More Than Just a Pretty City

Istanbul ❤️ There are no word to describe you… I really don’t know which feeling is the most alive in me when I see you. I feel safe, unbothered, free, compassionate, like a little girl, so exited to discover you for the countless time…I calm down, even you are described as chaotic by some people.

So dear reader,  Istanbul is just more than Aesthetic. (I can hardly call it) A city you feel. A ferry crossing the Bosphorus. Seagulls flying behind it. The silhouette of a mosque between two buildings. A tiny glass of Turkish tea with probably the best view you could ask for. Old wooden houses, narrow streets, Ottoman details and, of course, cats casually sleeping in the middle of everything as if the whole city belongs to them.

For me, the Istanbul aesthetic isn’t just about finding the perfect Instagram or Pinterest spot. What makes Istanbul so beautiful is exactly this mix: Europe and Asia, Ottoman history and modern city life, crowded streets and peaceful mosque courtyards.

So if you are coming to Istanbul with a camera and a long list of saved places, definitely take your pictures. I will too. But don’t forget to actually look around. Because Istanbul is often most beautiful when you aren’t searching for it.

What makes Istanbul so special?

If you search Istanbul aesthetic on Pinterest, you’ll probably see a very specific version of the city. Mosques at sunset. Turkish tea. The Bosphorus. Ferries. Galata Tower. Colorful streets. Maybe a few cats. And I love all of that.

But my favorite Istanbul aesthetic is a little less perfect. It’s seeing the Süleymaniye Mosque suddenly appear at the end of an ordinary street. An old building that probably hasn’t been renovated in years but somehow looks beautiful exactly because of that. Hearing the call to prayer while people are rushing home from work. The sound of ferry horns on the Bosphorus. Fishermen on Galata Bridge and seagulls trying very hard to steal someone’s simit. Sitting outside with a glass of çay and realizing that you’ve been staring at the same view for twenty minutes. Istanbul doesn’t have one aesthetic. It has hundreds of them. And somehow they all belong together.

 1. The Most Aesthetic Places in Istanbul

Of course, there are certain places where you’ll immediately understand why Istanbul is so popular with photographers.

Sultanahmet – Classic Istanbul

If it’s your first trip to Istanbul, you’ll probably spend some time in Sultanahmet. And you should. This is where you’ll find two of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. If you want to understand more of the history behind these buildings rather than simply walking through them, a guided Sultanahmet walking tour can be worth booking, especially on your first visit.

Try to come early in the morning, when there are fewer people around, the light are softer and you can move and shoot freely with your camera. But don’t only photograph the famous buildings. Walk through the surrounding streets too. My my favorite view are the mosque domes appearing between ordinary Istanbul buildings when walking on the the streets.

Hidden Beauty: Mehmet Pahsa Mosque

10 Minutes, walking down the street from Hagia Sophia you can discover one of Istanbul’s hidden beauties, Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque. A paradise-like entrance is welcoming you to the mosque. This mosque is so special because it has a piece of the Hajar al-Aswad, the Black Stone in it. Go inside and try to find it. It took me a little to discover it, but the Imam of the mosque gave me a clue. You can ask him for one too, if you are struggling… 🙂

The Black Stone is the sacred stone set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba in Mecca. According to Islamic tradition, it came down from Paradise. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) placed the Black Stone in its position during the rebuilding of the Kaaba, before his prophethood.

Süleymaniye – The Masterpiece

“If this is your first time in Istanbul, please don’t make the mistake of only visiting the Blue Mosque. Süleymaniye is one of my favorite places, I love everything of it. The mosque is a masterpiece. Then its garden with this iconic view over my lovely Istanbul. I could sit there for hours. So Süleymaniye should be definitely be high on your list.

In the mosque pleaseeee, look up. And then look closer. Look at the calligraphy, the windows, the dome and the details surrounding you. If you’ve ever wondered what the Arabic calligraphy inside Istanbul’s mosques actually says, I’m putting together a guide to the meaning behind Istanbul’s mosque calligraphy.

Afterwards, walk around the neighborhood. You’ll find narrow streets, old buildings and beautiful views over the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. It feels completely different from the busier tourist areas only a short distance away.

Want to discover the stories behind the beautiful places?

Sometimes, the best way to experience Istanbul is through the eyes of someone who knows the city by heart. A verified local guide can take you beyond the picture-perfect spots, introduce you to hidden corners and share the stories behind the architecture, neighbourhoods and traditions.

Especially if you’re interested in Ottoman history, Islamic architecture or the little details you might otherwise walk past, a private local tour can make your visit even more meaningful.

