Updated Date : 09.03.2023
Are you thinking about going on a vacation? There are so many beautiful places to visit in Istanbul. The city is an actual mixture of several cultures, where the west meets the east. Istanbul has connected continents, empires, religions and cultures for years. There's everything truly esoteric about the city of Istanbul in Turkey.
This article is the ultimate guide for you when you travel to Istanbul for vacations, along with a list of the top ten free things you can explore on a shoestring.
Visiting the Suleymaniye Mosque
The mosques in Istanbul are among the top tourist attractions. The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the biggest mosques in Istanbul. It is located near the Grand Bazaar on the hills of Istanbul.
The unique architecture with particular colors and stunning calligraphy makes it distinctive. Furthermore, the interior of the mosque leaves you wonderstruck. It is also surrounded by houses, shops, and a garden with a terrace offering refreshing sceneries of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.
Moreover, the mosque also has a hammam, hospital, kitchen and a library inside. Besides this, the famous sultans are also buried near it. Suleymaniye Mosque is open for all tourists from dawn to dusk.
Opening Hours: Every day from 08:00 to 21:30
Stroll the Foreshore in Khalkedon (Kadikoy)
The remarkable scenery of beaches is the major Istanbul attraction. So is the foreshore of Kadikoy. On the eastern side of Istanbul, near the suburb of Kadikoy, there is a seashore which is a heavenly place to spend your time and get some fresh air.
At night, tourists come here to relax. As a result, the nearby restaurants and bars are usually full of people.
Dogancay Museum
If you are an art lover, then the Dogancay Museum, Istanbul is a fantastic place to visit. The city is full of free art museums to see; the Dogancay Museum is in a hundred-year-old antique building, showcasing the amazing artworks of some of the renowned artists along with the father-son duo of Adil and Burhan.
This museum has some of the most famous canvases and photographs. Make sure you have a map while you are exploring the beauty of Istanbul. The Museum can be missed because it is situated in a street lane.
Dogancay Museum is closed temporarily.
Zeyrek Mosque
The architectural review of the Zeyrek Mosque depicts that it was designed from Byzantine architecture and shows the legacy of the Ottoman. Therefore, Zeyrek Mosque, also known as the Pantokrator Monastery, can be a convenient resting place for visitors to explore the mosque's beauty.
It's on top of Istanbul Hill, which offers spectacular views over the Golden Horn and the Galata Tower. Thus, Istanbul is an amazing place for sightseeing.
Opening hours: EVery day from 08:00 to 21:30
Taksim Square
Taksim Square is an advanced side of the city, located in Istanbul's Beyoglu district. It has some stores near to it along with famous hotels like Intercontinental Istanbul and Grand Hyatt Istanbul.
Despite this, some people have said that the place has nothing special. But it is mainly crowded due to a large number of shopping centers and restaurants nearby.
With an Istanbul E-pass, you can join the Istiklal street & Cinema museum guided tour and get more information about Taksim. Moreover, you can visit Madame Tussauds, the Museum of Illusions, Galata Tower, and Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum for free with an Istanbul E-pass.
With an Istanbul E-pass you can join Istiklal street & Cinema museum guided tour and get more information about Taksim. Moreover, you can visit Madame Tussauds, Museum of Illusions, Galata Tower and Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum for free with an Istanbul E-pass.
Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews
Turkey is a blend of various cultures so is the Zulfaris Synagogue, which is now a museum. This museum depicts true pictures of Jewish culture.
The Synagogue isn't much crowded as it is well hidden from the tourists' eyes. So you can discover the place much more easily.
Opening hours: The museum is open Fridays from 10:00 to 13:00, on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, andThursdays from 10:00 to 17:00, and closed on Saturdays.
Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art
This Museum was founded more than a decade ago for the promotion of contemporary art in the city. This Museum showcases a few classics of famous artists in turkey. It even has an open-air terrace which is open for visitors displaying all the supreme art pieces. It is open from Tuesday to Friday and closed on Sundays.
Opening hours: Elgiz museum is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, except on Sundays and Mondays.
Visit Local Markets
Wandering around the local markets and streets can freshen your mind and not cost you a penny. Getting the beautiful sights, listening to good music, scrumptious tastes, and soothing fragrances of the markets feels like free therapy.
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar is one of the amazing tourist attractions in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is so-called because of the large area it covers. Daily 250000 to 400000 visitors come to explore this market comprising 65 streets.
Roaming around one of the city's largest, remost nowned, and most conventional markets is so refreshing. One can spend a whole day and still not get enough of exploring the Bazaar. Using a map will be helpful to find your way out of the Grand Bazaar.
Visit Information: The Grand Bazaar is open every day except Sundays and the national/religious holidays between 09.00-19.00. There is no entrance fee for the market. Istanbul E-pass provides free guided tours.
Yildiz Park
Yildiz Park is open to the public. Situated in the heart of Istanbul, Yildiz Park is a treat for couples and tourists. Furthermore, after roaming around the city, you can also rest here for hours. The fresh air in Yildiz park indeed touches your soul and gives you a relaxing time.
The Final word
There's no doubt Istanbul is one of the most beautiful and dazzling cities. When you visit it for the first time, you'll realize that there are many lovely places to see in the city which shall provide you with so many memories to cherish later.
We hope that this travel guide will surely be helpful in your upcoming visit to Istanbul. You are going to live it up if you explore the beauty of this city.