First time in Istanbul? Unmissable places to visit in this city in Türkiye

A unique and vibrant city that invites you to dive into history. Istanbul, in Turkey, displays its charms between two continents and fascinates with the movement of its streets, markets, bridges, monuments, mosques, palaces and its emblematic views of the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn.

Considered one of the most visited cities in the world, it has so many attractions that promises to surprise every time you travel.

In addition to the always captivating peatonal Istiklal, la plaza Taksim, la bella Torre de Gálatathe stores overflowing with finallythe tempting local sweet… the proposals multiply in each neighborhood that one visits.

Here, 9 not to be missed for those arriving for the first time…and also for those who already know and want to visit some attractions again.

A historic building –the most famous silhouette of the city– that mixes history and architecture in the heart of Istanbul.

It was born as an Orthodox temple and was Catholic during the brief Latin patriarchate of Constantinople, in the 13th century, and a mosque from 1453 to 1935. It was later transformed into a museum. Since 2020 it began to function again as a mosque.

It stands out for its imposing domeits walls of centuries-old mosaics that invite you to a journey through time, the panels adorned with calligraphy and bronze lamps.

An old castle that was the residence of ottoman sultansand currently evokes centuries of imperial grandeur in the city center.

Its visitors come attracted by its gardens, its spectacular views to the Bosphorus and its rich past shown in the mix of designs with decorative elements of European, Islamic and Ottoman styles.

The museum exhibits from relics sacred to clothing that reflects the luxury with which the Ottoman emperors lived.

A magnificent architectural work also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

The construction dates back to the 18th century, by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa.

It stands out for its beautiful blue and white tiles that cover the walls. And its interior patio with marble arches.

It is used for worship and is also open to visitors.

It is the largest of all the mosques in Istanbul. It was built between 1550 and 1557 and is considered one of the greatest achievements of Suleiman I, “The Magnificent”: it stood out for its military conquests, social reforms and diplomacy.

The mosque is surrounded by gardens, tombs of sultans and some views of the city.

The also called “Submerged Cistern” -because it is underground- was built as a hydraulic structure in ancient times to be able to access the water more easily.

It is often called the “Palace Basilica” because it has more than 300 marble columns and a palatial appearance.

It is the largest of the 60 cisterns built in the city of Istanbul.

Was built in 1452by order of Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror, in the narrowest part of the European side of the Bosphorus.

The location was strategic to prevent the passage of the Byzantine troops.

The imposing main towers still stand, joined by crenellated walls and supported by six smaller towers.

After the conquest of Constantinople, this fortress lost its strategic role and became a prison.

In 1953 it was restored and became a large open air museum and the scene of cultural events, such as the Istanbul Music Festival.

Considered the largest covered market in the world, It has more than 550 years of history and more than 4,000 stores, 64 avenues and streets, and 16 patios.

More than 20,000 people work here.

Built by order of Sultan Mehmed II in 1461in this market there are of everythingfrom leather, jewelry, lamps or hookahs to cheap watches and soccer jerseys.

Also called Egyptian Market because in other times spices were brought from Egypt.

Currently it is a tourist market in which stalls offer teas, coffees and sweets and, of course, all the spices imaginable.

There are dried fruits, huge piles of walnuts, chestnuts and almonds and finallythe typical local sweets.

• How much does it cost. Turkish Airlines flies from Buenos Aires to Istanbul. Ticket for the end of November, from US$ 1,587 per person, round trip. If one chooses to travel to Rome by Turkish, for example, the flight costs US$1,476. And if you fly to Rome with a 1-day stopover in Istanbul, the ticket costs US$1,351.

• Programs to visit Istanbul. The airline offers two programs to its passengers. Touristanbul It is for those who have a stopover of at least six hours: a free tour with a guide. Stopover: up to two nights of free stay in hotels associated with the airline to get to know the city.