Free things to do · Istanbul · Turkey
9 free things to do in Istanbul
Istanbul without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Istanbul without paying an entry fee: Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar and Süleymaniye Mosque are all free. Turkish lira prices change quickly with inflation; check current prices locally and pay in lira rather than euros, which usually costs more.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Sultanahmet
1.Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Use the separate visitors' entrance, carry your shoes in the bags provided and avoid the half hour around each call to prayer.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Market · Beyazıt
2.Grand Bazaar
Enter through the Beyazıt or Nuruosmaniye gates, browse first and compare prices, and haggle politely; the hans on the outer edge are quieter and more authentic.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Market · Eminönü
3.Spice Bazaar
Walk the outside lanes towards Tahtakale for everyday shopping, and buy Turkish coffee freshly ground from the long-established roasters nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- History
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Religious site · Süleymaniye
4.Süleymaniye Mosque
Go late afternoon for the view from the terrace, then eat beans and rice at the lokantas on the street beside the mosque.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Views
Street · Beyoğlu
5.Istiklal Avenue
Ride the historic Tünel funicular, opened in 1875, from Karaköy up to the bottom of the avenue and walk uphill towards Taksim.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Shopping
- Food
Neighbourhood · Balat
6.Balat and Fener walk
Take a bus or the Golden Horn ferry to Fener or Balat and walk uphill; residents are conservative, so dress modestly and ask before photographing people.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
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Market · Kadıköy
7.Kadıköy market streets
Come hungry at lunchtime, try pickle juice and stuffed mussels, then walk 15 minutes to the Moda seafront for tea.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Religious site · Eminönü
8.Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Look for the stone staircase on Hasırcılar Caddesi; visit between prayers and combine it with the Spice Bazaar.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Park · Sultanahmet
9.Gülhane Park
Walk through it after Topkapı to Seraglio Point and the tea terraces overlooking the Bosphorus.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Sultanahmet | Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) and Gülhane Park | 45 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Beyazıt | Grand Bazaar | 2–3 hours |
| Eminönü | Spice Bazaar and Rüstem Pasha Mosque | 1 hour + 30 minutes |
| Süleymaniye | Süleymaniye Mosque | 1 hour |
| Beyoğlu | Istiklal Avenue | 2 hours |
| Balat | Balat and Fener walk | Half a day |
| Kadıköy | Kadıköy market streets | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Eminönü
Bosphorus by ferry
Sit on the open upper deck on the left side heading north for the European shore, and buy tea and simit from the onboard vendors.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Beyoğlu
Pera Museum
Pair it with a walk down to the Tünel end of Istiklal and a drink in the Asmalımescit lanes.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Hasköy
Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Reach it by the Golden Horn ferry, which stops at Hasköy, and combine it with Balat on the same day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Viewpoint · Eyüp
Pierre Loti Hill and Eyüp
Visit Eyüp Sultan Mosque first, ride the cable car up and walk back down through the cemetery in the late afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- History
More ways to save
- Turkish lira prices change quickly with inflation; check current prices locally and pay in lira rather than euros, which usually costs more.
- Use public ferries instead of private Bosphorus cruises; the regular routes pass the same sights for a fraction of the price.
- The great mosques — the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye and Rüstem Pasha — are free to visit outside prayer times.
- Eat at esnaf lokantası canteens and pide shops away from Sultanahmet's main squares.
- Withdraw cash from bank ATMs rather than standalone machines in tourist areas, and decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Compare carpet and jewellery prices in several shops before buying, and never feel obliged after a free glass of tea.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Istanbul expensive to visit?
Istanbul is moderately priced for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Istanbul?
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): Use the separate visitors' entrance, carry your shoes in the bags provided and avoid the half hour around each call to prayer.