25 best Istanbul photography spots: a complete guide

Find out the best Istanbul photography spots and photo opportunities. Go beyond the famous spots and discover the best areas to explore!

Nested between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is one of the few places in the world where you can start your day in one continent and go for lunch on another. History, tradition, and modernity make Istanbul a city that some love and some hate, but that leaves no one indifferent.

In this Istanbul photography spots guide, you will find the best places to photograph in Turkey’s largest city. Moreover, you will also learn which are the best areas for street photography and what unique photo opportunities the city offers.

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, and after reading the guide, you still have unanswered questions, you can schedule a 1-on-1 consulting call with me. While this list is complete, everyone has their own preferences, travel style and unique tastes. Plan your perfect trip with first-hand information by clicking on the link below!

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Istanbul photography guide FAQs:

Before diving deep into the best Istanbul photography spots, here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about travelling to Istanbul. All of them were written from a photographer’s perspective.

Is Istanbul worth visiting?

Yes, Istanbul is worth a visit. I’ve been to Istanbul twice, and it’s a city with which I have a love-hate relationship. I think it takes some time to love the city, but I understand people who can’t stop coming back to it.

It’s a city with a lot of history, many things to do, an amazing gastronomical offer, and that is undergoing enormous changes. Since I first visited until my last time there, Istanbul has changed a lot both in infrastructure and in the vibe of the city (society).

Regardless of whether you like it or not, I can say it’s a place that everyone should visit at least once. Its strategic position and its massive airport make it a very common layover location, and if you are flying with Turkish Airlines, they offer free hotel nights to those connecting in Istanbul.

Is Istanbul worth photographing?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, Istanbul is more photogenic than it is enjoyable to visit in my opinion. It’s a city that is so massive and so touristy that visiting it can feel overwhelming, but photographing it can be a great experience.

It’s a weird feeling that I have not felt in many other cities. Istanbul has photo opportunities for anyone, regardless of the photography style they like. Of course, it’s heaven for street photography, but also for seascapes, architecture, and even landscapes, if you get a bit away from the city, or if you like cityscapes.

However, it is not an easy city to photograph if you want to go beyond the main Istanbul photography spots. That’s why I have divided this guide into 3 sections. The first one with the obvious touristy photo spots, which are the easy places to photograph, and the other two with opportunities and street photo areas, which can be more challenging, but very rewarding if you get them right.

What gear do I need to photograph Istanbul?

This will depend on what type of photography you want to take. As in many cities, a wide-angle lens will be very useful. In Istanbul, with so many mosques, with tall minarets, and very wide interiors, going wide is almost a must. For street photography, the usual 35mm works perfectly.

If you enjoy taking more compressed photos, a good zoom will allow you to capture scenes from the different “islands” of the city, with the sea in between. A 55-200mm worked well for me, but this will depend on what you want to shoot.

Remember, though, that the gear is just part of the journey, and that creativity and persistence are key to taking great photos.

How many days are needed to visit and photograph Istanbul?

The quick answer is 3-5 days. But there’s a longer version to it. If you want to visit Istanbul and see all it has to offer, you could spend one or two weeks in the city, and you would still have things on your list.

In terms of photography, the more time you spend in the city, the more you will understand how it works, and you’ll feel part of it.

However, if it’s your first time in Istanbul, 3-5 days is the sweet spot, where you will have enough time to visit (and photograph) its main tourist spots, without rushing all day.

If you have less than 3 days, though, I would recommend not trying to visit everything. As part of a 24-hour layover, choose 3-4 things you want to see and focus on them. It’s the best way to enjoy the city. Otherwise, you could get overwhelmed, feel rushed, and not enjoy your trip.

Where to stay in Istanbul?

Istanbul is massive. Over 15 million people live in there, and this means that choosing the right place to stay is very important. There are 3-4 main tourist areas to stay:

• Sultanahmet
• Karakoy
• Galata
• Taksim
• Kadikoy

All of them are on the European side except for Kadikoy. In fact, Taksim, Galata, and Karakoy are right next to each other. Some people would add Besiktas, but in my opinion, it’s too far from the main tourist attractions, and although it’s well connected, the time it will take to move around is time that you could spend either resting or visiting the city.

Sultanahmet is the most touristy area. It’s where the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are located, as well as the Bazaars, and the Roman Cistern. It’s very touristy and lacks much “local” life

Karakoy, Galata and Taksim are my favourite areas to stay. They are well-connected, easy to walk to most of the tourist areas, and easy to hop on a tram to move around. The main problem with this area is that it’s extremely hilly. No joke, moving around the streets of this area after it rains can be quite dangerous if you’re not wearing the right footwear. This area has many hotels, restaurants and some shopping malls.

