Sitting on the banks of the Bosphorus with a skyline studded by minarets and ancient towers, Istanbul’s spectacular geographical location makes it one of the world’s most photogenic cities. Its staggering wealth of attractions doesn’t hurt either; from the Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia to the city walls, and the domes and minarets of the Ottoman mosques to the bustling streets of the city’s vibrant, hip neighbourhoods, Istanbul is a photographer’s dream and a place that is guaranteed to liven up your Instagram feed.
The Colourful Houses of Balat
Historically home to Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox and Jewish neighborhoods, Balat has recently become one of the city’s most popular Instagram locations thanks to its dilapidated-yet-colourful old houses and hidden churches that line its hilly streets.
These historic wooden homes are over 200-years-old in some cases and are amongst the most photographed buildings in the city. Due to the neighbourhood’s recent popularity, it is quickly becoming gentrified with a host of cool cafes and boutiques lining the few narrow lanes closest to the waterfront. It’s easy to while away a whole afternoon or even day here, wandering between cafes and photographing the cute streets and murals that have appeared here over the last few years.
The district fairly hidden, away from most of the city’s main tourist sights, on the shores of Eminönü along the Golden Horn. The best way to reach it is by taking the bus from Eminönü along the coastal road. The colourful houses can be found on Kiremit street.
Grand Bazaar
Istanbul’s chaotic and vibrant Grand Bazaar has been entralling visitors ever since it was first constructed by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461. Considered to be the world’s first shopping mall, the bazaar started as a small warehouse but has since grown into a sprawling, labrynthine maze of buildings, alleyways, and over 4,000 stalls selling everything from clothing to the tackiest of souvenirs.
Peek through doorways to discover hidden treasure troves of shimmering tea sets, sparkling lanterns and piles of carpets, or wander down passages to see artisans at work. Around every corner you will find something new to photograph.
However, most Instagrammers visit to capture a shot of themselves in a carpet or lantern shop. It’s worth noting that many of these stalls have ‘no photography’ signs or ask you to pay a small fee to conduct a photoshoot amongst their wares. Be respectful when taking photographs inside shops – this is someones workplace afterall. If you must do it, perhaps buy an item from the shopkeeper as a thank you.
Where: Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22
When: Monday to Saturday 9am – 7pm; Closed Sunday
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Spice Bazaar
Rows upon rows of vividly coloured spices are lined up alongside displays of eye-catching turkish delight and sweet treats in this seductively scented ottoman era marketplace. This building in Eminönü has been selling herbs, fruits, and spices since the 17th century and nowadays, you will find it packed with shoppers and vendors. It’s the perfect place to get close-up photographs of the magnificent array of traditional Turkish treats.
Where: Rüstem Paşa, Erzak Ambarı Sok. No:92
When: Monday to Saturday 8am – 7pm; Sunday 9.30am – 7pm
Hagia Sophia
With such a complex and elegant design, it’s hard to believe that the Hagia Sophia is almost 1,500 years old. Originally a Greek Orthodox Christian Basilica that has since been used as both a Roman Catholic cathedral and later an Ottoman imperial mosque, the Hagia Sophia was the largest building in the world until it was knocked off the top spot by Seville Cathedral.
Now a museum, the Hagia Sophia is open to the public and you can capture wonderful photos of the low hanging chandeliers against the backdrop of the buildings enormous windows and the ornate ceiling. However, for the best photos, visit the first floor where you can a full view of the Hagia Sophia’s interior. Make sure to stop by the second-floor windows where you will get a vantage point over to the minarets of the Blue Mosque with the Hagia’s smaller domes in the foreground.
Where: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı
When: Daily 9am – 5pm. Arrive earlier to beat the crowds as the museum can become very busy with queues snaking across the nearby square.
Entry fee: 72 TL
The Courtyard of the Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, is one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Built between 1603 and 1617 by Sultan Ahmet, the Blue Mosque was the first built outside of Mecca to be constructed with 6 minarets.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its nickname is derived from the hand-painted blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior. While the inside of the Mosque is stunning and well worth a visit in itself, most instagram shots are taken in the courtyard of the mosque, the largest of all the Ottoman mosques. As the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s busiest tourist attractions, I recommend arriving early to achieve the perfect photo without too many people in the background.
