Top Places for Art and Cultural Activities in Istanbul

  1. Fenerbahce S.k.

    Light House, Restaurant, Neighborhoods

    Famous for its sports club Fenerbahce S.K, Fenerbahce is one of the popular neighbourhood areas of Istanbul. Located on the Asian side of the shore of Marmara, this place also houses a historic lighthouse located at the cape area. Indact, the name Fenerbahce means “lighthouse garden”. There are also a number of cool restaurants here to keep you entertained. Do take a stroll around t...Read more
  2. Column Of Constantine

    4.5 (72 Votes)
    Column Of Constantine

    Landmark, Historical Site, Architecture

    Also known as the burnt pillar, the Column of Constantine is an imposing structure that was constructed on the orders of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD. Located in Cemberlitas, this column exhibits a mix of pagan and Christian ceremonies in its architecture. Historically, the area around this column was the centre of the Forum of Constantine and is one of ...Read more
  3. Kilic Ali Pasha Complex

    4.7 (129 Votes)
    Kilic Ali Pasha Complex

    Mosque, Religious Site, Architecture

    Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque might be lesser known architectures of Mimar Sinan’s art but it still looks awe inspiring enough to be visited. This mosque was originally built over the sea and was commissioned by the eponymous Kilic Ali Pasha, an ambitious 16th century Italian privateer who converted to Islam, and was named Uluc Ali Reis. The one that we see today is situated well in land an...Read more
  4. Kucuksu Palace

    4.5 (36 Votes)
    Kucuksu Palace

    Museum, Palace, Architecture , Hall

    Built by Sultan Abdulmecit in the mid-19th century at Bagce-iGoksu along the Bosphorus Strait, the Kucuksu Pavilion is a beautiful place that deserves a visit by the virtue of its historicity. Kucuksu was built as a hunting lodge or a resting place for Sultans who used to stay here. The building exhibits the European style of architecture with its rooms and halls decorated with exquisite I...Read more
  5. Serpent Column

    4.5 (75 Votes)
    Serpent Column

    Historical Site, Architecture

    Serpent column is located in the Hippodrome area of Istanbul and is also known as the Delphi Tripod, or Plataean Tripod. This ancient bronze column looks magnificent and was built to commemorate the Greeks who fought and defeated the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC). Preserving the Greek and Roman antiquity at its best, this tripod looks stunning. Historically, this column has b...Read more
  6. Pammakaristos Church

    4.5 (175 Votes)
    Pammakaristos Church

    Church, Mosque, Religious Site

    Better known as the Pammakaristos Church, Fethiye Camii looks magnificent and beautiful with its Byzantine structure. Originally built as a church in the beginning of the 12th century, it was later on converted into a mosque after the name of Fethiye in order to commemorate the conquest of Georgia and Azerbaijan by the Ottomans under the reign of sultan Murad III during the ...Read more
  7. Bayezid I I Mosque

    4.7 (80 Votes)
    Bayezid I I Mosque

    Mosque, Religious Site, Architecture , Fountain

    Beyazit Mosque in Istanbul was built between 1501 and 1506 on the order of Beyazit II, son of Mehmet the Conqueror. As you look at this mosque, you will find a lot of similarities with Ana Sofya, that has been an inspirational model for it. Of utmost beauty is its use of fine stone that looks astonishing with marble, porphyry, antique and rare granite featuring. Its courtyard features 24 small ...Read more
  8. Salt Galata

    4.6 (23 Votes)
    Salt Galata

    Library, Food And Drinks, Cafe, Restaurant

    There is no second thought in the fact that Istanbul possesses a vibrant cultural scene for which it attracts people from all over the world. Salt Galata adds a lot to this scene. Housed in a magnificent 1892 bank building designed by Alexandre Vallaury and adapted by local architectural firm Mimarlar Tasarim, this site houses an exhibition space, an auditorium, an art research library, a cafe ...Read more
  9. Sadberk Hanim Museum

    4.6 (41 Votes)
    Sadberk Hanim Museum

    Art Museum, Museum, Architecture

    Established by the VehbiKoc Foundation in memory of VehbiKoc’s deceased wife Sadberk, this museum exhibits the Koc’s family’s heirloom collection of Ottoman art and furnishings apart from displaying the Anatolian antiquities and Islamic art. As for the building itself, it’s architecture is inspired by European vernacular traditions. Mad...Read more
  10. Istanbul University

    4.5 (182 Votes)
    Istanbul University

    Educational Site, Architecture , University

    Istanbul has always been in the centre of culture and revival of Knowledge. Istanbul University is one of the important educational institutes of Turkey that attracts students from all over the world. One of the earliest universities across the world, it was established in 1453 by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. At the time of its construction, this university was equivalent to Roman un...Read more
  11. Hagia Irene

    4.4 (232 Votes)
    Hagia Irene

    Church, Museum, Concert, Exhibition

    Translated as “Divine Peace”, the Hagia Irene Museum was originally built as a church in the 4th century AD over the ruins of a pagan temple by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine I. Restores ever since then again and again due to factors such as fire and earthquakes, this museum is still one of the attractions of Istanbul. This church was also used as an arsenal after the Conque...Read more
  12. Bucoleon Palace Hotel

    3.9 (168 Votes)
    Bucoleon Palace Hotel

    Hotel, View Point, Food And Drinks, Architecture

    Located just near the picturesque shore of Marmara Sea, the Bucolean Palace Hotel is more than just a place to stay. Built in Art Deco Style of architecture, this palace hotel is a pleasure to look at even if you don’t opt for a stay here. Located in the heart of the old city of Istanbul, this hotel is an important landmark that you must see for all its beauty and great location. And if y...Read more
  13. Dolmabahce Sanat Galerisi Image
    ©

    Art Gallery

    Dolmabahace Art gallery is a beautiful traditional Eastern art gallery inside the palace that has recently opened for the public. This gallery exhibits an insight into the contemporary art of miniature form of abstraction which is of great interest in the world art scene. Do visit this art gallery to witness the thriving cultural and literary scene of Istanbul.
  14. Olivium Outlet Center

    4 (34 Votes)
    Olivium Outlet Center

    Shopping Center, Architecture

    Over the years, the Olivium Outlet center has become one of the biggest outlets for shopping in Istanbul. This modern bustling place peeps through the historical architecture with which it is surrounded. Today, Olivium boasts of housing some of the best brands available in the town and is thus quite popular with the locals. It aims at offering brands at best prices. Do visit this mall whenever ...Read more
  15. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

    View Point, Bridge, Walking Area, Architecture

    Also called as the second Bosphorus Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is a must visit during your trip to Istanbul. Spanning across the beautiful and stunning Bosphorus strait, this bridge is the 19th longest suspension bridge in the world. It has been named after the 15th-century Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who conquered the Byzantine capital, Constantino...Read more