Things to do in Istanbul

1,255 activities, venues and outings in Istanbul, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 1,255.

Photo: VikiPicture, CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

DoTheme parkGolden Horn
Vialand
The only theme park of the city has a good selection of rides, including a couple of rollercoasters.
Daily 11:00-20:00 (Summer: 11:00-21:00)US$55, under 3 free, discount for domestic visitors
DoParkNew City
Maçka Park
Maçka Parkı
This park occupies the sides of a valley of this "city of seven hills", with an avenue in the bottom. A 4-person gondola lift line is strung over it, offering a shortcut when walking between Beşiktaş and Taksim Square as well as nice views of the Bosphorus (access to the northern station from Maçka Cd and Eytam Cd, every 5 minutes 08:00-20:00, 1.50 TL pp one-way). There is also a wooden bridge over the bisecting avenue if you prefer to take a stroll through the park.
Free
DoPublic bathsHistorical Peninsula
Cağaloğlu Hamamı
Built in 1741, the last major hamam opened in the Ottoman era. It has ornate architecture, great service and a stellar cast of famous visitors. Prices to match, and only tourists now use it.
Daily 09:00-22:00From €70 per hour
DoHistorical Peninsula
Süleymaniye Hamamı
Commissioned by Süleyman the Magnificent and built by Mimar Sinan in 1550, at the east edge of Süleymaniye mosque complex. It had private cubicles for distinguished visitors such as the sultan, but was mostly a standard working-class bathhouse. It was restored in 2001 and is nowadays touristy. It's the only mixed hamam in Istanbul, but mixed sessions are only for couples and families.
Daily 10:00-21:3090 min for €75, cash only
DoPublic bathsHistorical Peninsula
Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
Bathhouse built in 1556 by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect, at the request of Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana), wife of Suleiman the Magnificent. It was built over the former public baths of Zeuxippus, abandoned around 713. Restored in 2011, it's now an upmarket spa.
Daily 08:00-22:0060 min €150
DoParkAsian Bosphorus
Nakkaştepe
A park right next to the Bosphorus Bridge. Comes with an unforgettable zipline experience.
DoSpaHistorical Peninsula
Şifa Hamamı
Established in 1777, this is one of the cheaper options. It's marble throughout and the fittings could be original. It has a mixed main section and a separate female section for the scrubbing.
Daily 09:00-23:00One hour €50
DoGolden Horn
Rami Library
19th century barracks serving as municipality library.
Open now · open 24 hoursWi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible
DoSpaGalata
Galataport
It includes the city's cruise ship terminal, around 250 shops, pubs and restaurants, a Peninsula hotel, the Istanbul Modern art museum, and other cultural and entertainment facilities; the complex also hosts festivals.
DoAsian Bosphorus
Üsküdar Musical Society
Üsküdar Musıkî Cemiyeti
Founded in 1918, the society is often considered the most respected of the social clubs offering classes in the classical Ottoman music, and catching up with their frequent public concerts is certainly a good way of entering the vast world of this genre.
DoPark
Taksim Gezi Park
Gezi Park is an urban park next to Taksim Square, in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district (historically known as Pera). It is one of the last green spaces in Beyoğlu and one of the smallest parks of Istanbul. In May 2013, plans to replace the park with a reconstruction of the former Taksim Military Barracks (demolished in 1940), intended to house a shopping mall, sparked the nationwide 2013 protests in Turkey.
DoPark
Yıldız Parkı
Yıldız Park (Turkish: Yıldız Parkı) is a historical, urban park in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the largest public parks in Istanbul. The park is located in Yıldız quarter between the palaces of Yıldız and Çırağan.
Closed · opens 8 am tomorrow
DoSile
Avcıkoru Nature Park
Small forest park with hiking trails, activities and barbecue area.
Daily 09:00-18:00Car 180TL plus 60 TL pp
DoAsian Bosphorus
Tarihi Çinili Hamamı
Turkish bath cheaper than the more touristy ones in the European side.
Daily 07:00-22:00 (men), 08:00-19:30 (women)
DoEastern Suburbs
Ataşehir Golf Club
It's only 9 holes, but one of the few golf clubs in the city.
DoGolden Horn
Cable car
Offers a very short ride (3 min) up the nearby hill. And it can get very crowded during summer.
Every 5 min 09:00-24:00The same price as in public transport, 2.6TL for IstanbulCard holders and 5TL for others
DoKadıköy
Fenerbahçe SK
They play soccer in Süper Lig, the top tier, and routinely qualify for European tournaments. There's also a museum of the club, which fields teams in several other sports such as basketball.
DoGalata
Haliçport
Also known as 'Tersane İstanbul'. Combines historic landmarks, blend of unique lifestyles and gastronomical delights, luxury homes and hotels, and a vibrant cultural calendar.
DoEastern Suburbs
Istanbul Park Circuit
Turkey's main motor-racing circuit. It next hosts a Grand Prix / Formula One race on 1-3 Oct 2027.
DoEastern Suburbs
Park of İstanbul
Small zoo, but it's the largest in Istanbul. Plus catchpenny sidelines such as the zipwire.
Adult 600 TL, child 450 TL
DoEastern Suburbs
Ülker Sports Arena
A multi-purpose arena for sports and concerts, owned by Fenerbahçe and home court of their basketball team. The museum displays their trophies.
DoAsian Bosphorus
Black Sea Coast
There's a string of small coastal resorts, from Poyrazköy just beyond the north Bosphorus bridge, through Anadolufenerli, Riva. Usual beach attractions, but the Black Sea is often rough so beware of the waves. There is also a big golf field, 'Mustafa V. Koç Course'.
