Istanbul’s Best Views
From Rooftops to Ground Level
Text & Photography | Stephanie Lagopoulos
From unparalleled vistas of the city, the Bosphorus River and the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul is best enjoyed from the tops of buildings – and there are many. Views in Istanbul are almost always combined with the bellowing sound of the call to prayer from a nearby mosque combined with the unremitting din of the city’s non-stop traffic. Istanbul is a constant attack on your senses.
The 360-degree view from the rooftop of Mikla Restaurant at the Marmara Pera Hotel cannot be beat! The view is best enjoyed at dusk, when lit-up mosques dot the landscape and the call to prayer echoes through the thick city air. Istanbul’s Blue Mosque cannot be missed from the Marmara Hotel’s rooftop and it’s truly the best vantage point to appreciate the city’s magnificent size.
views from Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is a must-see location for the stunning views offered from within the Palace walls. Ideally situated on the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus River, the Palace affords incredible views, especially from the back of the grounds, where you can appreciate a view of both bodies of water as well as Asia.
Related Story: Istanbul’s Top 3 Must-See Monuments
views from the boat
A trip to Istanbul wouldn’t be complete without a boat trip, since some of Istanbul’s best cityscapes can be captured from the water. Board a boat to either cruise the water or as a method of transportation to your next destination and enjoy views of modern bridges crossing the water alongside 1,000-year-old buildings. Views from Istanbul’s waterways are like no other in the world and commuting via boat is an ideal answer to the city’s constant car traffic.
Enjoy people-watching in any of Istanbul’s public squares where you will be sure to find a café to settle in with a sugary Turkish tea, or a sweetshop selling a colorful assortment of Turkish delights. While you rest those weary feet and sit comfortably to savor some of Turkey’s delicacies, take a moment to block out the city’s noise, listen for the bellowing call to prayer and simply look up to appreciate all of the incredibly varied architecture that call Istanbul home.