simplicity of Simena and My Desire to Return
Great list. And gorgeous photos! Istanbul seemed to me like the kind of city that you could go many many times and still not see everything. That’s the sign of a good place!
Turtle recently wrote about..The mysterious Lycians
Very true Turtle. I think I would need to live there to get to know it properly.
Natalie recently wrote about..The Grand Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
These photos are gorgeous! One day I will make my way to Istanbul!
Do it sooner rather than later Travel freak
Great post.
I’m on a ‘mission’ to photograph every Ancient Egyptian Obelisk in the world, and this is one of the few I have left.
I didn’t realise Istanbul had so much stuff there. We’ll definitely tick it off the list very soon.
It is easy to spot David and right next to the blue mosque. You will also love the other landmarks as well
Natalie recently wrote about..The Grand Hagia Sophia of Trabzon
Looking forward to it.
I’ve booked a secret valentine day trip with my wife.
Partly becuase I love her and want to take her away for the weekend, and partly becuase I want to photograph another obelisk
What a wonderful present. I am sure you will both have a great time
Natalie recently wrote about..The Shoe Shine Scam of Istanbul
Brilliant article. It was a few years back when I was in Istanbul. Been to some of the places but not all of it. Hence more reason to come back for more. I remember going to a museum, can’t remember if it was Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque but I saw some historical artefacts from India which I had read in the history books. I really liked the place, want to come back for more.
Shalu Sharma recently wrote about..State of Bihar – Places of interest and tourist attractions
Definitely come back Shalu -there is so much more to enjoy
Natalie recently wrote about..The Shoe Shine Scam of Istanbul
very nice post.
if you didn’t have any chance to see it, make a visit next time when you will be in istanbul again, you might like it.
i would like to add chora church on the list if i were you, but i am not
Thanks JJ – put it on my list of places to see next time
We hope to see these sights in person one day.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently wrote about..INTERVIEW: Jean-Michel Cousteau On His Father’s Legacy & The Future of Marine Conservation
Looking forward to when you make it Mary so I can read your articles
Wow… I didn’t know that it’s this beautiful in Istanbul. The French street is my favorite view. Is it always that pinkish in that street?
Yes Jemma – it really is that pink!!
Ahh, Istanbul! I used Galata Tower to navigate when I first got into the city, it helped a LOT! The Blue Mosque is my favourite, and I had a great fish sandwich around the Galata Bridge area. I can’t wait to go back in July
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently wrote about..The Double Whammy Review!
great to hear you are coming back Tom – do you know where you will be heading yet?
Natalie recently wrote about..My 2013 Travel Plans for the Bodrum Peninsula
Lovely selection – and photos! Loved the post!
Lori recently wrote about..MoMath, Museum of Mathematics, Combines Fun and Science
Thanks Lori and thank you for reading
Natalie recently wrote about..The Mesopotamian Ruins of Dara Near the Syrian Border
Your photos sadden me as Galata Bridge was one of the planned destinations of a dear friend, the one who was on vacation in Istanbul when she dissappeared and recently found murdered.
It is very sad news Basil and even more so for you as she was a close friend. I hope they find the people that did that to her and she can rest in peace.
Natalie recently wrote about..The Coffee Houses of Gaziantep
Great travel tips in what to see in Istanbul. I lived in this incredible city for 4 months and I appreciated all the moments I spent there. Great location, great people, great city. Thank you for this article. Greetings from MOROCCO!
Joao Leitao TRAVEL recently wrote about..Countries to Visit that Don’t really Exist