21 Best Photography spots in Istanbul

One of the world’s most stunning cities is Istanbul. From the marble palaces and historic sites to the bustling marketplaces and bustling nightlife, Istanbul holds an uncanny ability to please all five senses. Known as the city on two continents, Istanbul is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world. Featuring both modern landmarks and historical sites, Istanbul has so much to offer both tourists and photographers! Istanbul is a city full of photographic opportunities. If you are into photography it’s one of the very best cities in the world to visit. There is something for everyone, whether you like real-life shots or capturing some of the amazing architecture the world has to offer. In this post, we’ve created an extensive list of where the best photography spots are in Istanbul.

Best gear to photograph in Istanbul

The gear we recommend is a good camera and the holy trinity.  A wide-angle lens.  14-24mm or something similar.  A 24-70mm or something similar and, of course, a 70-200mm or something similar.

If you do not have these particular lenses, do not worry; something similar will be just fine. A tripod is also highly recommended to capture those epic sunsets and night shots.

Best Photography spots in Istanbul

1. Sultanahmet Arkeolojik Park

Sultanahmet Arkeolojik Park is one of the most beautiful photography spots in Istanbul. It’s a large public park in Sultanahmet that is located on top of the ancient city walls. The park is notable for its views of the Bosphorus, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque. This park is a place where visitors can visit the ruins and diversity of civilizations that ruled in this area. Amidst lush green pathways, the majestic history behind these structures really comes alive.

2. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, one of the world’s most recognizable and significant buildings, is a landmark that everyone should visit. Today, it serves as a museum and is visited by millions of people every year. Though tourism to Istanbul has increased significantly in recent years, Hagia Sophia still has many of its original features, including a great deal of marble and light.

3. Sultan Ahmet Blue Mosque

The blue mosque is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. This has been a place where people took pictures hundreds of years ago. Blue Mosque with its domes and minarets is an outstanding architectural structure with its beauty, harmony, and balance that makes it a perfect location for shooting any image or video that you can imagine.

4. Bosphorus Bridge

Bosphorus bridge is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. After crossing Bosphorus Bridge, you will enter a new era, you can see many bridges, boats, and seagulls. Some fantastic views of the city and water are available. The old architecture with its different colors helps create a great picture. It is also one of the most photographed spots in Istanbul and it is open for pedestrians and bikers.

5. Chora Church

Chora church is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. It’s an orthodox church built by the order of Constantine IX Monomachus which was transformed into a mosque after the conquest of Mehmet the Conqueror and later it was converted into a prison by the Republic’s parliament. The story behind this area is full of events and legends, which led us to make this place one of our main target places when we decided to visit Istanbul

Best Photography spots in Istanbul

6. Ortakoy Mosque

Ortakoy mosque is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. It is located on the beautiful Bosphorus coast, and this makes it a very attractive place to take pictures. The mosque was built out of white stone and it has two large domes that are overhanging each other and act as a stand for smaller ones. One might not think that this would be an attractive architectural combination but it goes to show how the wrong one can be when judging a mosque by its cover!

7. Galata Tower

One of the best photography spots in Istanbul, Galata Tower overlooks the entire city and is a perfect location for capturing a beautiful view. You can climb up to the top and have a full 360-degree panoramic view of Istanbul – see all the way to the Bosphorus Bridge and the Marmara Sea! If you love photography, or want to be inspired by shooting in the city of Istanbul, then you should go to Galata Tower. It has a great location with magnificent views of the whole city.

8. Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern is one of the most iconic and beautiful sights in Istanbul. It’s well known for its incredible architecture and stunning location and is one of my favorite photography spots in the city. The place was previously used as a cistern for collecting and storing water. When it was built it was thought to be one of the largest public cisterns in the world, but today it is open to tourists who can marvel at its beautiful architecture.

9. Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahçe Palace is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul, featuring an impressive collection of imperial architecture and décor, natural landscaping, and stunning views over the Bosphorus. Dolmabahçe Palace, the most important building in the history of Ottoman architecture, is one of the most impressive architectural monuments in Istanbul. Located on Bosphorus Strait and surrounded by gardens, the palace was built during Ottoman era and was used as a residence by the last monarchs of the Ottoman Empire. Dolmabahçe Palace is considered to be one of the best photography spots in Istanbul.

10. Gulhane Park

Gulhane Park is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. The park’s main attraction is its terrace, which overlooks the Bosphorus and Princes’ Islands. The place also has memorial monuments, fountains, and beautiful gardens where you can take some great photos. Gulhane Park is one of the most popular destinations for amateur and professional photographers. This park, built in 1775, is situated on the European side of Istanbul and is known for its magnificent grounds, herb gardens, and flower gardens.