Where: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7
When: The Mosque is open from sunrise to sunset each day, however, it is closed to visitors (non-worshippers) during the 6 daily prayer times.
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Süleymaniye Mosque
In a city that isn’t short on beautiful mosques, it can take a lot to stand out. However, Süleymaniye Mosque, standing on one of the city’s seven hills, dominates both the Golden Horn and Istanbul’s skyline. Commissioned by Süleyman I and built between 1550 and 1557, it was the fourth Imperial Mosque built in the city, and was the largest in Istanbul until the construction of the Çamlıca Republic Mosque.
While the interior of the mosque may not be as extravagant as some of the others in the city, the courtyard is much less busy than the nearby Blue Mosque, meaning you will be able to get some perfect Instagram shots without the crowds. The panoramic views across the Golden Horn are perfectly Insta-worthy as well.
Where: Süleymaniye Mah, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:1
The Rooftop of Kubbe
Just a few short years ago, Kubbe Istanbul was a cute little café and art gallery near to the city’s Spice Bazaar that had one of the best views of the city. It was peaceful and uncrowded – a veritable hidden gem.
Unfortunately, the café is now gone, leaving just a bare rooftop where Instagrammers and photographers gather to get one of the most popular photos of Istanbul. Turkish carpets and patterned cushions are laid out along the floor with ornamental fruit-filled platters and glasses of Turkish tea as props while seagulls dart above your head and the city stretches out below you. It all sounds idillic, however, the photo comes with a price. I was told by a friend that they paid 50 TL to hang out on the rooftop with unlimited glasses of tea and coffee, however, it seems Kubbe’s new owners have caught on to just how popular their location is and have recently upped their price to 100 TL, minus the free drinks.
Don’t get me wrong, if you want the perfect photo of Istanbul for your Instagram feed, this is the place to come, but be warned that the owners of the rooftop have a steady stream of patrons waiting to shoot and will rush you through the process while charging you a fortune for it. If you just want a photo of the view without the carpets and fruit platters, it’s possible to head up to the viewpoint and capture a quick snap before you’re gauged for money by the owners.
Kubbe is just a 15-minute walk from the Eminonu ferry port or a 5-minute walk from the Spice Bazaar. It can be found on Google Maps, so just follow your phone’s directions.
Where: Mercan, Nasuhiye Sk. 19/1
Price: A hefty 100 TL
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Ortaköy Mosque
Sitting at the tip of Ortaköy, which literally means ‘the village in the middle’, this elegant baroque-style mosque is one of the few in the city that is located on the water’s edge.
Ortakoy Mosque, or Mecidiye Mosque, was built between 1853-1855 by famed architect Nigogos Balyan and represents the finest example of late Ottoman period architecture. While the high windows and hanging crystal chandeliers in bright interior mean a look inside is essential, the mosques position beside the modern Bosphorus Bridge, aka Bridge of the Martyrs, mean that you can capture stunning photo with both in frame, illustrating Istanbul’s ‘old meets new’ character.
Where: Mecidiye, Mecidiye Köprüsü Sk. No:1
When: The mosque is open daily between 9am and 6pm, but closed during prayer times
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Galata Tower
Built in the 14th century, the cylindrical Galata Tower was the tallest structure in the city for centuries, dominating the skyline and standing watch over the ‘new’ city north of the Golden Horn.
While the narrow streets surrounding the tower make it fairly difficult to get the entire building in shot, you can get a great photo of it rising above the jumble of Galata’s buildings from the Sultanahmet side of the Galata Bridge. Alternatively, the nearby Snog Rooftop bar is the perfect place to capture the tower silhouetted by golden skies at sunset.
Although the tower itself offers 360-degree views across Istanbul, the winding queues and entry fee may mean that it’s not worth your time to climb it.
Where: Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi, 34421
When: Daily 9am – 10pm
Entry Fee: 35 TL
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Sunset at Galata Bridge
With Galata Tower rising over the buildings of the river’s northern bank in one direction and the minarets of Suleymaniye Mosque silhouetted by the orange sky in the other, the Galata Bridge is the perfect place to hang out as the sun sets over Istanbul.
