Istanbul viewpoints — best spots for panoramic views and photos

It's easy to fall in love with charismatic Istanbul when you see this great city from above. The best observation decks offer views of famous mosques, palaces, towers, and domes of historical bazaars. Here's where romantics and photography enthusiasts should head.

Ancient Istanbul is built on hilly terrain. Besides the seven green elevations of the historic center, the Turkish city has many other hills with beautiful views of attractions. The best free observation decks in various parts of Istanbul are very popular among tourists.

The largest hill in Istanbul rises 268 meters in the Asian district of Üsküdar, near the Kısıklı metro station. From the summit, you can see the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus, and the mouth of the Golden Horn. During your walk, it's interesting to visit the huge white Çamlıca Mosque and Beylerbeyi Palace.

Visitors and Turks themselves love this observation deck in the European part of Istanbul, making it crowded on weekends. In addition to a panoramic view of the Bosphorus, from the hill above Rumelihisarı fortress, you can see the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge and Hıdiv Palace.

An interesting city viewpoint is located in the Eyüp district. It's named after French novelist Julien Viaud, who used the pseudonym Pierre Loti and loved this part of Istanbul. At the top, there are several hotels in historic mansions, an atmospheric café, a pleasant green area, and good views of Istanbul's buildings along the Golden Horn bay. Tourists usually reach the top by cable car from 8:00 to 22:00. Adventure lovers climb the stairs through the Sultan's Cemetery.

One of the city's best observation decks in the Asian part of Istanbul is located in the Beykoz district. A picturesque park has been laid out on the hillsides, where 15,000 plants have been planted, with walking paths, benches, picnic tables, and a pond with turtles.

After a walk, it's nice to rest with a view of the Bosphorus Strait, Sultan Fatih Bridge, and the Rumelihisarı and Anadoluhisarı fortresses. You can get stunning sunset shots in Istanbul from here, but you can only take photos in winter, as the park welcomes guests from 8:00 to 17:00, closing early.

A popular spot in the elite Beşiktaş district in the European part of Istanbul can be a good place for family recreation. In this well-maintained green area, there are small cafés, restaurants, and playgrounds. Tourists come to appreciate the panoramic views of the Bosphorus, the Anatolian side of Istanbul, breathe clean air, and taste traditional Turkish dishes.

Enjoying Istanbul's attractions is convenient from observation decks arranged in historic and modern Istanbul buildings located near the city's iconic landmarks. However, most such observation decks in Istanbul charge an entrance fee.

This medieval monument on Galata Hill was built over 650 years ago and is visible from many districts of Istanbul. The tower offers a panoramic view of Istanbul. Tourists specifically come to this 60-meter-high spot to appreciate the charming views of Istanbul's old buildings, the Bosphorus, the legendary Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Turkey's futuristic skyscrapers. Visitors reach the top by elevator, walk the last two floors, and descend on foot. A visit to this Istanbul observation deck costs 650 lira. The price includes admission to the museum exhibition on the first and second floors of the tower.

Turkey's tallest skyscraper—Sapphire—has stood for 14 years in the Levent business district in the European part of Istanbul. The fashionable Turkish Manhattan and the Istanbul Sapphire tower are perfectly visible from yachts traveling along the Bosphorus Strait. The Sapphire in Istanbul rises to 261 meters, with 10 underground and 54 above-ground floors.

A glass observation deck with a café-restaurant is located almost at the very top. The 360-degree panorama from 236 meters is breathtaking. In the spacious room, it's pleasant to drink a cup of coffee while appreciating views of the Bosphorus Strait and the panorama of Istanbul from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea.

It's easy to reach the Sapphire skyscraper from the 4.Levent metro station. The first six floors of the building house a shopping center. Don't worry about getting lost—there are signs near the entrance directing you to the ticket office and high-speed elevator. A ticket to the Sapphire observation deck in Istanbul costs 455 lira.

