Taking photos has become one of the favorite activities of most people since smartphones became widespread and fit in everyone’s pockets. The impact of social networking sites like Instagram on the popularity of this activity is of course indisputable. It is a fact that the new filters and new applications developed make us feel like a photographer. Especially if we live in a city like Istanbul.
İstanbul is a city admired by the whole world, a city that has its own unique order within its irregular appearance, a city that hides many beauties for those who know how to look and see. An old building from ancient times, a cat sheltering in a bookstore window, seagulls flying over the fish stands for a piece of fish… And not to mention the beauty of the Bosphorus and the splendor of the historical buildings. Hence, in this guide, which serves as a little reminder for those who have just started to develop this passion, we have compiled the most photogenic spots in Istanbul in order to inspire you a bit.
Büyükada
Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul’s islands known as the Princes’ Islands, is home to stunning views in every season (We especially recommend the spring months). St. Yorgi Church located on the hill of St. Yorgi, which is one of the prominent points of the island, is worth seeing and to be included in your photo archive. A wonderful view of Istanbul awaits you on the hill. There are also exquisite mansions you can photograph on the island and a Greek Orphanage, a large wooden building that has not been used for many years.
Karaköy
Karaköy neighborhood, which was an important port in Ottoman times, is probably one of the most rapidly changing parts of İstanbul in the last decade. The neighborhood, where third-generation coffee shops and traditional restaurants intertwine, is especially popular for university students. The Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate, Ceceyan Han, one of the most important buildings built by the Levantines, and the Historic Bankalar Street, with its buildings reminiscent of the streets of a European city, will add meaning to your Karaköy trip and help you capture shots that will brighten up your Instagram feed.
Ortaköy
If you want to photograph the Bosphorus more closely, your destination should definitely be Ortaköy. Imagine such a photo frame that includes the historical Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, the ferries, one of the symbols of Istanbul, and if you are lucky, some seagulls… If you want to catch the sunrise in Ortaköy, the sun rises a little to the left of the Bosphorus Bridge and after a while the sunlight hits the Mosque. As a result, it is possible to get very impressive photos when you get a good angle.
İstiklal Street
When talking about the most photogenic spots in Istanbul, it would not be possible to skip İstiklal Street. İstiklal Street, one of the busiest and most crowded points of the İstanbul metropolitan city, creates almost postcard frames of the city with its outstanding nostalgic tram, street artists, nostalgic buildings and shops. Every corner of İstiklal Street is almost a different photo subject. Çiçek Passage, St. Antuan Church, colorful Cezayir Street, Mısır Apartment will fill your photo frames.
Pierre Loti
Pierre Loti, named after the French writer Julien Viaud, who came to İstanbul in 1876 and settled here and is known for coming to a café on this hill, offers you a unique view of the Golden Horn. You can use the cable car to climb the hill, which dominates Istanbul from a different angle and attracts visitors with its beautiful view, and you can watch the city under your feet.
Otağtepe
Otağtepe, also known as Fatih Grove and located in the Beykoz district of Istanbul, is a perfect location to photograph the unique Bosphorus view of İstanbul. In Otağtepe, where you will have unique photos at any time of the day, there is a pond, stone bridge, walking paths in nature and viewing terraces besides the Bosphorus view.
Galata Streets
Galata streets are the place where you can capture in your photo frames the narrow cobblestone streets reflecting the nostalgic neighborhood culture of Istanbul and the Galata Tower, one of the symbols of the city. We recommend you to walk from Istiklal Street to the streets of Galata, where every point is a different photo frame, and to photograph the busiest and most prominent points of the city.
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Galata Tower
Galata Tower is one of Istanbul’s most iconic buildings and an important symbol that has witnessed the city’s history. Built in the 14th century by the Genoese, the tower was originally used as a watchtower for sailors. Approximately 67 meters high, Galata Tower offers its visitors a magnificent panoramic views of the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the historical peninsula. The tower, which was restored many times throughout history, now serves as a popular tourist attraction that attracts both local and foreign tourists with its restaurant, café and observation terrace. Galata Tower is a must-see historical monument that reflects the spirit of Istanbul.
When you visit Galata Tower, the panoramic view and the historical details inside will offer you amazing photo frames.
Kadıköy
Kadıköy is undoubtedly one of the most colorful places in the city. With colorful streets, glittering shops, nostalgic buildings, and cats on every street corner, it is one of the most photogenic spots of the city. The colorful stairs right next to Kayıkhane Cafe on Moda shore are one of the most popular spots for photography lovers. Haydarpaşa Train Station with its old trains full of graffiti, Fenerbahçe Park, Bahariye Street with its nostalgic tram, colorful bazaar and almost every street of Kadıköy will adorn your photo archive.
