All Turkey Istanbul

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Istanbul

49 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

Updated March 3, 2025

Email

Unusual Attractions in Istanbul

See All 49 Things To Do in Istanbul

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Istanbul

See all 10 Places to Eat in Istanbul
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Istanbul, Turkey

Architecture 11
Restaurants 10
Food 6
History 6
Museums 5
Churches 4
Sacred Spaces 4
Unique Restaurants & Bars 3

Istanbul Leaderboard

Recent Istanbul Activity

Stories About Istanbul

The simplest Turkish delight can still come in a range of flavors and colors.

In Defense of Turkish Delight

This traditional sweet is actually pretty delightful.
by Anne Ewbank
Feast on endless meze at Inciralti Meyhanesi.

Gastro Obscura's Essential Places to Eat and Drink in Istanbul

Author and part-time Istanbul resident Anya von Bremzen shares where to find goat's milk ice cream, slow-roasted lamb, and more.
by Anya von Bremzen

Podcast: Ottoman Bird Palaces

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team

Podcast: Museum of Innocence

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
By the beginning of June, sea snot was thick off the coast of Turkey.

What in the World Is Sea Snot?

And why is it fouling the coast around Istanbul?
by Jessica Leigh Hester

Podcast: Basilica Cistern

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
The figures of Karagöz and Hacivat, on display inside Özek’s theatre in Istanbul, appear in every shadow theater performance.

Istanbul's Master of Puppets Is on a Mission to Save an Ancient Art

From his tiny studio, Cengiz Özek finds new ways to keep this Ottoman era tradition alive.
by Demetrios Ioannou
One of the best preserved charity stones in Istanbul, outside the İmrahor Mosque in the Üsküdar district.

The Forgotten Stones That Still Inspire Turks to Help Their Neighbors

A tradition of anonymous charity lives on in the age of COVID-19.
by Jennifer Hattam

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More