Fellow travelers, are you looking for the most perfect, neat, and most instagrammable places in Istanbul? Or are you one of those people who prefer to run away from the crowds and find yourself in one of those stunning hidden gems we keep seeing on Pinterest?
No matter what you’re looking for, if you’re planning on visiting Istanbul, in beautiful and hot Turkey, you’ll find here all you need to discover the city for the first time – or the hundreth.
I am here today, to tell you about the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, with colorful neighborhoods from Balat to Karakoy, and sweet hidden gems from the stunning Suflor Cafe to the Million Stone.
Without further ado, let us dive into the major adventure that is exploring Istanbul, its colorful streets, bazaars, and beautiful mosques!
And if you’d like to find out new amazing colorful places and instagrammable spots in other cities in the world, check out these guides too:
- The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Paris
- The Most Colorful Places in London
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
18 Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul & Hidden Gems
Istanbul, Turkey keeps attracting masses, and how could it not? It’s the crib of European culture, at the crossroads between Asia and the Arab world, and it boasts everything from food to culture, art, and religion.
If you’re a lover of colorful houses, Istanbul doesn’t lack in this area. It doesn’t lack rooftops either, so if you’re the kind of person who loves snapping Instagram shots here and there, you’ll also find here some of the most famous rooftops in Istanbul.
Hopefully, once you’re done reading this post, you’ll have a pretty precise idea of the neighborhoods and instagrammable places in Istanbul you’ll want to visit first when you set foot in Turkey!
Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Balat Neighborhood
One of the most magical places to visit in Istanbul is the Balat neighborhood, which you’ll probably have spotted at least once if you’re an avid Pinterest travel pics lover.
One of the best photography spots in Istanbul is definitely in Balat and Fener. As a matter of fact, do try to stay away from the crowds and do a little exploration around the district of Fatih as well, as it might be a bit lesser-known, but still one of these must-visit neighborhoods.
You get to experience a lot from the city and the truth is that you will leave these colorful streets in Istanbul with a bittersweet feeling – just because you will definitely miss them. You know, ‘happy to travel, but sad to say goodbye’.
Close to The Golden Horn lies Balat. The place is one of Istanbul’s oldest neighborhoods, with a lot of ancient history.
Balat also has some of the most colorful streets in Istanbul, which will remind you a lot of Camden Town and Notting Hill, if you’re ever been in that type of super colorful area in London.
These streets in particular tend to be located a bit further away from the tourist areas, making it one of those hidden gems in Istanbul you cannot miss. Funny enough, it is also one of the most instagrammable places in Turkey itself when you leave aside nature and culture.
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Most Colorful Places in Istanbul: Grand Bazaar
One of the best photography spots in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar. We are talking about a real Bazaar here, with all its vibrant colors, sounds, and chaos everywhere – and a perfect spot to bring back home a handful of Turkish souvenirs.
This beautiful spectacle of lights is considered to be the first shopping mall in the entire world, and if you’re looking for the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, it’s hard to dismiss the Grand Bazaar.
It was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461. Grab your camera, because in every stall, different street, or new corner you will mostly like to find an Instagram worthy of souvenirs and all the cute things.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Spice or Egyptian Bazaar
Talk about the colors, and smells – just like Balat, the vibrant Egyptian Bazaar shows you an outstanding selection of displays lined up with colored spices.
This one is one of the most colorful places in Istanbul and one of the most instagrammable places in Turkey overall.
With lots of Turkish treats and other mouth-watering temptations of sorts, this colorful Bazaar brings you to the Eminönü building, in the heart of the Fatih district, the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar.
The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest bazaars in the city, and one of the oldest too since it’s been in activity since the 17th century.
What you’ll find there is mostly spices, fruits, and plenty of Turkish food treats perfect to keep you going for the day.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Hagia Sophia
Now, if you’re looking for the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul, you cannot miss Hagia Sophia – anyone who’s been to Turkey, and more specifically Istanbul, will tell you about it.
Hagia Sophia is a Grand Mosque with a grand culture and history, and one of the most important landmarks in Istanbul. It’s located on the opposite side of the Blue Mosque, so you could literally visit both on the same day if you’re motivated.
It was originally a Greek Orthodox church until the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 and served as a mosque until 1935, when it finally became a museum.
The Hagia Sophia museum is one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, and probably the whole of Turkey.
A lovely place with almost 1500 years of history, it is one of the largest buildings in the world and even used to be the largest building in the world at some point.
This marvelous place is open to the public and you can capture wonderful photos of the low-hanging chandeliers, ornate ceiling, and phenomenal windows inside the building.
Beware, Hagia Sophia is one of the most instagrammable in Istanbul, so make sure you get there early to avoid queuing and really enjoy your time once inside.
