23 Best Free Things To Do In Istanbul, Turkey (2024)
If you’re traveling to Istanbul on a budget, you’re probably wondering about cheap and free things to do in Istanbul.
Turkey isn’t as cheap as it was several years ago, and I was quite surprised by the prices of tourist attractions specifically.
Luckily, many must-see sites in Istanbul are completely free to visit!
I spent several days in Istanbul, exploring majestic sites, admiring hidden gems, and observing the local life.
So I can tell you that you don’t need to break the bank to visit Istanbul, and those overpriced rooftop photoshoot spots aren’t the only viewpoints in the city.
Here are the best free activities to add to your Istanbul itinerary!
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1. Visit Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is the most iconic free tourist attraction in Istanbul. It is officially called the Sultanahmet Mosque, named after the neighborhood it is located in.
Dating back to the early 17th century, it is one of the most impressive mosques in the city. Its remarkable architecture features six minarets dominating the skyline and numerous blue domes.
The interior is equally stunning, with walls covered in 20,000 handmade tiles creating beautiful designs and stained glass windows letting in soft natural light.
The mosque is free to visit between prayer times, and you can also borrow a scarf to cover your hair if you didn’t bring one when packing for Turkey.
2. Admire Hagia Sophia From The Outside
The iconic Hagia Sophia isn’t free to visit. In fact, it is one of the most expensive tourist attractions in Turkey, but you can still admire it from the outside.
The Mosque dates back to the 6th century, and you’ll notice the architecture differs from other mosques in the area.
That’s because it was originally built as a Christian church during the Byzantine times, and was later repurposed into a Mosque.
Head to Sultan Ahmet Park for the best photo spot and view of Hagia Sophia!
- TOP TIP: If you’re Muslim, you can visit the mosque for free to pray during prayer times. There is a separate entrance for those coming to pray, but I’m not sure how they check if you’re really Muslim.
3. Discover Grand Baazar
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is another one of the must-see things in Istanbul, even if you’re not buying anything.
I must warn you that it’s not a relaxing shopping experience. Vendors will try to sell you things as soon as you look in their direction, and some can be quite insistent – it’s part of the experience I guess!
Still, there are areas and stands where you can browse without too much disturbance.
You can find literally anything on Grand Bazaar as it’s huge! It is divided into sections, with the same type of goods sold in the same area.
It might not be the cheapest place to shop, especially if you don’t like haggling, but browsing is free!
4. Pet All The Cats
I’ve tried hard not to put this one as the number one thing to do in Istanbul! If you’re a cat lover, Istanbul is the place for you.
So, where do you find cats in Istanbul?
Cats are everywhere – on the streets, in the stores, in cafes… and locals love and feed them, so most are clean and cuddly.
5. Admire The View From Suleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque is my favorite mosque in the city. It is absolutely majestic, with intricate writings and paintings covering the interior walls, a beautiful courtyard, and offers a stunning view of the city.
After visiting the mosque, head to the graveyard where you can see the tombs of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan.
Finally, the view from the terrace is one of the best in the city. You can see the Galata Bridge and Tower across the strait.
6. Admire The View From Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge connects the historic center of Istanbul with its modern city center – Beyoglu.
The bridge itself is not that special, but the view of the mosques on the historic side of Istanbul from the bridge is fantastic.
You can also watch locals fish from the bridge it’s a popular activity among the locals so the whole bridge can be lined with recreational fishermen.
7. Wander Egyptian Spice Bazaar
If Grand Bazaar was too hectic for you, head to the much smaller Egyptian Spice Bazaar. This covered 17th-century market is connected to the nearby mosque and its revenue was originally used for the upkeep of the mosque.
Nowadays, it is a fun place to stroll around and check out the items for sale. Most shops are selling spices, teas, and Turkish delights.
You’ll quickly notice that most places offer the same items, which I found a bit disappointing as it didn’t feel that authentic or “homemade”.
8. Visit Little Hagia Sophia
Did you know there is a smaller version of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul that you can visit for free? Located just about a 10-minute walk from the main Hagia Sophia, stands a much smaller version of it!
Originally built as a Byzantine church, it retains recognizable Byzantine features that blend seamlessly with its current role as a mosque.
It is much calmer than Hagia Sophia, and we were among the only people there when I visited!
9. Take A Photo Of Galata Tower
Galata Tower is the most recognizable landmark in the Beyoglu area of Istanbul. The tower dates back to the 14th century and was originally used as a prison!
You’ll have to pay to get inside the tower, but I think it is quite impressive from the outside. The view of the tower from Galata Street is one of the best photo spots in the city!
10. Wander Colorful Balat Neighborhood
Istanbul is huge, and you can really get off the beaten track if you spend more than 3 days in the city. Balat neighborhood is one of the most picturesque areas of the city, best known for its colorful houses.
The architecture of this part of the city is different, as it used to be the Jewish quarter in the 15th century, and later a melting pot of different nations that were settling in the city.
Nowadays, it is a trendy neighborhood, with many quirky cafes, restaurants, and shops to discover.
