Istanbul Instagram Spots: The Best Photography Sites in the City
Istanbul is full of Instagram spots and photography opportunities. The massive city is home to vibrant neighborhoods, which blend history, religion, art, and culture.
The photogenic nature of Istanbul is well-known, so if you’re looking for space and IG photos without a crowd, arrive at sunrise to these great spots!
Istanbul Photographers to Hire
Istanbul is home to talented photographers, who can lead you to their favorite spots for photo shoots. These two options get all 5-star reviews:
Istanbul’s Balat Neighborhood
Balat is a great Istanbul Instagram spot, with its colorful neighborhoods located on the city’s European side. You’ll find a mix of cultures, with vibrant streets, charming cafes, and historic architecture.
You’ll find Balat buzzing with photographers and models, gravitating to several of its well-known landmarks.
I’m purposely leaving the people in the photos below so you can get an idea of the crowds you’ll find.
Colorful Houses
Balat is famous for its rows of brightly painted houses, particularly on streets like Kiremit Street and Merdivenli Yokus. These Ottoman-era homes with wooden shutters and bay windows make for stunning backdrops.
Steep Cobblestone Streets
Winding, sloped alleys give the neighborhood an old-world charm, perfect for capturing the essence of historic Istanbul.
Street Art & Murals
Scattered throughout Balat, you’ll find unique graffiti and murals adding a modern artistic touch to the historic setting.
Istanbul Views for Photos: Terraces & Rooftops
A variety of hotels and restaurants offer rooftop views of the city skyline, Bosphorus, and mosques, which make for great Instagram and photography backdrops.
- Cronton Design Hotel – Beautiful view from the restaurant’s terrace, which is open to the public.
- Seven Hills Restaurant – A top spot for capturing Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from above.
- Mikla – Rooftop bar.
- 360 Istanbul – Rooftop bar.
Many more hotels, like the Orientbank Autograph Collection, also have rooftops with sweeping views of Istanbul, which photographers will love … especially on a cloudy day or at sunrise/sunset.
Basilica Cistern: Go Underground for IG
The Basilica Cistern is one of my favorite “touristy” sites to visit in Istanbul. I’m amazed by both the ancient architecture and the Cistern’s modern development into a tourist draw.
The Cistern was a water reservoir built in the 6th century to store water for Constantinople.
I was really impressed with the way they’ve designed the tourist experience. You’ll be walking on metal pathways just above the water in the cistern.
They’ve created an almost mystical space, with a constantly changing light display. Plus, while it doesn’t mean much for photography, hearing the constant water drops into the pool adds to the underground experience.
While there’s almost always a crowd at the Basilica Cistern, they’ve setup the walkways over the water to create photography opportunities *without* people in the background.
As always, arriving early will get you in before the bigger crowds gather.
Galata Bridge at Sunrise or Sunset
The Galata Bridge connects two of Istanbul’s most famous and vibrant neighborhoods: Karakoy and Eminonu.
It’s an excellent spot for photography in Istanbul, offering dynamic views, vibrant street life, and iconic landmarks in the background. The bridge spans the Golden Horn, so you’ll get good photos with the water, skylines, and mosques on both sides.
The bridge is full of seagulls swooping over the water, and it’s usually lined with local fishermen. It adds to the authentic experience as you cross, looking for moments to capture.
At night, the bridge lights up, and the reflections of city lights on the water create stunning long-exposure shots.
The underside of the bridge is lined with seafood restaurants, offering interesting angles of people dining with a view.
The bridge is one of the best places in the city to capture a fiery sunset or the transition into twilight.
Photography Around Istanbul’s Mosques
Istanbul is home to hundreds of Mosques, and they’re generally open to the public.
It goes without saying, but of course you should remember: these are houses of worship. Going in, understanding how to respect the space and people is a must. Plus, remember: women will have to wear headscarves, and you’ll have to take your shoes off inside.
While the Blue Mosque is the most famous, it’ll be crowded most of the time.
The Süleymaniye Mosque in the busy Eminonu neighborhood is a great spot for photography.
The largest mosque is relatively new, and sits perched on a hill above the city. The Grand Camlica Mosque is more of a hassle to get to in the Üsküdar District. It’ll require a taxi or Uber, but the visuals outside (and inside) are stunning.
Vibrant Neighborhood: Uskudar (on the Asian side)
I’d recommend taking the ferry (or metro) to Istanbul’s Asian side. The Uskudar neighborhood is full of colorful shops and restaurants. Plus, the bakeries are amazing.
*PRO TIP* : I’d suggest going toward the corner of İcadiye Cd. & Tufan Sk. Plug that into a map app and you’ll find tree-lined streets and great photo opportunities.
Something to keep in mind for Uskudar and other great IG/photography sites in Istanbul: the whole area experiences winter. While the winter months are still great for a visit, you won’t have leaves on trees, flowers, etc. (as seen in the photo above).
Coastal Photos on the Princes’ Islands
The Princes’ Islands are a series of islands in the Sea of Marmara. They’re easy to get to via ferry from Istanbul. You’ll find beaches, cliffside cafes, bike paths, and charming cafes lining the streets.
Buyukada is the largest island, and it’ll take nearly 2-hours to get there on the ferry from Istanbul. Still, it’ll provide different kinds of photography options from the rest of your visit to Istanbul.
You’ll also find old mansions lining the scenic streets.
Cappadocia: Turkey’s Most Famous Instagram Spot
Cappadocia is in Central Turkey. It’s an easy one-hour flight from Istanbul, and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Turkey.
Cappadocia’s town of Göreme is a famous Instagram photography spot, mostly for the sunrise hot air balloon launch every morning.
Staying in Carus or one of the other cave hotels will also provide you with excellent photography opportunities! Just check out the pool alone!
Spots to Avoid for Photography
If you’re looking for photogenic spots without having a crowd in the way, I’d avoid these spots. Keep in mind, they’re still worth visiting … just not for photography purposes.
The Blue Mosque
The famous mosque is beautiful, but also draws a large crowd. There generally won’t be an opportunity to get photos without a lot of other people in them.
Hamams (Turkish Baths)
While you’ll find beautiful settings inside a traditional Turkish bath house, they generally don’t allow photography inside.
