-Istanbul-
The most Instagrammable Places

Istanbul, The City of Contrasts, the city over two continents, the place where East meets West ….there are so many ways to name this city….but for sure it is a city where you can’t get bored. And one thing that I want to mention about this city is that according to Wikipedia this town has 15.46 million people, but in reality over 20 million people live here. So, if you plan a trip to Istanbul I advise you to choose public transport to visit the city because is the most affordable and you will save a lot of time from traffic jams ( which is usual in this big city). First you have to buy a Istanbul Kart (cost 25 TL non-refundable) from the special ticket offices and charge it with money for transport ( a tram ride costs around 7 TL for person). If you travel in a group, you can use the same card for up to 5 passengers. This single card enables you to pay for multiple types of transportation: buses, metros, ferries, funiculars, and tramways….also nostalgic tram running on Istiklal Caddesi. So get ready for a lots of photos because Istanbul has so many instagrammable places.

# 1 Istiklal Street

Working hours: runs from 07:00 to 22:00 every 45-50 minutes on schedule.

Location : Istiklal Caddesi Street

The nostralgic tram is located in Beyoğlu (Pera) district and is one of the most instragrammable spots in Istanbul. You will find this tram on Istiklal Caddesi Street, a famous 3 km pedestrian street full of fashion boutique, cafes, restaurants, kebaps, exchanges, farmacy, markets and also you can find here Kumpir, the famous giant potato. If you want to make a ride with the nostalgic tram remember that you can use the Istanbu Kart.

And also take note that Istiklal Street is the busiest street in Istanbul, so it will be quite complicated to take a photo without houndreds of people near you…we tried to wake up early for a photo session.

#2 Galata Tower

Working hours : from 08:30 to 23:00

Location : Beyoglu district

Near Istiklal Street you will find another famous spot in Istanbul:Galata Tower. Here you can enjoy a coffee at one of the restaurants or you can visit the top of Galata Tower. If you plan the last one, take note that you can buy the tickets from the red tram shop located in front of Galata Tower.

#3 Karakoy Istanbul/Umbrella Street

Location : Hoca Tahsin Sk. No:14, next to Ben’den Karaköy bar

Before or after visiting Galata Tower, I recommend you to visit the streets of the charming and funky Karakoy. If you plan a visit here in other day you can easily get here with the tram T1 who stops right behind Karakoy neighborhood.Here you will find that famous spot with a lot of umbrellas. Karaköy is also currently one of the best places to be in Istanbul at night, because of the clubs.

#4 Dolmabahçe Palace

Working hours : from 9 AM to 4 PM, closed on monday

Location : Besiktas district, Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey

Dolmabahce Palace built in 19 th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. You can easy get to Dolmabahçe Palace by tram – on line 1 to Kabatas istasyonu and after walk a couple of minutes. I choose to visit this fabulous place on the morning, hoping to be less crowded . When I get there, I was surprised to see a lot of people waiting at the check entrance, even it it was 9AM…but I was lucky because all those people get inside to visit the Palace…so I recommend you to visit the garden first, and after the Palace.Entrance fee is 60 TL for the Regular Palace visit- just museum and gardens. I was a little bit dissapointed because the main white gate was in restoration, and the acces to that part of the garden was restricted for visitors ( it’s about April 2022) . Overall, there is another white gate where you can take nice photos . If you plan to visit Dolmabahce Palace in the morning, like I did, take note that inside the garden is a café where you can enjoy a coffee and a delicious cake .

#5 Ortaköy Mosque

Location : Mecidiye, Mecidiye Köprüsü Sk. No:1 D:1, 34347 Beşiktaş

After you’ve visited Dolmabahçe Palace, take the bus to the next #instagrammable place in Istanbul : Ortaköy Mosque.Situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus, Ortaköy Mosque is a must see place for nice pictures. Here you will find some restaurants and also the famous Kumpir. Also, from here you can take a cruise on the Bosphorus.

To get to Ortakoy by public transport, take a 40, 40T or 42T bus from Taksim, or from Kabatas (near Dolmabahçe Palace ), you can take the the 22, 22RE or 25E bus.

#6 Fener & Balat neighborhoods

Location : Balat Mahallesi, Kiremit Cd. No:28, 34087 Fatih

Balat is one of my two favourite neighborhoods in Istanbul. There are many ways to get here Because we have the hotel near Istiklal Street, we choose to get here by bus 55T from Șișhane bus station until Fener bus station. But you can use Google Maps to find the best way to get here from your hotel. Once you will get here, you will be surrounded of a lot of colorful houses, colorful streets, restaurants, hand made souvenir shops… I love this place, it give me a positive vibe.If you want to take some pictures, I recommend you to visit this place in the morning, when it is so quiet. My route was directly to Kiremit Cd street, a very nice and colorful street with a lots of pictures spot. You can click here for exactly address (Usturumca Sokagi No. 2 – next to Kiremit Cd street). After that you can enjoy a coffee at Balat Antik Café, situated exactly near the famous colorful stairs. ( Merdivenli Mektep Sk. 8 ). All the streets in Balat had a lovely ambience and attractive architecture so if you want to discover more photo spots you just have to walk and explore. After that, you can enjoy a lunch on Vodina Cd., a street surrounded of restaurants.

Warning: once you will get in Balat neighborhood you have to take care because there are some strange people walking on the streets and pretend to lose his brush… you will pass by him and his brush will fall off just in front of you…. and if you tell him that his brush has fallen on the floor, he will follow you until you will let him clean your shoes and give him money this service.I saw a lot of people that were fooled, so take care.

Anterioară

Următoare

#7 Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

Location : Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih

After visiting Balat, we take the tram to the station named Sultanahmet . Here you can just walk around and also you can visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Blue Mosque. During the Ramadan the visiting schedule is different. And if you are looking for a place to eat I recommend you the restaurant from Seven Hills Hotel Rooftop, which also has a beautiful 360 degree view of all the neighbourhood. Also a place with a lot of restaurants at 10 minutes walking distance is Yerebatan Street.

#8 Gulhane Park

If you plan to visit Istanbul in spring, like we did, take note that in April there is a Tulip festival…I saw this on a google search before my trip, and also I discovered although it is often thought that the tulip comes from Holland, it was imported by the Turks in Europe during the Ottoman Empire and is also the symbol of the sultans. That’s amazing!…. so a walk in the park is a must see thing to do. I recommend you visit Gulhane Park, a park situated close to Blue Mosque and also surrounded of streets with restaurants&cafes.

#9 Taht Istanbul

Location: Süleymaniye Mah. Siyavuşpaşa Sok. Kurtel İş Hanı, D:No:14 D:301, 34116 Fatih

If you plan to come in Istanbul, for sure you will ask where all those pictures on the rooftops are taken….that’s so simple : TAHT Istanbul… a unique photo studio on the rooftop of a building, whitch has a lot of specific decorated rooms. There you can pay for photo shoots with your own equipment – phone or camera and you also have wardrobe to change and a waiting room if you come accompanied.