11. See The Historic Tram On Istiklal Street
My favorite thing about Istanbul is how this city perfectly blends the historic and modern. The only historic tram running through the city’s most popular shopping street is the perfect example.
It is the same type of tram you can see in Lisbon or Porto! You don’t need to ride the tram, as it gets very crowded, it’s not the most enjoyable activity on a hot summer day.
12. Escape The Crowds In Gülhane Park
Istanbul can be overwhelming with rivers of tourists swarming the streets and vendors trying to get you to buy something on every corner.
Gülhane Park is one of the rare green areas in the touristy Sultanahmet neighborhood, and the perfect place to escape the crowds and relax before tackling on the day.
13. See Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius
You can see an Egyptian Obelisk right in front of the Blue Mosque!
It is one of the three ancient monuments in this city that survived to this day. It’s almost hard to believe that this grand obelisk is more than 3000 years old!
Another fun fact is that the square it stands on used to be a hippodrome during Roman times.
14. Visit St. Anthony of Padua Church
Tucked away right off the busy Istiklal Street, stands one of the most beautiful churches in Istanbul. The architecture is quite interesting, with red brick walls and high ceilings.
I especially liked the Venetian-style arched balcony on the building in front of the Church you can see from the gate.
15. Watch the Dondurma Ice Cream Show
You probably saw the videos of tourists in Istanbul trying to get their ice cream while the vendor kept taking it away.
This dondurma show is surprisingly expensive if you just want to get an ice cream. However, watching other people get pranked is completely free!
You can find many dondurma stands along Istiklal Street. Crowds gather as soon as somebody takes an ice cream, so they will be easy to spot.
16. See The Ancient Valens Aqueduct
Istanbul was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, basically the Roman Empire, so you can still see traces of its ancient history.
Valens Aqueduct is one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the city. This ancient aqueduct was completed in the 4th century and was renovated in the Middle Ages to provide water to the city.
The aqueduct is massive, but the impressive part is that the aqueduct you see today is about 50m shorter than its original height!
17. Join A Free Walking Tour
If you’re backpacking Turkey on a budget, you should take advantage of free walking tours.
It is an excellent way to discover a city with a local guide and learn things you wouldn’t have known otherwise.
While free walking tours are not actually free, you’re supposed to tip your guide if you enjoyed the tour, it is still a fraction of the price of other guided walking tours.
🚶Browse free walking tours in Istanbul here!
18. Admire Dolmabahçe Palace From The Outside
If you’re spending 2 weeks in Turkey entry fees to various tourist attractions can quickly add up, so save money by admiring the exterior of the Palace and the seafront views.
Dolmabahçe Palace has one of the most impressive gates I’ve ever seen, so I can only imagine how majestic the interior must be.
Also, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower is outside the Palace, and it is a popular photo spot thanks to its neo-baroque style.
19. Visit Ortakoy Mosque
Ortakoy Mosque is a little bit out of the way compared to most tourist attractions in Istanbul, but it is worth the detour!
This beautiful mosque was built in Baroque style, giving it a unique look compared to the other mosques in the city.
Thanks to its picturesque seafront location, it is also one of the most popular Instagram spots in Istanbul.
20. Roam The Streets Of Cihangir And Çukurcuma
The beauty of Istanbul is that you’re always just a street away from a calm local area.
Cihangir and Çukurcuma neighborhoods are the perfect example, as they are situated just a short walk from the busy Taksim Square and Istiklal Street.
These trendy hillside neighborhoods remind me of a cool blend of Montmartre in Paris and Lisbon. You’ll see many quirky cafes and trendy eateries along picturesque alleys and staircases.
21. Take A Photo From Karakoy Pier
Karakoy Pier offers a stunning view of the Sultanahmet side of Istanbul, and the area is completely free to stroll around.
22. See How Locals Live In Kadikoy
Take a ferry over to the Asian side of Istanbul to escape the crowds of tourists and see how new generations of Turks live in Kadikoy, especially in the trendy Moda neighborhood.
I loved strolling the streets of Kadikoy lined with quirky cafes and restaurants. The architecture is also quite interesting, with many historical houses dotted among the residential buildings.
23. Stroll Along Bosphorus
Finally, Istanbul is a seafront city with many promenades along the Bosphorus. You could go for a walk along basically every coast in the city.
The walk beneath Topkapi Palace is especially popular, but I liked walking along the Karakoy promenade, as you get a stunning view of the historic center of Istanbul.
Summary: Free Things To Do In Istanbul
Istanbul is a large city, with more than 16 million people living there! While some of the most popular tourist attractions are quite pricey to visit, many other sites are completely free.
For example, beautiful Blue and Souleymane Mosques are free to visit, and other attractions like the Galata Tower and Hagia Sophia are also impressive to see from the outside.
Also, I loved strolling the residential streets of Istanbul in the Balatat, Cihangir, and Çukurcuma neighborhoods.
It is possible to visit Istanbul on a budget, enjoy free activities, eat delicious local food, and stay in hostels and affordable hotels.
