12 Secret Things to Do in Istanbul No One Knows About (2025)

Tired of the tourist traps? Istanbul has hidden gems where locals go to breathe, walk, and relax. Skip the crowds and head to these spots.

1. Read a Book in English at İstanbul Kitapçısı İskele

Enjoy Istanbul’s unique bookshop-cafe-workspaces housed in historic ferry stations. Grab a book or coffee and relax with a view of the Bosphorus. Top locations:

• Eminönü (location)
• Kadıköy (location)
• Karaköy (location)
• Moda (location)
• Beşiktaş (location)

2. Wander the Nostalgic Streets of Kuzguncuk

• Location: Kuzguncuk, İcadiye Cd., 34674 Üsküdar/İstanbul

Kuzguncuk, on the Asian side, offers colorful houses, narrow streets, and cozy cafes. Explore art shops, taste Turkish coffee, and mingle with friendly locals in this quiet escape from the city’s hustle.

3. Stroll in Yeniköy

• Location: Yeniköy, Köybaşı Cd. No:167, 34277 Sarıyer/İstanbul

Known for its serene Bosphorus shoreline and charming cafes, Yeniköy gives you a glimpse of Istanbul’s more relaxed, village-like side. A place to take a slow walk, enjoy seaside views, and grab brunch in one of its local eateries.

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4. Yedikule Fortress and the Golden Gate of Constantinople

• Location: Yedikule, Yedikule Meydanı Sk. No:9, 34107 Fatih/İstanbul

Yedikule Fortress, also known as Yedikule Castle, is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Built immediately after the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed II in the 15th century, this fortress has seen many roles throughout its history—first as a treasury and archive, later as a prison and a site for executions. Today, it’s one of Istanbul’s oldest museums, dating back to 1895.

Right next to the entrance of Yedikule Fortress is a hidden historical treasure — the Golden Gate of Constantinople. This ancient triumphal arch was part of the city’s grand entrance and a key symbol of Byzantine glory. However, it’s not easily accessible; to see the gate, you need to climb up to the top of the ancient moat on the grounds of an old Ottoman cemetery.

Pro tip: The climb is not part of regular tourist routes, so you’re guaranteed an authentic experience and some truly one-of-a-kind shots.

5. Pera Museum

• Location: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

Located in Beyoğlu, Pera Museum hosts diverse collections, such as Anatolian weights and measures, Ottoman coffee cups, and 17th-19th century Turkish paintings. Don’t miss Osman Hamdi Bey’s painting “The Tortoise Trainer,” one of Turkey’s most famous artworks.

6. Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park

• Location: Piri Reis, Tuzla Cd. No:297, 41700 Darıca/Kocaeli

This zoo and botanical garden in Darıca, open since 1993, is home to over 130 animal species and 700 individual animals. Well-kept and spacious, the zoo offers a family-friendly experience with cafes and relaxation areas.

7. Hidiv Kasrı and the Hidiv Grove

• Location: Çubuklu, 34805 Beykoz/İstanbul

Hidiv Kasrı is an Art Nouveau mansion on a hill in Çubuklu, built in 1907 for Abbas Hilmi Pasha, the Egyptian governor. It’s currently being restored, so you can’t enter the mansion. But the real treasure is the park around it.

The grove has walking trails, picnic zones, and hundreds of plants and trees. There’s also a café and an artificial waterfall. It’s clean, green, and peaceful, with breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.

8. Hanım Sultanlar Museum

• Location: Sahil, Aziz Mahmut Hüdai Mahallesi Şemsipaşa Caddesi No:2 Nevmekan, 34660 Üsküdar
• Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (closed on Mondays).

This museum in Üsküdar opened in 2019 and showcases miniature dolls of Ottoman sultans, their wives, mothers, and daughters, dressed in period clothing. The doll outfits are handmade and historically accurate, sewn by artists, weavers, and jewelers.

Located inside a library, the museum is cozy. To find it, just walk through the library and enter the courtyard.

9. Nakaştepe Park: For the Best View

• Location: Kuzguncuk, Gümüşyolu Çk Sk No:4, 34674 Üsküdar/İstanbul

If you want a panoramic view of Istanbul without the crowds, Nakaştepe Park is the place to go. It’s a quiet park with a fantastic vantage point, where you can see the Bosphorus in its full glory. Whether it’s for a morning walk or to watch the sun set over the city, this park offers a calm space to take in the city from above.

10. Coastal Walk from Fenerbahçe to Bostancı

• Location: Fenerbahçe, Kuru Kahveci Sk., 34726 Kadıköy/İstanbul

For those who love walking, take a long stroll along the coast from Fenerbahçe to Bostancı. This stretch of waterfront is perfect for enjoying the city’s skyline and the distant Princes’ Islands. It’s also ideal for biking or a leisurely walk, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the air is cool and the scenery is stunning.

11. Beautiful Mosques with Views

Istanbul’s mosques are not just places of worship — they offer some of the best views of the city. Here are a few you should visit:

• Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii): A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture with a breathtaking view of the Golden Horn.
• Camlica Mosque (Çamlıca Camii): The largest mosque in Turkey, perched on a hill, offering expansive views of both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
• Ortaköy Mosque (Ortakoy Camii): Situated right by the Bosphorus, with the water and the Bosphorus Bridge as its backdrop.
• Selim Yavuz Mosque (Selim Yavuz Cami): A lesser-known mosque with a tranquil atmosphere and equally stunning views.

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Istanbul’s Cisterns: Hidden Underground Treasures

The cisterns of Istanbul are like something out of a fairy tale — mysterious, atmospheric, and often overlooked. Here are two to check out:

• Gülhane Park Cistern: Close to the Topkapi Palace, this ancient water reservoir hides beneath the surface, with its columns and echoes of history. (location)
• Nakkaş Cistern: A free-to-enter cistern located under the Nakkaş Carpet Store. This space has an eerie, magical quality, and it’s a good idea to book a visit in advance to avoid waiting. It’s perfect for a quick, mysterious escape from the bustling city streets. (location)

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Venice in Istanbul: Venezia Mega Outlet

• Location: Karadeniz, Eski Edirne Asf. No:408, 34250 Gaziosmanpaşa/İstanbul
• Pro tip: You can take a gondola ride through the canals surrounded by shops.
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00.

Want to shop and experience Venice without leaving Istanbul? The Venezia Mega Outlet is your answer. Located on the outskirts of the city, this shopping complex mimics a quaint Venetian town, complete with canals and gondolas. It’s a great place for bargain shopping from top brands and offers more than just retail therapy—restaurants, a cinema, and a playground make it a perfect spot for a full day out.

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