Kadikoy is for those who want a more local experience. The Asian side is not a place you will visit a lot, especially if you don’t have a lot of time in the city, and just like Besiktas, it can take a lot of time to go from there to the European side, where most tourist attractions are. If it’s not your first visit, it can be a great option; otherwise, I’d choose between the other 4.

How safe is Istanbul for tourists?

Istanbul is generally a safe city. Its touristy areas are safe to walk and explore, especially during the daytime, but even at night, in the central areas of the city, there’s a lot of movement, and it is quite safe.

However, Istanbul is so massive that it can’t be considered a completely safe city. Besides the common pickpockets, some areas of the city are best avoided by tourists. It’s highly unlikely you’ll be in one of them, as they are quite far away from the city centre.

Overall, exercise caution, especially with your belongings. It’s common to find policemen all around the tourist areas, due to recent and not-so-recent events. Given the political situation in Turkey (which I will not discuss here), avoid demonstrations, as they can get heated.

How to move around Istanbul?

I usually recommend walking around most of the cities I visit. However, Istanbul is so massive that at some point, you’ll need to use another means of transportation to move around. The main ones are:

Taxis: avoid them. Not only for the meter problem, but because traffic in Istanbul is so bad, you will be quicker with any of the other options. This also applies (most of the time) to taxis to and from the airport.

Buses: the same problem as with the taxis. Busy, slow, and due to traffic conditions, timetables are mostly approximate.

Metro: reliable, quick and the easiest way to move around for longer distances. This is the best way to go from the airport to the city centre. However, it takes a lot of time, as the IST airport is quite far away from the city centre.

Tram: my favourite way to move around for shorter distances. Especially handy if you move between the areas of Karakoy and Sultanahmet, a route quite popular among tourists.

Ferries: the scenic way. This is very useful to connect the European and Asian sides. In fact, it can even be a “tourist ride”. The only problem with ferries is that they don’t run as often as trams. This won’t be the last time I mention ferries in this Istanbul photography spots guide…

How expensive is Istanbul for tourists?

When I first visited Istanbul, over 15 years ago, it was a cheap city. When I last visited it, I was amazed by the prices of everything, especially accommodation, transportation, food, and tourist attractions. The latter surprised me the most, as some of the main spots had really high entry fees (for example, Hagia Sophia is 25€, around 30$).

Istanbul is not as expensive as major cities like NYC or London, but it’s expensive for what it offers. This is mostly due to the number of tourists it welcomes yearly, and is a latent problem for Turkish society.

Accommodation below 30$ per night is almost nonexistent, and acceptable hotels or apartments will cost you more than that.

Turkish food is one of the reasons why I love Istanbul, but prices for small restaurants have also gone up, especially in the central areas, where most tourists stay.

Yet, if you want to find cheaper prices, the moment you step outside of Istanbul, prices will drop considerably.

Istanbul photography spots: tourist attractions

The first section of this Istanbul photography spots guide focuses on the main tourist attractions. These are the spots you will find anywhere online when you search for “best Istanbul photography spots”. They are worth it, but very commonly photographed. For less common spots, areas or photo opportunities, keep reading!

Blue mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of the main Istanbul photography spots and a tourist attraction. In the heart of Sultanahmet, this very recognizable mosque attracts millions of tourists every year. In terms of photography, it’s an OK spot. It’s possible to visit its interior and take photos of it, but it’s one of those places that is almost always crowded.

This doesn’t really impact the photos you take, as most of them will be of the beautiful interior architecture, its cupolas,… but it can be overwhelming, especially if you enter with a couple of tour groups. Visit early in the morning, and remember it’s a religious building.

Hagia Sophia

Almost in front of the Blue Mosque, there’s Hagia Sophia. First things first. It’s extremely expensive for a mosque. However, if you have never visited it, it’s worth it. This building was once a Catholic church, a mosque, a museum, and since 2020, it’s again functioning as a mosque.

Thus, the building has a really unique mix of architectural styles due to the different uses it has had. Reflecting this in your photos can be complex, unless you’re visiting with a guide or reading about the elements of the building. It’s one of the most visited Istanbul (photography) spots, so expect crowds and many groups of tourists, both inside and around it.

Grand Bazaar

Speaking of busy Instagram photography spots, the Grand Bazaar is one of them. In fact, it was one of the places that disappointed me, because of the expectations I had for it.

