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14 Famous Landmarks of Istanbul

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.

Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

2 – Rumelihisari Castle stands overlooking the Bosphorus and was built in 1452.

Rumelihisari Castle

3 – 14 tons of gold and 131 handmade silk carpets were used in the decoration of  Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce palace

4 – Berlerbeyi Palace was a summer home of Ottoman rulers and the name means “Lord of Lords”

Beylerbeyi Palace

5 – The Istanbul Military Museum showcases one thousand years of war in the region.

Istanbul Military Museum in Istanbul

6 – Possibly the most famous landmark, the Blue mosque has stood proud since 1616

Blue mosque- Istanbul

7 – Located underground, the Basilica cistern also contains the upside heads of Medusa.

Basilica Cistern in Istanbul

8 – Galata Bridge is the place where cheap and delicious fish sandwiches are sold.

Galata Bridge in Istanbul

9 – The Dolmabahçe Clock tower is 27 metres high and was built in 1895

Dolmabahce Clock Tower

10 – Flower passage is now full of restaurants but its history talks about the Russian women that used to sell flowers there

Flower passage

11 – The best way to see across the horizon of Istanbul is from Galata tower, which is 66.90 metres tall.

Galata Tower

12 – Topkapi Palace was the original palace of the Ottoman rulers.

Topkapi Palace

13 – Located off Istiklal Avenue,  French Street is the place to be seen at night time.

French Street

14 – The obelisk of Theodosius was originally erected in the old hippodrome of Constantinople.

Obelisk of Theodosius

Readers Question? Which is your favourite Istanbul landmark?

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Hi. I'm Natalie, a freelance travel blogger and writer specializing in the country of Turkey. I love hot summer days, historical sites and coffee.
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Comments

  1. Miguel says

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    The Blue Mosque never fails to amaze me every time I see it in photos! 🙂

  2. Milena Yordanova says

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    Istanbul is an amazing city! There are so many interesting sites. The Dolmabahce Palace and Berlerbeyi Palace look stunning.

  3. Joao Leitao TRAVEL says

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    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!

  4. Natalie says

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    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.

  5. basil says

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    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.

  6. Natalie says

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    Thanks Lori and thank you for reading

  7. Lori says

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    Lovely selection – and photos! Loved the post!

  8. Natalie says

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    great to hear you are coming back Tom – do you know where you will be heading yet?

  9. Tom @ Waegook Tom says

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    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 😀

  10. Natalie says

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    Yes Jemma – it really is that pink!!

  11. [email protected] The Philippines says

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    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?

  12. Natalie says

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    Looking forward to when you make it Mary so I can read your articles

  13. Mary @ Green Global Travel says

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    We hope to see these sights in person one day.

  14. Natalie says

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    Thanks JJ – put it on my list of places to see next time

  15. jolly joker says

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    very nice post.
    i would like to add chora church on the list if i were you, but i am not 🙂 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.

  16. Natalie says

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    What a wonderful present. I am sure you will both have a great time

  17. David says

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    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 😀

  18. Natalie says

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    Definitely come back Shalu -there is so much more to enjoy

  19. Shalu Sharma says

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    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.

  20. Natalie says

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    It is easy to spot David and right next to the blue mosque. You will also love the other landmarks as well

  21. David says

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    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.

  22. Natalie says

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    Very true Turtle. I think I would need to live there to get to know it properly.

  23. Natalie says

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    Do it sooner rather than later Travel freak

  24. travelFREAK says

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    These photos are gorgeous! One day I will make my way to Istanbul!

  25. Turtle says

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    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!

  26. Natalie says

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    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

  27. Natalie says

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    Hagia sophia is one of my favourites as well Stephanie

  28. Natalie says

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    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!

  29. Natalie says

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    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.

  30. Alexey | Travel Photo Report says

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    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.

  31. Stephanie - The Travel Chica says

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    I loved the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia

  32. Turkey's For Life says

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    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

  33. Amanda says

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    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.

  34. Natalie says

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    Thank you ET – glad you liked them

  35. Natalie says

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    Thanks Ali – looking forward to anymore posts that you and Andrew have about Turkey

  36. Natalie says

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    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.

  37. Eurotrip Tips says

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    Gorgeous photos and good article!

  38. Ali says

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    I love Istanbul! Great photos!

  39. Ozlem's Turkish Table says

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    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.

  40. Natalie says

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    Do you mean your list of places to go Mark? If so, visit as soon as possible. It is a photographers dream

  41. Natalie says

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    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

  42. Natalie says

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    Thanks Alan – I keep trying. Just the editing process, that I need to be careful of. Sometimes I go above board

  43. Natalie says

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    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.

  44. Mark E Tisdale says

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    Beautiful landmarks – already on the list but this confirms Turkey belongs on it. Sigh!

  45. Darlene Jones says

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    I loved Istanbul. Didn’t have nearly enough time there, but at least I got to see it.

  46. Alan says

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    Super photo-post Natalie – your photography is going a bomb!

  47. Angela says

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    Beautiful Istanbul, I had a great time there, would love to go again.


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