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Best Things to do in Istanbul (2026)

Some of the best experiences in Istanbul happen between the monuments. The Grand Bazaar, closed on Sundays, is a maze of covered streets where carpets, lamps and jewellery sit beside workshops in old courtyard inns, and the walk downhill through the market streets leads naturally to the Spice Bazaar at Eminönü. Go on a weekday morning for both, and leave time for the shops around the edges of the Spice Bazaar, where many residents do their own shopping.

For something slower, book a session at Çemberlitaş Hamamı, a 16th-century bath open from early morning until midnight, or watch the whirling dervish ceremony at the Hodjapasha Culture Centre in Sirkeci, held every evening at 19:00 in a converted hamam. Balat and Fener, on the Golden Horn, reward a half day of wandering through steep lanes of painted houses, churches and synagogues; reach them by Golden Horn ferry and combine them with the Kariye Mosque uphill. Comfortable shoes are essential for all of these, as Istanbul's old streets are steep and often cobbled.

5 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Istanbul

  1. Grand Bazaar Covered market, BeyazıtOne of the world's oldest covered markets, begun in the 1450s, with 61 vaulted streets of carpet, jewellery, ceramics and textile shops.
  2. Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) Covered market, EminönüThe 17th-century L-shaped market beside the New Mosque in Eminönü, with around 85 shops selling spices, dried fruit, Turkish delight, tea and nuts.
  3. Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Ceremony Whirling dervish ceremony, SirkeciA nightly sema ceremony of the whirling dervishes staged in a restored 15th-century double hamam in Sirkeci, with Turkish dance shows on selected evenings.

Thing to do

1. Grand Bazaar

Covered marketBeyazıt

One of the world's oldest covered markets, begun in the 1450s, with 61 vaulted streets of carpet, jewellery, ceramics and textile shops.

View details — Grand Bazaar

Thing to do

5. Balat and Fener

Historic neighbourhood walkBalat

Two historic Golden Horn neighbourhoods of colourful houses, synagogues and churches, including the iron-built Bulgarian St Stephen Church and Ahrida Synagogue.

View details — Balat and Fener