The city of Istanbul is brimming with picturesque locations, from Anadoluhisari (Anatolian Castle) to its sister building across the Bosphorus, Rumelihisari (Rumelian Castle); from Emirgan Korusu (Emirgan Park) in the Sariyer district to Yildiz Park, which adorns Beşiktaş; from the neighbourhoods that embellish the shores of the Istanbul Strait, such as Arnavutköy and Bebek.
We’ve gathered these photoshoots for you and made an effort to include a setting that would work for any occasion or dream. For more information about where in Istanbul to find the most beautiful land and coastlines, please keep reading, but before that, apply for a turkey visa online.
The ancient fortress, Anadoluhisari, also called Güzelce Hisar (the Beauteous Castle), is situated in the Bosphorus Istanbul. The stronghold was known as “Anadolu” by the people of Istanbul, who refer to the Asian region of the nation by that name. The Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I authorized its building as a watchtower as part of his preparations to encircle the Byzantine city of Constantinople (now Istanbul), making it the oldest surviving structure in Istanbul.
The stronghold and its sibling building, Rumelihisari, will always impress you as a photography location, whether you desire a street view or just a picture taken from the centre of the Bosphorus. Rumelihisari, which faces Anadoluhisari from across the Bosphorus, was constructed at the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II’s request and intended to cooperate with its elder sister. It is also known as Bogazkesen Castle (Strait-Blocker), and it is the most magnificent building ever. You can take the picture in parts of Istanbul with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in the background.
These two fortresses are surrounded by some beachfront districts, such as Beykoz, which offer the best vantage points for viewing the Bosphorus (or are surrounded by it). Of the two bridges, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Bosphorus Bridge (formally known as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge), these areas provide the most picturesque views.
With its Bosphorus perspective, Istanbul’s Cengelköy district on the Asian side has captured photographers’ hearts for years. Numerous cafes and restaurants are located along its beach, and their verandas provide picture-perfect views of the Bosphorus. The coastlines of Istanbul are decorated with multiple additional homes and villas just waiting to be found and taken.
The village is renowned for its wooden homes, samples of Ottoman architecture, and the Kuleli Military High School, which dates back to 1845 and is now a museum.
On the European side, various historic structures welcome photographers with the most beautiful natural settings and unique architectural features.
With its historic trams, Galata Tower, and streets that show an unmatched history outside of Istanbul, Beyoglu should be a photographer’s first stop. Istiklal Street is the most well-known of these streets. The streetcar serves an aesthetic function with its history, shape, vibrant red colour, and significance as a mode of transit. The Galata Tower, once the tallest building in the city, provides a 360-degree view of Istanbul.
Beyoglu is renowned for its arcades, which showcase a range of trends and provide insight into the region’s history.
Additionally, we suggest you use the nearby Rainbow Stairs and Kamondo Stairs, which offer an excellent opportunity to capture an unmatched Instagrammable picture.
According to legend, a banker named Kamondo had the steps built so his grandkids might use them as a shortcut to get to school. Whatever his intention, the stairs significantly contribute to the city’s urban fabric, especially that of the Karaköy district.
Ihlamur Kasri, a former imperial Ottoman summer palace in Beşiktaş, welcomes visitors who wish to snap photographs or have their images taken. The pavilions, built under Sultan Abdülmecid I (1839–1860), are one of the most magnificent examples of Ottoman structures from the 19th century, with architectural details recalling the Neo-Baroque movement.
Here is a short list of Istanbul’s most beautiful parks and woods if you wish to see more green space: Yildiz Park, Maçka Democracy Park, Gülhane Park, Atatürk Arboretum, and Belgrade Forest. If you want fresh air and fulfil your desire to snap gorgeous images of Istanbul, they are only a few stops from the city’s most important locations.
The seagulls are the most photogenic animals you will ever see, and it would be a good idea to take a ferry from Asia to the European side to see them swooping down for a bit of simit (Turkish bagels).
Süleymaniye, Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, and Ortaköy Mosque are three of Istanbul’s most well-known mosques, and they all have decorated exteriors and interiors that match any other architectural marvel.
You’ll always feel as though you need to take more pictures to adequately capture the beauty of these works of art because of their religious significance, which gives them an aura. Near and around these mosques, there are a lot of rooftops where it’s simple to get the nicest seascapes and aerial shots of the mosques.
The Topkapi Palace, which functioned as the Ottoman sultans’ primary palace and administrative centre for centuries, can be found directly behind the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, near the far end of the historic hippodrome in the Fatih district. It records a significant amount of history and begs for your recording. Additionally, close by, inside the Topkapi Palace’s outer walls, is the Tiled Kiosk. It is an excellent resource for photographers because it includes numerous samples of Iznik tiles and Seljuk poetry.
Take the tram to the Baharatçilar Bazaar, Kapali Bazaar, and the side bazaars leading them to experience the local cuisine, handicrafts, and Ottoman architecture, the three things that best define Istanbul. In its Ottoman era, Misir Carşisi used to sell spices brought from Egypt; for this reason, it is also sometimes referred to as the Egyptian Bazaar.
Good if you still need to please your inner photographer. There are still several available spaces to suggest to you. Visit Haliç (also known as the Golden Horn) to view the Balat district’s winding, vibrant streets, a cultural mosaic decorated with various Jewish and Greek heritages. Continue your journey towards the district of Eyüp, where Pierre Loti Tepesi (Pierre Loti Hill) is located. This popular gathering place offers a panoramic view of the Golden Horn and serves Turkish coffee brewed on hot sand. The French novelist Pierre Loti, who lived in Istanbul for a while and visited the area, is credited with giving the hill its name.
You believed you had finished with Istanbul? Avoid doing so since Istanbul will always have cameras! The Prince Islands, also known as Adalar, are situated on the shore of Istanbul and are considered a part of the city. They are Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada, respectively. They are all reachable by the same boat. We advise you to get off in Büyükada, the largest of all, and explore its historic structures and pristine landscape.
Apply for a turkey visa online, pack your bags and book a flight is all necessary to begin a fantastic vacation.