Things To Do
10 Best Viewpoints in Istanbul
Towers, terraces and hills, ranked by view rather than by hype.
The list
- Çamlıca Tower — the widest panorama in the city
- Çamlıca Hill park — the same outlook, open air, free
- Galata Tower — old-city rooftops and the Golden Horn
- Pierre Loti Hill, Eyüp — the Golden Horn at sunset
- Süleymaniye Mosque terrace — free and spectacular
- Büyük Valide Han roof — gritty, atmospheric, unforgettable
- Kız Kulesi — the view back at both shores
- Karaköy rooftop bars — skyline plus a drink
- Üsküdar waterfront — the European skyline at golden hour
- A public ferry deck — the cheapest great view in Istanbul
How to combine them
Pick one high viewpoint and one waterline viewpoint per day. Height gives you the shape of the city; sea level gives you its life.