Istanbul has low observation decks that offer wonderful views. One of the best is the main palace of the Ottoman Empire, which was the residence of sultans for several hundred years. This location in the historic Fatih district provides an excellent opportunity to photograph Istanbul's attractions and visit the city's most famous museum complex. Entrance costs 2000 lira. From the 45-meter terrace, it's easy to understand why the former rulers of Istanbul enjoyed views of the Bosphorus, the Maiden's Tower, and the Golden Horn bay.

A few years ago, the picturesque Çamlıca area in Istanbul was adorned with an ultra-modern TV tower shaped like a tulip flower. Tickets to the observation decks with city views at 148 and 153 meters cost 980 lira. As a bonus, visitors are treated to Istanbul residents' favorite drink—aromatic tea.

This ancient shrine on the top of Istanbul's fifth historical hill is not very popular among travelers, so there are never crowds of tourists here. Externally, the mosque looks austere. However, it deserves attention because it was built almost 500 years ago in honor of Suleiman the Magnificent's father—Selim the Grim. From the garden near the temple, there is an enchanting view of the city's ancient mansions, narrow streets, and neat courtyards of Istanbul.

This Muslim shrine in the Fatih district appeared about 500 years ago by the will of Suleiman the Magnificent. The second largest mosque in Istanbul contains the tombs of the great sultan himself and his wife Roxelana. The courtyard offers a breathtaking view—the Galata Tower, the Bosphorus, and vessels traveling along the Golden Horn bay. On neighboring Istanbul streets, there are many authentic restaurants serving delicious Turkish cuisine and strong aromatic coffee.

Many photos featuring tourists, hovering seagulls, and views of the impressive Sultanahmet district panorama were taken here. This photo studio and observation deck with photo zones is located near the Süleymaniye Mosque. Istanbul guests are offered Ottoman-style cushions, national costumes, Turkish sweets, and hot tea. You can reach this unusual café with views of Istanbul from the Vezneciler metro station or the Eminönü tram stop. The Taht Rooftop in Istanbul is open from 8:00 to 18:00. It's not an inexpensive pleasure, with photo session prices starting from 980 lira.

Istanbul's cable-stayed metro bridge with a double name — Haliç and Golden Horn—was opened just over 10 years ago. Standing above the blue waters of the bay, it's interesting to watch passing vessels and Istanbul's architectural monuments in the Fatih and Beyoğlu districts.

Observation spots in Istanbul are among the city's best attractions, so it's better to plan your visit in advance. Most paid observation decks in Istanbul, including Sapphire Tower, are open from 10:00 to 22:00, with visitors admitted until 20:00. Check the opening hours of your chosen location on the attraction's official website.

▪︎ To avoid crowds, visit the observation deck on a weekday. It's more comfortable to admire Istanbul early in the morning when there are few tourists.

▪︎ The best views in Istanbul are available in sunny weather. The city's panoramas are equally beautiful after dark.

▪︎ Observation decks in Istanbul have the most visitors in the early evening hours, as the setting sun transforms the Turkish city into a real fairy tale. The romantic sunset time in Istanbul is a true rush hour. Lines form at ticket offices, tables in restaurants are occupied, so places need to be booked several days in advance.

▪︎ The best observation spots in Istanbul, such as the Çamlıca TV Tower, offer transfers from any point in the city with breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the observation terrace.

▪︎ Stationary binoculars help you examine buildings and road junctions in Istanbul. Rental costs 1 lira.

▪︎ Bulky luggage, backpacks, and pets are not allowed on top.

▪︎ Along the Bosphorus coastline, on the roofs of hotels and tall buildings in Istanbul, there are restaurants and cafés with outdoor verandas that offer impressive views of the surroundings. It's pleasant to enjoy delicious food while admiring the city.

Visiting the best observation spots in different parts of Istanbul gives you many new impressions and discoveries. Views of the city from above allow you to appreciate its grandeur and understand that the weight of years makes this Turkish metropolis even more beautiful. If you want to hear interesting stories, take a guided tour of Istanbul's observation decks.