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Most Instagrammable Cafes in Istanbul: Suflor Cafe
If you’re ever feeling the urge to hide away from the crowds and have a more relaxed afternoon than you would at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, another one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul is Suflor Cafe, in Beşiktaş.
Even if you ever come across instagrammable cafes in Manhattan, Paris, or London, you’ll never find such a coffee shop – it’s totally black and white, and you’ll feel like you’re taking tea inside a cartoon.
It opens at 11.30 am, so if you’re the kind of person who wakes up early and likes to be super productive, why don’t you have a stroll around before heading to Suflor Cafe for breakfast?
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is a magnificent landmark of the city, and also one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul. It was built in the 14th century, and since it’s part of the Skyline of Istanbul, you can get there to observe the northern part of the city at golden hour.
The Galata Kulesi Museum, as it was named originally, is an old Genoese tower in the Galata part of the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul.
Initially, this beautiful place was built as a watchtower at the highest point of the Walls of Galata for defense purposes and later used as a prison. The tower is now an exhibition space and museum, and a symbol of both Beyoğlu and Istanbul.
Being one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, it tends to get busy and filled with people. My best advice is to go early in the morning to get beautiful pictures without being disturbed, and then stroll around Beyoğlu.
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Most Colorful Places in Istanbul: Umbrella Street
If you’re a Pinterest lover, chances are you’ve come across the super colorful umbrella street in Istanbul before, but I felt like it definitely belonged to this post.
This place is usually filled with people, travelers, and locals, and of course, offers a whole vibe coming from the local businesses. This umbrella street is close to another cute spot in the city called Camondo Stairs, which we’ll see later in this guide.
Just located on Hoca Tahsin Street in Karaköy, this once reserve of workshops and fishermen is considered to be one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. A colorful neighborhood, and a lively one too!
From its vibrant colors and smells coming from the seller’s carts during the day, to the illuminated fairy lights and the bars at night, the umbrella street is far from being a tourist-free zone.
If you wish to have pictures alone posing close to those beautiful umbrellas, make sure to go early or embrace its evening vibe and explore during the afternoon/night.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Turkey: Dolmabahçe Palace
Now let’s ditch the streets, and go for the glamorous and regal Dolmabahçe Palace. The palace is a must on your list of beautiful places in Istanbul to visit. It is grand, majestic, and dreamy, and actually used to be the residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
The Dolmabahçe Palace is one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, and not just because of how magnificent it looks on the outside and its rich history.
This place is beautiful on the inside, however, and with that said, it is not possible to photograph on the inside, but you get lots of rooms and salons to explore while having a blast!
Make sure to visit the Bosphorus gates before entering the palace, it makes this whole experience even more fantastic. Inside the gardens, you are free to take as many pictures as you want, so enjoy the gorgeous flora and statues of the palace.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Kamondo Merdivenleri
Kamondo Merdivenleri, or Camondo Stairs, is probably the cutest staircase in all of the city, obviously making it one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul.
This beautiful staircase is located a few minutes away from the magnificent Galata Tower and the umbrella street, in the Karaköy district.
The staircase was built in the 19th century by the Kamondo family. Its history is actually adorable, you see: this staircase was made so that their children could take a quick shortcut to school and it was built in this curved shape so that the children wouldn’t fall harshly.
It might not be one of the most colorful places in Istanbul but it is certainly Instagram-worthy, and in my opinion, as a lover of old and rustic things, this cute staircase is actually one of the most beautiful places in Istanbul.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Nova Santiye Cafe Rooftop
Let’s talk a little bit about Istanbul rooftop photoshoots now, shall we? First, you’ve got the rooftop at the top of the Nova Santiye Cafe, which is a really popular place among travelers who wish to snap shots of the views in Istanbul.
It’s open from 8 am to 12 am, so you have the choice to take some shots of the sunrise while enjoying some tea or coffee, or pictures of the sunset.
The rooftop of the Nova Santiye Cafe is a bit expensive but rather popular, so if you’re around the Fatih district, why not try it out? It comes with great beautiful views and the typical Turkish cushions and tapestries for you to enjoy the stunning skyline over Istanbul.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Taht Istanbul
The famous Taht Istanbul is probably one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul when it comes to rooftops – even more than the Nova Santiye Cafe.
This one really is made for people who want to get some unforgettable shots of the city, as aside from that, it’s not a hidden gem at all.
Taht Istanbul also charges a fee in exchange for the perfect photo, but it also has the advantage of offering different scenarios – they have a Flower cafe which looks very much like Elan Cafe, and even a Barbie booth in addition to the rooftop.
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Istanbul Rooftop Photoshoot: Seven Hills Restaurant
Behind Sultanahmet Square, there is a lift that leads to another gorgeous rooftop, and yet another one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul: the Seven Hills Restaurant.
It specializes in seafood and offers beautiful views of the city, and of some of the most important landmarks in Istanbul.
