Istanbul is the only city in the world which spans over two continents. Constantinople, the New Rome, Tsargrad, Stamboul are just a few of the names this grand city has been bestowed over the past two millennia. The former Ottoman and Byzantine capital has an endless range of diverse and captivating neighborhoods wherever you choose to wander. The city is a contrast between east and west, and old and new, making it a photographers dream.
You can visit Istanbul a hundred times and still find something completely new and fascinating however, to make things easier we have listed 10 of the most interesting locations to photograph in Istanbul.
1. Istanbul Ferry
The best way to get around Istanbul and to the Princes’ Islands is via the iconic Istanbul ferry boats. Commuter ferries have been operating on the Bosporus since 1851 and continue to serve as a key public transport link for many thousands of commuters, tourists, and vehicles per day.
The Istanbul ferries offer some of the the best views of the Bosporus, Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), and Maiden’s Tower as well as offering interesting opportunities to photograph the people onboard.
I highly recommend getting on the ferry to either capture sunrise or sunset for some truly exceptional scenes.
2. Büyükada
If you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul and want to vary your photography shots, then I highly recommend a trip to Büyükada.
There are six Princes’ Islands which sit approximately an hour and a half away (via ferry) from Istanbul. Büyükada is the largest of the islands and offers up the most interesting views.
Büyükada offers a village atmosphere just a stone’s throw from Istanbul, but be prepared for long walks. From the pier, walk all the way up to the summit, taking photos of the narrow streets, old wooden houses and freely roaming nature.
While the final segment of the walk if pretty steep, you will be rewarded by a truly stunning view of the Princes’ Islands and the Sea of Marmara with Istanbul in the distance.
3. Karaköy
Karaköy is an up-and-coming area in Istanbul and hosts a plethora of cafes and boutique shops throughout its narrow cobbled streets.
The area is perfect for photographers looking for a young edgier scene in Istanbul and will be awestruck by the elaborate street art on display. In-fact, one of the streets is named after a prominent street artist, “Leo Lunatic.”
During your stay in Istanbul, make sure to take a walk down to Karaköy to capture its interesting streets, and while in the area, visit the İstanbul Modern Art Museum too.
4. Balat
Balat is a traditional Jewish and Christian quarter in the Fatih capital district of Istanbul on the European side. The best way to travel to the historic peninsula, on the western bank of the Golden Horn, is via a boat from Karaköy.
Balat is one of Istanbul’s oldest quarters and hosts colorful apartments, boutique cafes, and antique stores. While there has been an influx of tourists in recent years, the area has retained its traditional routes, as well as its historic houses.
There are endless photo opportunities in Balat, ranging from panoramic views of Istanbul to street photography, and the chance to capture a slice of history in its decaying structures.
5. Grand Bazar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets with its 61 covered streets and more than 4,000 shops. Photography opportunities in the bazaar are numerous with its colorful and vivid stalls and its interesting characters.
Don’t be shy to take photos inside the Grand Bazaar of both the stalls and owners … but don’t linger for too long as you may be roped into buying a fez and lamp you weren’t planning too!
6. Süleymaniye Mosque
While the Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque draw most the attention from photographers in Istanbul, I highly recommend giving the two a miss and heading up to the Süleymaniye Mosque instead.
Süleymaniye is the crown jewel of master Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The mosque possess truly impressive and imposing architecture and is located up on the Third Hill of Istanbul offering some unique views of the city.
7. Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge is one of Istanbul’s most instantly recognizable locations and a hotspot among local fisherman.
The bridge which spans the Golden Horn, offers plenty of photo opportunities with views of the city, boats crossing the river, and the fishermen. You could easily spend the entire day taking photos on and around Galata Bridge.
I highly recommend visiting early in the morning and if possible, on a foggy morning for some truly mystical and unique scenes.
8. İstiklal Avenue & Galata Tower
İstiklal Avenue is Istanbul’s beating heart and its busiest shopping district. While generally speaking, shopping districts don’t offer many photo opportunities, İstiklal Avenue is a completely different kettle of fish.
With its iconic historic red tram which runs the full length of the avenue, the boulevards, picturesque side roads and street artists, there is always something interesting to photograph on İstiklal Avenue whatever the weather or time of day.
Wander down İstiklal, walk though its small alleys, sip on some Turkish tea, and enjoy taking photos of the streets and the locals who populate it.
After exploring İstiklal Avenue, head over to Galata Tower. The tower was built in the 14th century and offers a perfect spot for landscape photography from the top from where you can see the famous bridges, mosques, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
Galata Tower is my favorite landmark in Istanbul, and I try to keep it in frame whenever taking a cityscape of Istanbul.
9. Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) in Üsküdar
The Maiden’s tower is one of Istanbul’s most symbolic sights. The tower sits on a tiny island in the Bosphorus and is accessible by boat.
While the majority of visitors take the boat to the Maiden’s tower from the European side, I highly recommend taking a trip over to Üsküdar instead.
Firstly, the views from Üsküdar of the Maiden’s Tower with the city as its backdrop are truly remarkable and secondly you can enjoy a tea and simit (a popular Turkish pastry) while taking photos and admiring the vista.
When you are ready, hop on the boat for a short ride to Kiz Kulesi for a touch of history and impressive views of Istanbul. I highly recommend arriving at Üsküdar for sunset for some unforgettable views and photo opportunities of the sun setting over Istanbul with the Maiden’s Tower in the foreground.
10. Ortaköy
Ortaköy is a small area located within the Beşiktaş district and is best known for its historic and beautiful mosque.
The Ortaköy Mosque — while one of Istanbul’s smaller mosques — offers perfect photo opportunities due to its positioning in front of the Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge).
