Istanbul is a vibrant city with many things to do and see: from the stunning mosques, over the colourful area of Balat, to the iconic Galata Tower. If you’re a photographer or content creator, I’m sure you’ll be convinced to book a trip to Istanbul after you’ve read this post! Here are my top 7 recommended photo spots in Istanbul.
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1. Ortakoy Mosque
Let’s kick off with one of the most stunning mosques in Istanbul: Ortakoy Mosque. This Mosque is located at the waterside of the city and can be admired at the pier square of Ortakoy (picture below) or from a boat.
Ortakoy Mosque is open for visitors and even though I did not go inside myself, from what I’ve heard and seen in pictures, a visit is totally worth your time.
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2. Seven Hills restaurant
Another must-visit is Seven Hills restaurant. From the rooftop terrace of this restaurant, you can spot both Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (and also the sea!). The views are incredible and the breakfast was as amazing as it looks. Definitely a great spot for photos.
If you still want to admire the views, but want to skip breakfast: it is allowed to come up, take a few shots and go back down again. There is a dedicated section to take photos and feed the seagulls.
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We paid €15 pp for this breakfast, which was a great price-value in my opinion.
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3. Süleymaniy Mosque
Süleymaniy Mosque is the second largest mosque in Istanbul and was my favourite one to admire. There are many great spots to take some photos, but the entrance door is the best viewpoint to capture the impressive architecture.
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This place can get pretty busy. If you want to admire it by yourself or don’t want other people in your shot, I recommend to come early in the morning.
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4. Nova Şantiye cafe
Next on the list: Nova Şantiye cafe. This restaurant serves food and drinks all day and offers some amazing views over the city. They also have this stunning terrace where you can take photos and videos. Note that a small fee is charged.
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The staff is super friendly. They even take photos & videos for/of you. And they definitely know what they’re doing…
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5. Hagia Sophia
Closely located to Blue Mosque, you’ll find Hagia Sophia. This mosque is a true beauty from the outside and inside. At Sultanahmet Square, you can admire Hagia Sophia from a stunning and green environment while taking the perfect shot.
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Hagia Sophia is open for visitors and is free of charge. Do make sure to dress appropriate when visiting a mosque: shoulders and knees must be covered and women must cover their head hair as well.
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From the Seven Hills restaurant, you have an amazing view of Hagia Sophia.
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6. Balat
The district of Balat is a must-visit when in Istanbul. This colourful area is the dream of every content creator. Aside from the many photo spots, Balat has a variety of cute restaurants, bars and shops.
You can easily spend a few hours here: wander around the cobblestoned streets and find the many colourful highlights in the area.
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7. Galata Tower
One of the many iconic buildings in Istanbul is the Galata Tower. You can spot this beauty from different parts in Istanbul. This particular street is called Büyük Hendek Cd and does get very crowded during the day as it’s a touristic spot with many restaurants and cafés.
Definitly come early if you want a shot in this street without other people. I took this picture at 7AM and it was still a bit of a challenge due to early tourists and many passing vehicles.
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Which photo spot do you like the most? Let me know in the comments!
Are you planning a trip to Istanbul? I’ll share more blogposts soon, so stay tuned! Follow me on Instagram to get notified every time I share a new blogpost.
Also read: The best photo spots in Cappadocia