Best Photography spots in Istanbul

11. Istanbul City

Istanbul City is a photography paradise! It features a beautiful mix of old and new architecture, lush green parks, bustling marinas, and calm natural areas. The picturesque town of Bebek on the shores of Bosphorus welcomes you to discover its hidden gems only if you are ready to roam off the beaten track. Nowhere in the city better captures its beauty, diversity, and energy than here—just across Bosphorus Bridge from Europe and a stone’s throw away from Asia. Here, you can see all of what makes this place so special: mosques and minarets rising up against the glistening skyline, a bustling dock where fishermen sell their catches every morning, and a vast port that was once home to different cultures but now sees only one way of life.

12. Maidens tower 

Place yourself at the heart of Istanbul’s most beautiful views. Maidens Tower is a place where you can find yourself at the center of some of the most spectacular views in all of Istanbul, with unrivaled access to some of the city’s most historic sites. This sunset is perfect for couples or friends, it adds a touch of romance to your photos. You can also get your photo taken with the Maiden’s Tower in the background and make it look like you’re alone by editing your picture later. The tower itself has beautiful architecture and looks great if you’re trying to show off where you live or travel to while still being unique.

13. Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar has been an integral part of life in Istanbul since 1514. Today, the historic area is still an important center for commerce and tourism, but its narrow streets are also filled with shops and attractions not to be missed – from the spice market to workshops of artisans who create rare and unique items.

The best photographers in Turkey are here, you can see them struggling to expose their art as it should be, and that’s what makes this place so magical!

14. Rumeli Fortress

The Rumeli Fortress is one of the best places to take photographs in Istanbul. The location offers a stunning view of both the Sea of Marmara and Bosphorus. The place is so beautiful you might even forget that it is a fortress at all! Keep in mind to plan your visit before sunset or else you will miss out on some incredible sunsets.

15. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

An iconic symbol of Istanbul that can be seen from any point in the city, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is one of the Best Photography spots in Istanbul. The Ottoman-style architecture makes it visually stunning, with its sweeping arches, green spaces, and colorful towers. Its location at the entrance to Europe was also historically important as a gateway for ships coming from across the Mediterranean into the Black Sea.

Best Photography Spots in Istanbul

16. Yedikule Fortress

Istanbul has so many stunning views, but one of the most stunning is from the walls of Yedikule Fortress. The fortress sits on one of the seven hills overlooking Istanbul and offers a view that encompasses this incredible city. You can see its ancient history as well as its modern architecture, which makes for some amazing photos. 

The Yedikule Fortress, located in the southern part of Istanbul, was built by Sultan Mehmed on the northern shore of the Golden Horn. It is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. This fortress offers amazing views of Istanbul and a wonderful opportunity to capture images.

17. Aya Sofia

The Aya Sofia is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. It’s a very important monument and a national symbol for Turkey. This is why it’s been used for many different types of events, ceremonies, and festivals. It is also famous for its large interior space and high dome with an open sky that makes everything look huge inside the building. Aya Sofia is one of the most unique and special spots for photography in Istanbul, with its own history and magnificence. The richness and beauty of the mosaics reflect wonderfully in photography.

18. Karakoy

Karaköy is the place to go when you need a good photography spot in Istanbul. The neighborhood offers a vast array of architectural styles and allows access to some spectacular views of the old city.

19. Arnavutkoy Seaport

The Arnavutkoy Seaport is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. The place is situated at the entrance of the Bosphorus and it’s a perfect place to take pictures of yachts and ships passing by on the sea. The panoramic view over this idyllic bay filled with yachts, motorboats, ferries, and cruise ships makes an excellent photo background!

20. Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace is the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans. It is located in Istanbul, Turkey, on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn. The palace was a special place in which to live and to be given an audience. It provided the setting for lavish receptions and events such as banquets and festivals.

If you’re looking for a great photography spot, the Topkapi Palace is one of the best in Istanbul. With its beautiful architecture, lush gardens, and numerous interesting buildings, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring.

21. Florya beach

Florya beach is one of the best photography spots in Istanbul. Many young people like to spend their time there, but it is also a perfect place for families with kids as well. It is equipped with all necessary facilities: beach chairs and umbrellas for rent, beer and drink stands are available on location, as well as cafes and restaurants. 

These are the Best Photography Spots in Istanbul

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