The Atlas Obscura Guide To Istanbul

49 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

Updated April 10, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Istanbul

336 ancient columns

Istanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Bird palace.

Istanbul, Turkey

Ottoman Bird Palaces

The ornate miniature mansions were built for Istanbul's feathered residents.

Tombili.

Istanbul, Turkey

Tombili

A meow-velous tribute to a beloved street cat, made famous on the internet.

“Halfdan carved these runes.”

Istanbul, Turkey

Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

Inside the tomb of Sultan Selim II

Istanbul, Turkey

Tombs of the Sultans

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

Obelisk of Theodosius

Istanbul, Turkey

Obelisk of Theodosius

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.

Istanbul, Turkey

Minyatür’s Nautical Instruments

Turkish adventurer antiques in the heart of the Grand Bazaar.

Put your thumb into the hole rotating it and your wish will be fulfilled.

Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia Wishing Column

Legend says if you stick your thumb in the hole and it gets wet, your wish will be granted.

See All 49 Things To Do in Istanbul

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Istanbul

A bulletin board at the Pudding Shop.

Istanbul, Turkey

Pudding Shop (Lale Restaurant)

This crucial gathering spot along the "hippie trail" still displays old notes between traveling beatniks and backpackers.

View of Golden Horn at Pierre Loti Hill.

Istanbul, Turkey

Pierre Loti Hill

Have tea in a cemetery with a dazzling view of Istanbul.

Islak, or “wet,” hamburgers are traditionally a late-night food.

Istanbul, Turkey

Bar at Biz Istanbul

Eat your way through history.

While the büryan kebabi are the stars of the show here, but the menu is full of other gems.

Istanbul, Turkey

Siirt Şeref Büryan

Come for the whole sides of slow-roasted lamb, stay for the regional Kurdish specialties.

See all 10 Places to Eat in Istanbul

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Architecture 11

Restaurants 10

Food 6

History 6

Museums 5

Churches 4

Sacred Spaces 4

Unique Restaurants & Bars 3

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wants to go to Kanaat Lokantasi
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wants to go to Golden Horn Chain
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wants to go to Istanbul 2461
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wants to go to Piri Reis Map at Topkapi Palace
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Stories About Istanbul

Feast on endless meze at Inciralti Meyhanesi.

Gastro Obscura's Essential Places to Eat and Drink in Istanbul

Author and part-time Istanbul resident Anya von Bremzen shares where to find goat's milk ice cream, slow-roasted lamb, and more.

by Anya von Bremzen

Podcast: Ottoman Bird Palaces

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

Podcast: Museum of Innocence

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

By the beginning of June, sea snot was thick off the coast of Turkey.

What in the World Is Sea Snot?

And why is it fouling the coast around Istanbul?

by Jessica Leigh Hester

Podcast: Basilica Cistern

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

The figures of Karagöz and Hacivat, on display inside Özek’s theatre in Istanbul, appear in every shadow theater performance.

Istanbul's Master of Puppets Is on a Mission to Save an Ancient Art

From his tiny studio, Cengiz Özek finds new ways to keep this Ottoman era tradition alive.

by Demetrios Ioannou

One of the best preserved charity stones in Istanbul, outside the İmrahor Mosque in the Üsküdar district.

The Forgotten Stones That Still Inspire Turks to Help Their Neighbors

A tradition of anonymous charity lives on in the age of COVID-19.

by Jennifer Hattam

August 24, 2020

Pretty, bad for historic walls.

Invasive, Photogenic Plants Are Taking a Toll on Istanbul’s Ancient Walls

One researcher is recommending a zero-tolerance policy.

by Jonathan Carey

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