The view over the minaret-studded skyline of the Golden Horn is one of the most iconic photography spots in Istanbul. Even if you’re not coming here to take pictures, the local fisherman dangling their lines over the railing of the bridge alongside the street food sellers and people hanging out make it an atmospheric location to spend the early evening.
SALT Galata
Housed in the former headquarters of the Imperial Ottoman Bank in Karaköy, the building that is now Salt is home to a specialist arts research library and exhibition space, bookshop, cafe and restaurant that offers views over to Süleymaniye Mosque.
Really though, the reason to come is the architecture. Originally designed by Alexandre Vallaury in 1892 and cleverly adapted by local architectural firm Mimarlar Tasarım, the institution’s beautiful white arches and checkerboard floor make it perfect for a few instagram shots.
Where: Azapkapı, Bankalar Cd. No:11
When: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 7pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Dolmabahçe Palace
The former administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire, Dolmabahçe Palace is a building that certainly embraces the more is more aesthetic. Sitting on the shores of the Bosphorus, the Dolmabahçe Palace (dolma bahçe meaning ‘filled-in garden’) was constructed by Sultan Abdul Mecit I on the spot where his predecessors filled in a cove to create a royal park.
Architects Nikogos and Garabad Balyn eschewed the usual Ottoman palace architecture for a more European look, with the aim of impressing anyone that set their eyes upon it. The interior was created by the same designer as the Paris Opera, which explains its extravagance.
However, if it’s Instagram shots that you’re after, the luxurious palace grounds with their ornate imperial gates, clock tower and views over the Bosphorus provide the best backdrop.
It is worth noting that visitor numbers are limited to 3000 per day, so it is worth arriving early.
Where: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş
When: Tuesday to Sunday 9am – 4pm; Closed Monday
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Istiklal Street
Istiklal Street, running through the heart of Taksim and Beyoğlu, is notoriously Istanbul’s busiest pedestrianised street, comparable to Oxford Street in London or 5th Avenue in New York. While this may not scream ‘photogenic’ in the traditional sense of the word, there are plenty of opportuinities to get snapping.
Most notably is the iconic, vintage tram that winds its way down İstiklal from Taksim square a few times each hour, providing you with a classic photograph of street life in Istanbul. Otherwise, keep an eye out for the street food vendors and their little red carts that will give you ample chance to practise your street photography.
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Karaköy
Once the reserve of tradesmen’s workshops and fishermen, this waterfront district on the north side of İstanbul’s Galata Bridge was long considered to be one of the city’s grittier neighbourhoods. Nowadays, the unstoppable tide of gentrification has made its way to this small corner of Beyoğlu and, while the workshops and haberdasheries remain, they now sit alongside cool cafes, independent boutiques and pop-up galleries on the quarter’s narrow, winding streets.
The best places to photograph can all be found on the grid of streets between Necatibey Cd. and the waterfront, where dilapidated buildings have been restored to their former glory by a younger generation of entrepreneurs and residents to create a hub of great cafes and restaurants. Karabatak, a former metal workshop that is now an incredibly insta-worthy coffee and brunch spot is the perfect place to stop for a coffee in photogenic surroundings, while the colourful, umbrella-covered Hoca Tahsin Street is dotted with fantastic graffiti and cool cafes.
Although Karakoy is vibrant during the day, the area really comes alive at night when the vines hanging over the narrow lanes are illuminated with strings of fairly lights and the candlelit tables spill out of the bars onto the cobbled streets.
Topkapi Palace
Once the home of Sultans, concubines, and courtiers, Topaki Palace was the political centre of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. There is the stunning Imperial Gate, the sprawling compound containing opulent pavillions, an intricately tiled harem, beautiful coutyards and a jewel filled treasury. While the colourful rooms provide a stunning backdrop for photos, the on-site cafe also offers wonderful views out over the Bosphorus.
Where: Cankurtaran, 34122
When: Wednesday to Monday 9am – 6pm
Entry fee: 72 TL
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2 Responses
Thank you for giving the specific street names!!! Heading out to Turkey in 4 days, really appreciate it!
Very informative. Thank you