Are you planning on visiting Istanbul, the real gateway to both Asia and Europe? Then you are in for a unique adventure, one that you won’t find elsewhere. This beautiful city is straddling two continents and is divided by Bosphorus, a narrow waterway. One thing that separates this city from any other is that it has a unique mix of Asian and European culture which can be felt throughout the city, from the historical monuments to the ancient palaces, to a blend of the old and new world in a fascinating manner. In this city, you will find lots of people who still embrace the ancient culture of the Ottoman Empire and the Byzantium Period, and you may sometimes wonder what the future has in store for such high contrast. There are a lot of places to visit in this city that may take you a lifetime to explore all of them. Check out these top romantic places to visit in Istanbul.
1. Camlica Hill
Join other streams of visitors to this historic hill, which is one of the much talked about seven hills in some famous poems, songs, and other literature. This hill holds great beauty and the panoramic views of the whole city is also stunning. Admire the picturesque sights of the famous city’s attraction such as the Ortakoy, Suleymaniye, Sultanahmet and the prince island from the top of the hill. The Camlica hill is also a hub of superb pavilions offering tasty breakfast menu drinks and other varieties.
Camlica Hill
Address: Üsküdar, Istanbul
Website: Camlica Hill
2. Aya Yorgi Church
Located in a quiet hilltop of Buyukada, is the Aya Yorgi Church, a religious center and a home of many fascinating sculptures, mosaics, and holy relics. This sacred site is an ideal location to experience some great and memorable adventure. What’s unique about this church is that people of other faith, such as the Muslims, Turks, and Greeks gather in masses every day of the year to offer prayers and seek blessings. Never go hungry with the family-run restaurant next to this place, offering sizzling meze plates and kebabs. A visit will surely convince you to keep going.
Aya Yorgi Church
Address: Büyükada-nizam Mahallesi, Cennet Yolu, 34970 Adalar/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Aya Yorgi Church
3. Hagia Sophia Museum
The Hagia Sophia Museum is considered as one of the fascinating wonders of the world. This museum holds excellent history and it is one of the world’s principal monuments with regards to architecture and arts. For 914 years, this beautiful structure was a church until after the great conquest of Sultan Mehmed when it was converted to a mosque in 1453. However, in 1935, it was opened as a museum, housing the impressive 13th-century Deesis mosaics of Virgin Mary and John the Baptist with Christ and other historical artifacts. Have a memorable time with about 10,000 other daily visitors.
Hagia Sophia Museum
Address: Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Hagia Sophia Museum
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 9 AM-5 PM
Price: from 12 USD
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4. Galata Tower and Maiden Tower
The Galata Tower and the Maiden Tower are both located in the ancient town of Bosphorus and also hold great historical heritage. The Maiden towers hold some interesting past legends and stories which lure thousands to sail down to this beautiful location to feed their curiosity. The Galata tower was erected in the 14th century and it is 63 meters (206 feet) tall and offers picturesque views of the old city. Galata Tower was used as part of the defense wall in the 14th century and in those days, it was named the Tower of Christ. Visit these great sites and have your tour of a lifetime.
Galata Tower & Maiden Tower
Address: Salacak Mahallesi, Üsküdar Salacak Mevkii, 34668 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Galata Tower & Maiden Tower
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 9:15 AM-6:45 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM-6:45 PM, 8:15 PM-12:30 AM
Price: from 7 USD
5. Basilica Cistern
Visit this ancient subterranean building, constructed in 532 and like many other attractions in Istanbul, is a site of great historical heritage. So far, the Basilica Cistern is the most massive Byzantine Cistern that is still standing today, made with 336 columns majority of which were extracted from desolate temples and had beautifully carved capital. Admire the structure’s amazing cavernous depths, sheer grandeur and symmetry which makes it an art of pure beauty. Although forgotten for centuries, it was rediscovered, refurbished and made public, and is now one of the city’s most visited attractions.
