Culture & Cuisine · Istanbul

Culture & Cuisine in Istanbul

19 hand-picked Culture & Cuisine addresses in Istanbul — we turn them into your perfect trip.

Culture & Cuisine› Flag of Türkiye Culture & Cuisine in Turkey›Istanbul

Culture & Cuisine in Istanbul: Markets, temples, street food and the stories behind every dish. Istanbul in Turkey offers you 19 hand-picked addresses such as Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and The Blue Mosque and 15 stays from four stars up. We combine them into your Istanbul trip and plan everything individually — a Swiss Travel Designer takes care of dates, budget and every building block.

Culture highlights

The best culture highlights in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

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Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Iconic, storied mosque set within a vast, domed former Byzantine church with stained-glass windows.

The Blue Mosque

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The Blue Mosque

Well-known site, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 & containing its founder's tomb.

Dolmabahçe Palace

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Dolmabahçe Palace

Grand, domed sultan's palace, now a museum, including collections of art, calligraphy and carpets.

Topkapi Palace Museum

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Topkapi Palace Museum

Huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures.

Grand Bazaar

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Grand Bazaar

Historic sprawling network of indoor souks & market streets peddling leather, jewelry & gifts.

Cuisine

Food & drink to go with Culture & Cuisine

Garden 1897 Restaurant

Garden 1897 Restaurant

Traditional small plates & mains served in a relaxed venue with a garden & a terrace.

Hidden Garden Restaurant Sultanahmet

Hidden Garden Restaurant Sultanahmet

Turgut Kebab Restaurant -Sultanahmet-

Turgut Kebab Restaurant -Sultanahmet-

Hanzade Bosphorus Restaurant

Hanzade Bosphorus Restaurant

Easygoing eatery featuring local meat & fish plates, plus drinks, a rooftop terrace & water views.

Stays

Hotels in Istanbul we love

Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul

Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul

Sleek property with a rooftop pool & restaurant, plus a spa with steam rooms & saunas.

luxury

Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Ottomare

Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Ottomare

Modern quarters in a high-end hotel with a sleek restaurant & a poolside bar, plus a spa & pools.

Raffles Istanbul

Raffles Istanbul

Chic quarters in a luxe hotel with indoor & outdoor pools, plus 2 restaurants, 2 bars & a helipad.

luxury

Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Lavish lodging in an ornate former palace with dining & a spa, plus an infinity pool & a helipad.

luxury

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul

High-end hotel on the Bosphorus featuring a restaurant & a spa, plus indoor & outdoor pools.

luxury

AJWA Sultanahmet

AJWA Sultanahmet

Ornate rooms & suites in a luxury hotel offering a sophisticated restaurant & a spa.

luxury

Good to know

So you can dive deeper

Reserve tables

Sought-after restaurants (especially Michelin-starred) are full weeks ahead — your designer takes care of it.

Etiquette

Respect dress codes at sacred sites; local holidays can shift opening hours.

Culture & Cuisine elsewhere in Turkey

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