When I first read about the Grand Bazaar, it was described as a historical bazaar, a place with many shops, and I pictured a scene taken out of a movie. However, the reality is that the Grand Bazaar is a crowded place. Many of the businesses cater exclusively to tourists, and some of them don’t even sell typical Turkish products. I completely understand why it has become like that, but if you are expecting an ancient bazaar, that’s not the place.

The great news is that there are other markets and bazaars in Istanbul. One is listed later in this Istanbul photography spots guide, but you can find more with a quick Google search.

Yet, don’t think that this means that it’s not possible to take great photos at the Grand Bazaar. It’s one of the most interesting Istanbul photography spots, but it’s important to manage the expectations of how authentic it will be.

Yerebatan cistern

Of the Istanbul photography spots in this first section of “famous” tourist attractions, this is my favourite one. The Yerebatan Cistern was built in the 6th century, and it’s one of the many that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Initially used to store water, nowadays it’s almost empty, so it can be visited.

This is a spot where, if you are the first one in the queue, you’ll be able to take better photos. The beauty of it is in showing the size of the cistern with the water reflections, the arches,… While it’s true that even when there are a lot of people inside, you can still take good photos, it becomes more difficult to get the best angles for yourself.

Note that the price to get into the Yerebatan cistern, like many of the Istanbul photography spots, is inflated for tourists. Expect to pay around 20$ if not more, for a visit that, at most, will last between 40 minutes and one hour, and that’s if you take your time.

Maiden’s Tower

This is the only one of the Istanbul photography spots that is located on the Asian side of the city. Technically speaking, it’s located in the water, but it’s much closer to the Asian side of Üsküdar.

Maiden’s Tower is a small structure that was once used as a lighthouse. Nowadays, it hosts a restaurant and a museum, and it can be visited only by boat.

Here, though, I recommend capturing it from a distance. What makes this tower extremely photogenic is its shape and its location. Although it is a great place to photograph at golden hour, if you get a cloudy day, don’t skip it. If the sea is rough, it can add to the scene.

Taksim mosque

This Istanbul photography spots guide has many mosques listed. It’s not to make the list longer. Actually, I could list many more, but I am only listing those that, after multiple trips to Istanbul, I found worth photographing.

Taksim Mosque is located at Taksim Square (see more about it below), and unlike the Blue Mosque, it’s a calmer place. While its interior has nothing particularly significant from a photography point of view, the reason it’s on this list is because of how easy it is to photograph from the outside. Move around Taksim Square, and explore different views. Both during the day and night, it’s a great spot.

Spice bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is famous for its size, but the location of the Spice Bazaar makes it even easier to visit. I already mentioned that the Grand Bazaar was a bit disappointing. Nothing compared to the Spice Bazaar. Every stall sells the exact same products, catering only to tourists, and it can get extremely busy.

However, the building is beautiful, and that’s why I list it in the Istanbul photography spots guide. If you look up and frame the arches and forget the people around you, it can be a great place to visit.

Another photo opportunity is capturing the typical products, although it looks a bit fake with every stall selling exactly the same.

Süleymaniye mosque

This is my favourite mosque in Istanbul. Less than half of the people who visit the Blue mosque walk uphill and make it to the Süleymaniye Mosque. This mosque is free (as almost all of them are), and besides offering amazing views over Karaköy, it has many photo opportunities.

From the view of the minarets before entering the mosque, to the interior of the mosque itself, everything is photogenic. The walk from the “popular” area to the Suleyman mosque is a prime street photography location, as I will mention in the street section of this Istanbul photography spots guide. Do not miss it!

Taksim Square

Famous for being the square where Turkish people gather to celebrate or protest, Taksim Square is at the end of the famous İstiklal Street (more on it below). The square is a really popular spot for tourists. Besides the already mentioned Taksim Mosque, the square has the Monument to the Republic, which I found extremely photogenic.

Karakoy fish market

The last of the touristy Istanbul photography spots is the Karaköy fish market. It might not be as popular as the previous spots, but it’s a tourist spot and a nice bridge between these, and the street photography areas, as it can be a mix of both.

The fish market is located next to the Galata Bridge, and it’s common to see the owners of nearby restaurants buying fish there. It’s a hectic spot, expect noise, lots of people, and hustle and bustle. Perfect for photography!

Istanbul photography spots: street photography areas

The second part of the Istanbul photography spots guide is about street photography. Instead of mentioning specific spots, which is very difficult when it comes to street photography, I will list areas that are great for street photography. All of them are in touristy areas or are easy to reach by public transportation.