Basilica Cistern
Address: Alemdar Mh., Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34410 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Basilica Cistern
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 9 AM-5:30 PM
Price: from 4 USD
6. Beyoglu-Tunel
Sitting in the southwestern edge of the ancient village of Istiklal Caddesi in the Beyoglu region of Istanbul is a 19th century underground train tunnel. Get to travel in one of the oldest means of underground transportation in the world which has been recently remodeled and looks quite modern. The surroundings of this tunnel are crowded with streams of people in search of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Some must-explored attractions around the region of this tunnel include the Galata Mevlevihanesi, famous Turkish musical instruments shops, the grand Consulate-General of Sweden and many more.
Beyoglu-Tunel
Address: Arap Cami Mahallesi, Tersane Cd. No:9, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Beyoglu-Tunel
7. Topkapi Palace Museum (from USD 119.0)
Your tour around Istanbul won’t be complete without making it a date to the Topkapi Palace Museum which has been the dwelling place of the Ottoman Sultans for over 600 years and the most visited museum in the whole of Turkey. Explore the great exhibitions and the lifestyle of the Sultans. The museum has a lot to offer but exploring the historical palace is more exciting. Spend some valuable time in the fantastic Imperial Harem of the castle which was accessed only by the Sultans and the servants and features around 400 apartments. Explore the exhibition hall comprising of the arms room, treasury, kitchen or admire the beautiful setting of the interior decors and exterior courtyards.
Skip the Line: Topkapi Palace Admission Ticket with English Speaking Guide
Duration 2 hours
8. Lacivert restaurant
Dine in this outstanding restaurant offering unique flavors of delectable Mediterranean dishes in the magnificent views of Bosphorus. This eatery has been serving the community with sizzling dishes since 1999, with Chef Huseyin Ceylan as the director. The primary offering of this restaurant includes Mediterranean fare served with a twist of Turkish style dishes. Sit back in the beautiful halls or terrace and enjoy your meals and scenic sights of the Bosphorus. When you are in Istanbul and seeking a superb gastronomic restaurant in a calm environment, then Lacivert is your ideal choice.
Lacivert restaurant
Address: Anadolu Hisarı Mh., Körfez Cd. 57/A, 34410 Beykoz/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Lacivert restaurant
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 10:30 AM-12 AM
Price: 10-23 USD
9. Beylerbeyi Palace
In the Asian region of the Bosphorus is the charming Beylerbeyi Palace, which was constructed in 1865 and has now turned into a major attraction and a must-visit location. Explore the beauty of the interior, a blend of a variety of eastern and western styles from the white marbles to the beautifully designed garden. Behind the palace on a sloping hillside is the terraced garden holding two amazing pavilions, the Mermer Kosk and Sari Kosk. This palace is the home of beauty and historical heritage, a good site for lovers of adventure.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Address: Beylerbeyi Mahallesi, Abdullahağa Cd., 34676 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: Beylerbeyi Palace
Opening hours: Monday: closed, Tuesday-Sunday: 9 AM-5 PM
Price: 7.57 USD
10. Golden Horn
The Golden Horn is a district of Istanbul surrounded by a horn-shaped fyord which is also called Golden Horn or Halic in the local language. The name comes from the golden reflection cast on the surface of the fyord during sunset. This beautiful district is surrounded with some of the must-see attractions of the city including the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, ancient tombs of the Ottoman period, Santral Istanbul, and many more. Also, savor some delectable Turkish traditional dishes in the Lale Lokantasi or other restaurants around and have an excellent adventure.
Get a feel of two different cultures
This comprehensive list of romantic places to visit in Istanbul has helped narrow down your choices to the most amazing experiences. The options are infinite, but these carefully selected locations will give you the best experience of what it means to be in a place with a mix of both the European and the Asian culture.
In light of the February 2023 earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria, Trip101 urges you to be apprised of the latest news if you have any plans to travel to Eastern Turkey. Other parts of the country remain open to travelers.