DoAsian Bosphorus
Joshua's Hill
Believed to be the tomb of the biblical Joshua, it's the steepest hill in Istanbul which is closest to the sea.
DoWestern Suburbs
Kumburgaz
A charming coastal neighborhood, known for its sandy beaches, vibrant summer atmosphere, and stunning views. One of the few swimmable places in the Marmara Sea.
DoHistorical Peninsula Not mapped
Çemberlitaş Hamamı
Built in 1584, credited to Mimar Sinan but he probably only had light-touch supervision. It was astride the city's highway from Europe and very profitable, in spite of multiple earthquakes and fires. It fell out of use late 19th century but in the 21st was revived as a tourist experience.
Daily 07:30-22:30Adult about 2000 TL
DoZooGolden Horn
Istanbul Dolphinarium
Silahtarağa Mh, Silahtarağa Cd. No:20
DoPark
Gülhane Park
Gülhane Park (Turkish: Gülhane Parkı, "Rosehouse Park") is a historical urban park in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey; it covers an area of 9.7 ha, is adjacent to and on the grounds of the Topkapı Palace. The south entrance of the park sports one of the larger gates of the palace. It is the oldest and one of the most expansive public parks in Istanbul.
DoNew City Not mapped
Attend the Tataula Carnival
Baklahorani
Despite a 1943 ban on this Greek Orthodox pre-Lent carnival by the Turkish authorities, it has been revived since 2010. The tradition began in the 19th century or earlier, and even though the event was led by local Greeks, the celebrations were open to everyone. It's also a nice opportunity to look into Turkey's multicultural past. Takes place in the Kurtuluş (previously named Tataula) neighborhood.
Shrove Mon every year
DoWestern Suburbs Not mapped
Between Two Seas
İki Deniz Arası
A 60-km, 4-day hiking trail between the coasts of the Marmara and Black Seas across the rapidly changing outskirts of the city, passing through various urban, natural, historic, and industrial sites.
DoRural Not mapped
Between Two Seas
İki Deniz Arası
A 60-km, 4-day hiking trail between the coasts of the Marmara and Black Seas across the rapidly changing outskirts of the city, passing through various urban, natural, historic, and industrial sites.
DoWestern Suburbs Not mapped
The Sultan's Trail
A 2,500-km hiking and cycling trail stretching all the way to Vienna, retracing the campaign of Suleiman the Magnificent onto the Habsburg capital. It is not marked on the ground, but the GPS tracks are available through its website. In the east, it kicks off at the mausoleum of Suleiman in Istanbul's Old City, while to the west the next major town is Saray.
DoRural Not mapped
The Sultan's Trail
A 2,500-km hiking and cycling trail stretching all the way to Vienna, retracing the campaign of Suleiman the Magnificent onto the Habsburg capital. It is not marked on the ground, but the GPS tracks are available through its website. In the east, it kicks off at the mausoleum of Suleiman in Istanbul's Old City, while to the west the next major town is Saray.
DoCinemaKadıköy
Caddebostan Cultural Centre
CKM
This has a theatre and six-screen cinema.
DoCinemaHistorical Peninsula
Balat
A neighborhood with colorful houses and stairs all along.
DoTheatre
Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Açık Hava Tiyatrosu
The Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre is an open-air theatre located at Harbiye neighborhood of Şişli district in Istanbul, Turkey. It is situated across from the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center, and behind the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus on the European side of the city. As the city's most popular summertime outdoor venue, the theatre primarily hosts music concerts in various genres of local and international performers.
DoCinemaAsian Bosphorus
Emaar Square
Complex with a shopping centre, a skydeck and an aquarium.
DoTheatre
Haldun Taner Stage
Kadıköy Haldun Taner Stage (Turkish: Kadıköy Haldun Taner Sahnesi) is a theatre venue located in Kadıköy district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is owned by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and operated by its City Theatres (Şehir Tiyatroları) division. The theatre is named in honor of the Turkish playwright Haldun Taner (1915-1986).
Limited wheelchair access
DoTheatre
Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall
The Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall (Turkish: Cemal Reşit Rey Konser Salonu) is a concert hall located in the Harbiye neighbourhood of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the country's major concert halls, being the first one designed for classical music. Named after the Turkish composer Cemal Reşit Rey (1904–1985), the hall is owned by the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul and operated by its subsidiary, the Kültür company.
DoTheatre
Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Theater
Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage (Turkish: Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Sahnesi) is a theatre venue in the Harbiye neighborhood of Şişli district in Istanbul, Turkey. It is owned by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and operated by its City Theatres (Şehir Tiyatroları) division. The theatre is named in honor of the Turkish stage actor and director Muhsin Ertuğrul (1892-1979).
DoKadıköy
Bostancı Amusement Park
Amusement park and performance venue.
Mon-Fri 13:00-00:00, Sat Sun 11:00-00:00

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Istanbul (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).