Galata Bridge

Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Strait. However, the European side is also divided into 2 regions: Sultanahmet and Karakoy. These are connected by multiple bridges, but the best one for photography is the Galata Bridge.

This bridge is sometimes referred to as “the fishermen’s bridge” because of the many fishermen who, no matter the time of day, can be found all along the bridge. More on that later on. In terms of street photography, the bridge has two levels, and when the sun is low, it’s possible to take really nice shots of the locals and tourists crossing it.

Some might consider it part of the touristy Istanbul photography spots, but the bridge is often considered just as a way to go from point A to point B. Don’t do this, use it as a spot itself.

Istiklal street

This is one of the main shopping streets of Istanbul. Most of the stores are international brands, it’s full of people, and it can get quite crowded. Why do I list it in an Istanbul photography spots guide, then? Because of the constant flow of people..

This is regardless of the time of the year or the weather, but if you manage to photograph it on a rainy day, you will find photo opportunities at every corner. The volume of people can indeed make it challenging to take great photos.

Eminönü streets

In the first section of this Istanbul photography spots guide, I mentioned Hagia Sophia and the Süleymaniye Mosque. If you walk from one to the other, you’ll be in Eminönü. This area is amazing for street photography. It’s full of little alleys and steep streets.

Istanbul is quite hilly, and this can be used to your advantage when it comes to taking photos. In this case, either place people in negative space (if you shoot from below them) or place subjects in full context (if you shoot from above them).

Many of the alleys are quite narrow, so it’s a great place for midday photography. Although the light is not as good as in the evening, by then many of the alleys will be in the dark, making it more difficult to include light in your photos.

Karaköy at night

Karaköy is one of the trendy areas in Istanbul. Located next to the sea, it’s full of bars and restaurants, and it’s really popular among tourists. In this Istanbul photography spots guide, I mention it because of its night street photography potential.

This was where I took some of my favourite night photos in Istanbul. Besides the main streets full of lights, people, and movement, some of its side alleys are perfect for photography.

If you search for Karaköy on Google Maps, it highlights a tiny area by the sea. It looks small, but especially after sunset, you can spend hours walking around and taking photos.

Uskudar

Depending on the length of your trip, you might not get a chance to cross to the Asian side of Istanbul. Most of the Istanbul (photography) spots are on the European side, and it takes some time to cross to the other shore of the Bosphorus Strait.

However, it’s like a completely different city. The vibe is way more authentic, and although it’s still touristy, it feels more like the Istanbul you have seen in movies.

The area that I recommend walking and photographing is around the Üsküdar metro station. The views of the other side of Istanbul, the fishermen, and Maiden’s Tower are amazing as well.

Feriköy Antika Pazarı

Earlier in this Istanbul photography spots guide, I mentioned that the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar were not my favourite places for photography in Istanbul. However, I really enjoyed the Feriköy Antika Pazarı.

This is a Sunday flea market, and it’s a perfect spot for street photography. The audience is a mix of locals and tourists (more locals than tourists), as it is not located in the heart of Istanbul. Yet, it’s a short metro ride from the city centre. This way, you can explore a less-visited area of the city, maybe find some cool trinkets, and take some nice photos.

Istanbul photography spots: photo opportunities

The third section of this Istanbul photography spots guide is about photo opportunities. While some of them are characteristic of some areas of the city, it’s not possible to pinpoint an exact spot. Keep an eye out for them when visiting Istanbul!

Trams

Besides being the best way to move around Istanbul, trams are extremely photogenic. You will find them everywhere, and usually they are listed in Istanbul photography spots guides because of the old carriages.

The old red carriages can remind you of the ones in other cities like Lisbon or Budapest. However, don’t focus only on the old ones. Modern-day trams are also great for photography. If you like people-watching, tram stations are prime locations for it.

Cats

Istanbul is full of stray cats and dogs. However, the city has more of a cat vibe than a dog vibe. Cats are commonly listed in Istanbul photography spots guides, and the truth is, they are very easy to photograph.

The real challenge, though, is to include the cat in your photos, not only showing how cute they are, but placing them in context with the city. This requires a bit more planning and thought. However, the final photo will be much better.

People of Istanbul

Of course, an Istanbul photography spots guide has to include the people of Istanbul. I will mention the fishermen next, but here it’s about capturing the locals. It can be a difficult task, especially in the old town, where tourists (like you and me) are everywhere.

