Free Things To Do In Istanbul

While most people assume that Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey, it is in fact just a major city and is not actually the capital.

However, that doesn’t make it any less of a reason to visit and Istanbul is absolutely teeming with unique hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered.

We’ve compiled a list of the best free attractions in Istanbul, as well as the top paid activities in Istanbul to help you plan your trip!

Free Attractions in Istanbul

Top Rated Istanbul Attractions

Free

Blue (Sultanahmet) Mosque

The Blue Mosque is without a doubt one of the best things to see and do in Istanbul and best of all; it’s completely free!

The impressive mosque is not only a religious place of worship, but it also serves as a tourist attraction to help educate people on the Muslim faith within Istanbul.

Pay attention to the 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles that punctuate the décor of the Blue Mosque, as well as the 200+ stained glass...

Istanbul Super Saver: Small-Group City Sightseeing Tour plus Turkish Dinner and Show

clock Duration: 12 hours
  • Travellers can sit down for a traditional four-course Turkish dinner with music and belly dancing during this tour.
  • A chance for travellers to see the architectural relics of different styles from the different eras such as the European, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empire, found in the streets of Istanbul in recent
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Free

Yildiz Park

For a peaceful and tranquil haven away from the busy city streets, but somewhere that’s still very well centrally located, head to Yildiz Park.

Yildiz is situated right in the heart of Istanbul, but it’s still far enough removed to not be overtly busy. You can enjoy plenty of beautiful wildlife and scenery inside Yildiz Park.

It’s a top free attraction in Istanbul that’s ideal for couples who want a nice...

Skip the Line: Hagia Sophia Museum Admission Ticket with English Speaking Guide

clock Duration: 45 minutes
  • A trip where the travellers get to see one of the world's most visited museums, the Hagia Sophia, with its stunning gold mosaics which date back to the Byzantine times.
  • A tour that helps the travellers get an idea about the museum and the treasures that it holds.
  • Other than this, the travellers also get to experience and
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Free

Grand Bazaar

Construction began on the Grand Bazaar all the way back in 1455 and ever since it’s been a central hub in Istanbul for all things culture and cuisine.

The market is home to more than 40,000 stalls and over 66 streets so you can easily spend hours, if not days exploring everything that it has to offer!

Just being within the Grand Bazaar’s atmosphere is an absolute delight in itself; you don’t even need to buy...

Whirling Dervish Ceremony: Go on a Spiritual Journey

clock Duration: 1 hour
  • This is a stunning 1.5-hour whirling dervish performance in Istanbul where the travellers enjoy a drink and some Turkish delight as the show starts
  • They are also allowed to watch the UNESCO-listed ceremonial dance inside the Hodjapasha Dance Theater that makes the travellers captivated as the semazens dance and chant their way around
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Free

Bomonti Flea Market

While the Bomonti Flea Market is only open on Sundays, it’s even more of a reason to prioritise a visit here if you’ll be in Istanbul over the weekend.

It’s not quite as big as the Grand Bazaar, but you’ll still find over 200 stalls selling everything from clothing, jewellery and watches, to vintage cameras and electronics.

Bomonti Flea Market is an absolute treasure trove of hidden trinkets and gems and...

Hagia Sophia Highlights Tour and Audio Guide App

clock Duration: 1 hour
  • Travellers have an opportunity to avail VIP passes to vist the Hagia Sophia without any restrictions, thanks to this tour.
  • A tour that helps the travellers learn more about the museum and the treasures that it holds, especially for those who seek mystery.
  • Other than this, the travellers also get to experience and explore the
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Free

Zülfaris Synagogue Jewish Museum of Turkey

The Zülfaris Synagogue, or the Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews as it’s also often known as, is a museum dedicated to the Sephardi Jews where you can learn all about their lives in Turkey.

The original Synagogue dates all the way back to 1671 but it was closed down in 1985 due to the lack of community support and is now a reputable museum.

One thing that makes this particular free attraction in...

Topkapi Palace Highlights Tour with Audio Guide App

clock Duration: 1 hour
  • This a trip card available to the tourists which allows them to visit multiple places in the same tour.
  • With a tour card, one can visit the gorgeous Topkapi Palace, where they can also visit some of the restricted areas.
  • A trip where travellers are allowed to explore the various portions of the palace and take photographs
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Free

Misir Çarsisi

Another incredible free attraction in Istanbul that’s sure to delight your senses is the Misir Çarsisi spice market.

Here you’ll find an array of different worldly spices, sweets, nuts and fruits, all with overwhelmingly strong scents that are sure to clear your sinuses!

A trip to Misir Çarsisi doesn’t have to result in a purchase; just walking through the many stalls and admiring all the bright...

Best of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Baslica Cistern

clock Duration: 2 to 4 hou
  • A trip card available to the tourists allows the travellers to visit multiple places.
  • Apart from being able to visit multiple tourist attractions, this VIP card also enables the tourists to visit restricted portions of various sites.
  • One of the major tourist attractions, the Basilica Cistern, is open for all the travellers.
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SEA LIFE Istanbul General Admission

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • Looking for family attractions and things to do in Istanbul? Visit Istanbul SEA LIFE ?stanbul, located in Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall and home to an exciting collection of sea creatures. With an amazing 83m long underwater Ocean Tunnel, 270 degree panoramic viewing Sea Bed, 21 themed zones with 47 display tanks and more than 15,000 sea creatures,...read more

TopKapi Ticket Istanbul with Audio Tour

clock Duration: 2 hours 30
  • Discover the history and the legends of Topkapi with a skip-the-line e-ticket and an engaging self-guided audio tour on your phone. Receive your ticket by email, download the app and the audio tour on your phone, prior to your visit, and admire the main residence of Ottoman rulers for about 400 years and the political center of the empire....read more

Skip the Line:Isfanbul Theme Park Day Trip from Istanbul with Transfer included

clock Duration: 420 to 450
  • Enjoy hours of thrills and fun at Vialand, Turkey’s one-and-only theme park-shopping complex, on this day trip from Istanbul! Ride white-knuckle rollercoasters, feel your heart pound on high-speed rides, get soaked on splash-filled rivers, and slow things down for the little ones with carousels, playgrounds, mini-car circuits and more. Add...read more

Golden Horn and Bosphorus Boat Tour in Istanbul

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • A day-long trip which includes a boat cruise on the Bosphorous River, and a cable car ride up to Pierre Loti Hill.
  • The tourists can catch a glimpse of exciting sites and view some of the most mesmerising landmarks of Istanbul
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Princes' Islands Tour from Istanbul

clock Duration: 7 hours
  • A trip where the travellers are able to escape the busy streets of Istanbul for a full-day excursion to the spectacular Princes Islands
  • This is a trip where the travellers get a chance to cruise past the Topkapi Palace, the Leanders Tower and the Uskudar, then glide across the Marmara Sea to reach the islands of Heybeliada and
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show (All Inclusive)

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • An all-inclusive dinner cruise that takes place in Istanbul
  • A tour that includes a Turkish night show and provides live entertainment
  • A tour that also includes live dance and DJ performances
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Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show in Istanbul (Non-Alcoholic)

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • A dinner cruise tour in Turkey
  • The various live shows are the special attractions of this tour,
  • A tour where travellers get to watch the beautiful sunset over the Bosphorus strait and enjoy the night lights of the city.
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