All Turkey Istanbul

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Istanbul

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

Updated June 19, 2026
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Explore Istanbul, Turkey

Architecture 11
Restaurants 10
Food 6
History 6
Museums 5
Architectural Oddities 5
Mosques 5
Sacred Spaces 4

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Stories About Istanbul

The simplest Turkish delight can still come in a range of flavors and colors.

In Defense of Turkish Delight

This traditional sweet is actually pretty delightful.
by Anne Ewbank, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura

Podcast: Ottoman Bird Palaces

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura

Podcast: Museum of Innocence

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura

Podcast: Basilica Cistern

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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