Discover Private Istanbul Tours with Local Guides →

Sultan Terrace – A Rooftop with a View

Here I could easily spend hours just enjoying the view. Sitting on Turkish kilim cushions, watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange as the sun sets over Istanbul. The Bosphorus, historic mosques and flying seagulls..

Sultan Terrace in Fatih is also a beautiful spot for a photoshoot. You can dress up in traditional Ottoman-inspired outfits and capture some truly unique memories of Istanbul. 📸

My tip: Try to book your photoshoot around sunset. Trust me, the colours are worth it!

• Location: Fatih, Istanbul
• Best time: Golden hour and sunset
• Experience: Rooftop photoshoot with traditional costumes

Find out more at Sultan Terrace.

 

Balat – Colorful, Old and Imperfect

You’ve probably already seen Balat on Pinterest. Colorful houses, steep streets, cute cafés. Balat is known as a popular filming location for many famous Turkish TV series, such as Çukur, one of the most famous and long-running drama series set in the neighborhood. And Cennet Mahallesi, a classic comedy show used Balat’s old streets as its main neighborhood backdrops.

Üsküdar – Watch Istanbul From Asia

One of my favorite things to do in Istanbul is one of the simplest: Take the ferry. Head over to Üsküdar on the Asian side and walk along the Bosphorus, especially around sunset. From here, you can look back toward the European side while ferries cross the water in front of you. And somewhere in between sits the Maiden’s Tower. Grab a Turkish tea, find a spot by the water and stay for a while.

If you want to see more of the Bosphorus from the water, you can take a Bosphorus cruise. I personally love using the regular ferries, but a cruise is a nice option if you want to see more of the waterfront palaces, mosques and neighborhoods in one trip.

You don’t need an itinerary for every hour of your trip. Sometimes Istanbul itself is the activity.

 

Ortaköy – The Famous Bosphorus View

Ortaköy gives you one of those views that almost looks too perfectly Istanbul. The beautiful Ortaköy Mosque stands directly beside the Bosphorus while the huge Bosphorus Bridge stretches across the water behind it. An Ottoman mosque and a modern suspension bridge in one frame. That contrast basically sums up Istanbul. If you want photographs without huge crowds, coming earlier in the day is definitely worth it.

Galata – Look Beyond the Tower

Galata Tower is beautiful. But the area around it is what makes Galata so photogenic for me. Walk through the smaller streets and you’ll find old apartment buildings, cafés, tiny shops, balconies and unexpected views of the tower appearing between buildings. Instead of walking directly from one attraction to another, take a few random turns. You might find a much better photo than the one you originally came for.

2. The Islamic Calligraphy Inside Istanbul’s Mosques

There is one detail of the Istanbul aesthetic that I think deserves much more attention: the Islamic calligraphy inside the city’s mosques. When most people enter an Ottoman mosque, they naturally look at the architecture first. The huge domes are incredible. But then look at the writing.

You’ll find beautiful examples of Islamic calligraphy throughout Istanbul’s historic mosques: Quranic verses, the names of Allah, the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and other religious inscriptions. These writings aren’t there simply because Arabic calligraphy looks beautiful. They have meaning.

And once you start learning to recognize the letters and understand what some of these inscriptions actually say, you begin looking at mosques differently. This is something I love about Istanbul. You can visit the same mosque again and again and still notice something new. A verse you didn’t recognize before. A small inscription above a doorway. A detail in the dome. For anyone interested in Islamic art, Ottoman architecture or Islamic calligraphy, Istanbul feels like a place where you could keep learning forever.

3. Istanbul Aesthetic Through the Seasons

Istanbul looks different throughout the year. And every season is so beautiful that people fell in love and write songs about it. My favorite song: Istanbul’da Sonbahar (Istanbul in autumn), from Teoman. Because I love autumn and it makes me remember the days I lived in that amazing city.

• In spring, the city becomes greener and tulips appear everywhere. The weather is much nicer for spending entire days walking.
• In summer, Istanbul feels alive until late at night. The Bosphorus is full of boats, the streets are busy and especially in the evenings, the waterfront becomes one of my favorite places to be.
• Autumn brings cooler weather and a slightly more nostalgic feeling to the city. It’s much more comfortable if your plan involves walking 20,000 steps a day, which somehow always happens in Istanbul.
• And then there is winter. If you’re lucky enough to see Istanbul covered in snow, you’ll understand why people become slightly obsessed with those photos. Mosque domes, minarets and old streets under a layer of white make the city look almost unreal. 

