Istanbul Current

Photo credits

Original licensed photographs bring these stories to life. Creator and licence links are retained below and alongside the photographs.

A public ferry passes Istanbul’s waterfront.Photo: SegLig, CC BY 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet, one of the historic day’s main choices.Photo: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Galata Tower from street level. This route treats it as an exterior landmark.Photo: Jorge Láscar, CC BY-SA 2.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Evening light on the Moda waterfront, photographed in April 2026.Photo: Kadı, CC BY 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Karaköy from Galata Bridge, with ferries along the shore. September 2024.Photo: Diego Delso · delso.photo, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
The close-set façades of Karaköy. October 2021.Photo: Metuboy, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
A passenger ferry on the Bosphorus below Cihangir, June 2025. An illustration of ferry travel, not a confirmed sailing on the routes below.Photo: SegLig, CC BY 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
A T1 tram passes Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet, photographed on 26 March 2024.Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Galata Tower above the surrounding streets. The tower is an introduction to the hillside neighbourhood.Photo: Jorge Láscar, CC BY-SA 2.0. · Original photograph · Licence
İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu, photographed on 14 August 2023.Photo: Antimuonium, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
A food stall in Kadıköy market, photographed on 29 April 2025. Visible prices belong to the 2025 photograph.Historical photograph; displayed prices are not current. Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Evening light on Moda’s waterfront, photographed in April 2026.Photo: Kadı, CC BY 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Shops and cafés frame Büyükada’s ferry terminal, May 2025.Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Heybeliada at dusk, seen from the Sea of Marmara in July 2025.Photo: Janabaevazizbek, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
A café-lined street near Burgazada’s ferry pier, May 2022.Photo: Oystercard, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Palms line Kınalıada’s waterfront, April 2014.Photo: Radosław Botev; rights holder: Fundacja Kontroli Społecznej „Nomos”, CC BY 3.0 PL. · Original photograph · Licence
Istanbul Modern’s Karaköy building, photographed in August 2023.Photo: Antoloji, CC0 1.0 Universal. · Original photograph · Licence
Süleymaniye above the Eminönü waterfront, photographed in October 2015.Photo: Tevfik Teker, CC BY 3.0 Unported. · Original photograph · Licence
Hagia Sophia’s domes, supporting masses and minarets, photographed in April 2023, before the current major restoration campaign.Photo: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
A 2016 view of Sultanahmet’s central dome, surrounding semi-domes and repeated decoration.Photo: Pedro J Pacheco, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Residential façades and a covered arcade frame a courtyard at Topkapı, photographed in 2014.Photo: Rraj89, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Dolmabahçe’s ornamented Bosphorus façade, photographed from the water in August 2026.Photo: Joseolgon, CC BY 4.0. · Original photograph · Licence
Columns and visitor walkways in the Basilica Cistern after restoration, photographed in December 2022.Photo: Nan Palmero, CC BY 2.0 Generic. · Original photograph · Licence
A lamp seller's display and shoppers in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, photographed in 2014.Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Cafés and small frontages on Mumhane Street in Karaköy, photographed in November 2023.Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Fashion storefronts on Abdi İpekçi Avenue in Nişantaşı, photographed in October 2021.Photo: Metuboy, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Boats and breakwaters at Şile harbour, photographed in 2012.Photo: Nedim Ardoğa, CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported. · Original photograph · Licence
A winter woodland path in Polonezköy Nature Park, photographed in January 2023.Photo: Justinianus, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Selimiye Mosque’s west façade and a minaret in Edirne, photographed in April 2017.Photo: Dosseman (Dick Osseman), CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
An entrance to Koza Han in Bursa, photographed in 2010. Visible opening signage is historical, not current visitor information.Photo: Ibra~28, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Books and café seating inside Minoa Pera, photographed in May 2025.Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Salt Beyoğlu on İstiklal Caddesi, photographed in April 2024. Exterior of one of the cultural venues that houses the bookshop.Photo: Mtls88, CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. · Original photograph · Licence
Sümer Kitabevi in Istanbul’s Sahaflar Çarşısı, photographed in May 2025. A bookseller within the market, rather than a stand-in for the other shops in this guide.Photo: Janabaevazizbek, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. · Original photograph · Licence
Guitars and other instruments in a Galata music-shop window.Photo: Jwslubbock · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
The octagonal semahane interior at Galata Mevlevihanesi, with a wooden gallery and decorated ceiling.Photo: © Nevit Dilmen · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 3.0 Original title: Galata Mevlevihanesi, semahane 8354 Nevit.jpg.
A narrow stretch of Serdar-ı Ekrem Street lined with closely spaced buildings.Photo: Javier Losa · Original photograph · CC BY 2.0 Original title: Istanbul PB086323raw (4117238737).jpg.
A large arched window and ornate ceiling above a landing inside Salt Galata.Photo: İsnaaa · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
The ornate pale stone façade of Pera Museum viewed from the street.Photo: Pangaea W · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Arter’s pale geometric building in Dolapdere, with large windows and a patterned exterior.Photo: Flufoto · Original photograph · CC BY 4.0
Steps rise to the glazed entrance of Sakıp Sabancı Museum in Emirgan.Photo: Dosseman · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
A large log rests on an industrial wood-saw carriage at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum.Photo: Dosseman · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
An evening view along Çukurcuma Caddesi, with shopfronts and Galata Tower visible in the distance.Photo: Jokesolid · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
The symmetrical cream-coloured façade and entrances of Süreyya Opera House.Photo: Mark Ahsmann · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tram tracks follow Bahariye Street between shops and trees in Kadıköy.Photo: Antoloji · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Barış Manço House in Moda, seen behind its garden gate.Photo: Kadı · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Moda Pier’s waterfront building seen across the water through branches.Photo: Wiki leylek · Original photograph · CC BY 4.0
The passenger ferry ŞH-Fatih approaches Eminönü, with Istanbul’s waterfront behind it.Photo: Calistemon · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Boats moor beside the green banks at the mouth of the Yeşilçay River in Ağva.Photo: Nedim Ardoğa · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 3.0 Original title: Ağva Yeşilçay İstanbul Province.jpg.
Strings of dried aubergines and peppers hang in Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar.Photo: Miomir Magdevski · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Columns and arches line the entrance portico of Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque in Tophane.Photo: Metuboy · Original photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
Books and the entrance sign of Robinson Crusoe 389 inside Salt Beyoğlu.Photo: Mtls88 · Original photograph · CC0