However, if you explore some of the areas mentioned in the street photography section, you will get the chance to capture more daily life scenes, with the people of Istanbul as the main characters.

Fishermen

If there’s water in sight, grab your camera and look around. Fishermen are everywhere in Istanbul, and they have become one of the main photographed elements of the city.

Most people focus on the Galata Bridge to take photos of fishermen. While it’s a great spot, it’s not the only one. All along the coastline, on both sides (Europe and Asia), you will find fishermen. From early in the morning until late at night.

Don’t focus only on the fishermen, though. Try to also capture the fish, the water,… and try to do it at golden hour. It’s probably the best time to take photos of fishermen (and of Istanbul in general).

Views over Karakoy (Galata Tower)

Karaköy is where the Galata Tower is. I did not list it in the touristy Istanbul photography spots section because I don’t think it’s a clear spot. Instead, it is part of the skyline of Karaköy, and the best way to capture it is from a distance.

Regardless of whether you are in Sultanahmet (European side) or in Kadıköy (Asian side), if you have direct sight over Karaköy, take your camera and capture it. Depending on your elevation, the weather, and the light, your photos will look completely different.

Ferries

Istanbul is a city that lives near the water, mainly because it’s spread across land separated by the Bosphorus Strait. While there are ways to cross from one side to another (trams across bridges, underground metro tunnels), the most picturesque way to do it is by ferry.

Ferries are one of the best Istanbul photography spots, but not for the reason you might think. This is not about capturing the boats from a distance, but about being inside them. People take boats in the same way as buses, trams, metros, but of course, none of these have the vibe that a ferry has.

Hop on ferries. They are cheap, very photogenic, and a great way to discover Istanbul.

Ferry terminals

After mentioning the ferries, I had to mention the ferry terminals. Why in a separate section? because the photos are not the same. Ferry terminals tend to be dark, a bit ugly, not very clean… perfect ingredients for photography. This does not mean they are unsafe; let’s say they have a lot of personality.

Instead of photographing the ferries, capturing the people waiting for them, with the city in the background, makes for really good photos.

Sea scenes (Asian Side)

In this Istanbul photography spots guide, I focused a lot on the European side. It’s quite common to spend most of the time there, especially for first-time visitors. However, as I mentioned before, the Asian side is extremely photogenic.

One of the photo opportunities on the Asian side is the sea scenes. From small docks to the fishermen, this area of Istanbul has a different vibe, and it can be seen everywhere, including in the sea scenes.

Asia vs Europe

The last of the photo opportunities in the Istanbul photography spots guide is about the contrasts between Asia and Europe. If you spend enough time in the city and hop from one side to the other, you will notice many differences, both in the people and in the overall feeling.

Capturing this in photos is a real challenge, but a nice one. Focusing on the people, their actions, and the environment is the best way to do it. Little details can reflect how this massive city, home to 15 million people, is a mix of cultures, people, and histories.

Istanbul photography spots: photo daytrip

The final of the Istanbul photography spots section is about daytrips. Despite being at the end of the guide, if you have one day to spare on your trip to Istanbul, make sure to check the spot below.

Princes’ Islands

At a 1h 30′-minute ferry ride from Istanbul, there’s a set of 9 islands called the Princes’ Islands. The largest and most well-known one is Büyükada, with a population of under 15.000 people.

I will not go deep into the whole trip to the islands, what to see on each of them or ferry prices. If possible, wake up before sunrise, and spend your day island hopping. Don’t aim to visit all of them, or you will not have time to really enjoy the islands. Choose 2 or 3, and take your time.

In terms of photo opportunities, the islands have a deep Mediterranean vibe. They are calm, quiet,… unless you visit during the high season, when they will be full of people looking for a place to enjoy the summer temperatures.

Some of the photography spots in the Prince’s Islands are:

• The ferries used to hop between islands
• The daily life of the islands
• Landscape and views, within an island, between islands and of the mainland itself.
• Cats and dogs, plenty of them, all over the place
• The second-largest wooden building in the world. Not in very good condition, and can’t be visited, but it’s possible to see it from the outside.
• Sea scenes: boats, fishermen, coves…

It’s not what you would expect in an Istanbul photography spots guide, but it’s close to Istanbul, relatively cheap, and something completely different from what you find in the city.

This concludes this Istanbul photography spots guide. If you have further questions about visiting and photographing Istanbul, you can schedule a call with me using the link below, and get all your doubts answered with first-hand knowledge. For more travel and photography inspiration, follow me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals).

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