Obviously, it’s not the cheapest restaurant in town, but if you come in the morning, why not just treat yourself to coffee and breakfast before touring the city?
Or, the Seven Hills Restaurant & Hotel could be your go-to relax after a morning of exploring the city. The restaurant has lovely and breathtaking views of The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, so that’s really one of the places you can’t miss if you want to see the views of Istanbul.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: The Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is another one of the landmarks you have to check out, as it’s rich in history and culture, and is one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul.
It was built by Sultan Ahmed at the beginning of the 17th Century, and the blue hand-painted tiles mosque is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The interior of the mosque is an absolute delight, however, if you’re looking for your perfect Istanbul Instagram picture, you will have to play its magic in the courtyard only.
The Blue Mosque is the largest Ottoman-era historical imperial building, therefore, one of the most touristy areas of the entire city. A functioning mosque that attracts large numbers of tourist visitors on a daily basis.
Go early if you feel just as overwhelmed as I do with crowds and want to be able to take photographs the way you want and still appreciate the place – which we all know takes time.
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Hidden Gems in Istanbul: The Million Stone
The Million Stone is another very important historical site of Istanbul, the Roman Millarium Aureum (Golden Milestone) of its real name. The importance of the milestone comes from its useful properties back in the 4th century AD.
The milestone was used to measure and calculate distances during the Byzantium Empire era. If you’re looking for cute, hidden gems in Istanbul, the Million Stone is a landmark you don’t want to miss.
It is considered to be the zero point of the world, and at the crossroads between the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, leading to the famous saying “all roads lead to Rome”. How incredible is it, that such a seemingly normal stone would actually be one of the most important landmarks in the entire world?
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Hidden Gems in Istanbul: Siirt Bazaar
The Siirt Bazaar, also called the Women’s Bazaar, is located in Unkapani, in the Fatih district. If you’re looking for places to eat street food in Istanbul, the Siirt Bazaar is definitely a great spot to have on your must-visit list.
Due to its lack of tourists, a huge number of which you’d usually find in the Grand Bazaar, the Siirt Bazaar is a quieter, lovely place where you can find good quality food from different Turkish cities such as Siirt, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Mus, Bitlis, and Mardin.
For its unique beauty and sensational variety of treats, this is a Turkish delight one must see when in Istanbul. There, you will find a tasty variety of cheese products, herbs, teas, and honey, among many other ingredients.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Sile
Let me take you to one of the most dreamy hidden gems in Istanbul: Sile. It is located away from the city center, on the Asian side – approximately 80 km (close to a 2h drive) from the city center.
Sile is a lovely town located right on the shore of the Black Sea and bathes in outstanding beaches, restaurants, nature, and views. A lot of people tend to stay at grand hotels in Sile located really close to the beach to enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding nature.
You’ve got magical colors, a historical lighthouse that dates back to the Ottoman era, and colorful streets. Even if it’s much further away from the center than Fatih or Balat are, it’s still one of the most magical places in Istanbul.
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Basilica Cistern
Talk about mysterious buildings in Istanbul! The Basilica Cistern is another landmark in Istanbul worth a picture or two. It was built in 632 AD for the Byzantium Emperor Justinian I and boasts a huge underground reservoir.
This beautiful landmark is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. To get access to it, you will have to use the staircase and go down 52 steps. Once you get there, be prepared to be amazed.
Honestly, it’s jaw-dropping once you spot the grand columns, which are 9 meters tall and seem to float on water.
The pillars only make the Basilica Cistern one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul – with 336 columns and Medusa heads, you’d feel like you’re in the depths of Rome.
To this day, it remains a mystery (dating back to the early 4th century) where exactly these two columns with the heads of medusa were removed and brought from.
In any case, the Basilica Cistern is a pretty amazing and highly touristic spot – come as early as possible!
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Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul: Ortaköy Mosque
Ortaköy Mosque (also called the Mecidiye Mosque) is one of the most beautiful places in Istanbul, a magnificent mosque built in 1856 in Baroque architecture.
It is located on the shore of the Bosphorus and was built by the famous architect Nigogos Balyan as an incredible example that portrays what represents the Ottoman period.
On the inside, there are lovely high ceilings with beautiful windows and hanging crystal chandeliers. Around golden hour, the Ortaköy Mosque is another one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, with reflections on the water and beautiful sunray colors.
Trust that you will have lots of people doing the same as you, to have a chance to capture the beautiful Turkish sunset while posing for a cute Instagram picture with both the Bosphorus Bridge and the Mosque in the frame.
So if you prefer to go and try your luck a bit earlier you might just save yourself a good spot!
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18 Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul & Hidden Gems
And this concludes our guide to the most instagrammable places in Istanbul, with a few hidden gems and some of the most colorful places in the city!
Hopefully, you’ll have found here a lot of places you hadn’t thought of, and are ready to plan your trip to Turkey!
Until next time!