4. How to Capture The Istanbul Turkey Aesthetic in Photos

You don’t need the most expensive camera to take beautiful pictures in Istanbul. The city is doing most of the work for you. What matters much more is light, timing and noticing details. If you want to photograph popular attractions, get there early. For Bosphorus views, golden hour and sunset can be beautiful. And take your camera onto the ferry. Seriously. Some of the best views of Istanbul are from the water. Instead of photographing only landmarks, pay attention to the little things too:

• Turkish tea with the Bosphorus in the background
• Islamic calligraphy inside a mosque
• Ottoman tiles and decorated ceilings
• old doors and windows
• ferries between the continents
• minarets appearing between buildings
• street cats doing whatever they want (most of the time sleeping)
• simit stands
• reflections on the Bosphorus
• everyday Istanbul street life

When I say you’ll be walking a lot, I really mean a lot. My average is 20k on a day. Istanbul is hilly, especially around places like Galata, Süleymaniye and Balat. If you’re planning full sightseeing days, comfortable walking shoes are probably one of the best things you can pack.

5. My Favourite Places

I completely understand why people fall in love with the Istanbul aesthetic before they’ve even visited. After you took your pictures I recommend you: Sit beside the Bosphorus. My favorite promenade is Bebek Coast. Walking distance to Rumeli Hisarı from there is is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) and takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes along the scenic Bosphorus coast.

Take the ferry. My favorite route is Kadiköy-Besiktas. It takes about 25 minutes. You have time to sit and look at the beautiful scenery of Istanbuls heart, the Bosphorus.

Drink Turkish tea. The best cafe, where you feel like living in the Ottoman empire is Aşiyan Kitap & Kahve (@asiyankitapkahve) – in Üsküdar. Another place that takes away my breath is Çikolata Kahve in Çengelköy (@cikolatakahveistanbul). 

Look at the calligraphy inside the mosques. If you can read arabic, try to decipher it. If not, you can ask me or chatgpt, which verse or Hadith it is.

Walk down the street that isn’t on your itinerary. Watch the city. Because Istanbul’s beauty isn’t only found in Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque or that perfect sunset picture. It’s in the combination of everything. Europe and Asia. History and everyday life. Mosques and modern skylines. Crowded streets and quiet courtyards. Chaos and peace. Maybe that’s why I still wonder sometimes whether there really is a more beautiful city in this world. I haven’t found one yet.

6. FAQ (about the most beautiful city in the world)

Who is Istanbul? Yes, who because I believe this city has a soul ❤️

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and probably the city most people around the world immediately associate with the country. But what makes Istanbul really special is its location. The city lies on two continents – Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorus running between them. And yes, you can literally have breakfast in Europe, take a ferry and spend your afternoon in Asia. I know people say this all the time when talking about Istanbul, but I still think it’s kind of amazing.

The city has an incredibly long history. You might know Istanbul by its former name, Constantinople, and traces of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods can still be found all over the city today. That is one reason why walking through Istanbul never feels like simply walking through a modern city. History is everywhere. Sometimes very obviously. Sometimes hidden somewhere above a doorway you almost walked past.

Turkey or Türkiye?

You might have noticed that I use the word “Turkey” in this article. There is a simple reason for that: many English-speaking travelers still type “Turkey” into Google when planning their trips.

In 2022, the country’s official international name was changed from “Turkey” to “Türkiye.”Interestingly, the discussion started long before the official change in 2022. A Turkish woman living in the US, Şevkiye Sun, known as Şevkiye Teyze campaigned for the use of “Türkiye” after seeing Turkish children being teased because turkey means the bird (hindi in Turkish). Her story and her determination to stand up for the name Türkiye are definitely worth knowing. You can watch Şevkiye Teyze’s story here.

Istanbul the Capital of Turkey?

This is one of the most common questions about the city: Is Istanbul the capital of Turkey No. The capital of Turkey is Ankara, not Istanbul. I can understand why people get confused, though. Istanbul is much larger, internationally more famous and home to some of Turkey’s most recognizable landmarks. But Ankara has been the capital of the Republic of Turkey since 1923. So Istanbul might feel like the center of everything sometimes, but officially, it isn’t the capital.

Was Istanbul Ever the Capital of Turkey?

This is where it gets more interesting. Technically, Istanbul was never the capital of the modern Republic of Turkey. But the city was an imperial capital for centuries. As Constantinople, it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, the city became the capital of the Ottoman Empire. And it remained the Ottoman capital until the end of the empire.

When the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, Ankara became its capital. So when you’re standing somewhere in Istanbul looking at an enormous Ottoman mosque, an old city wall or a centuries-old building squeezed between modern shops, remember: You’re walking through what was once the center of an empire. And I think you can still feel that.