Istanbul’s “lesser-known” attractions would be superstar sights in any other city. Here are nine world-class spots most visitors walk right past.
Istanbul’s reputation precedes it — Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern. But this city’s heritage runs so deep that even its “minor” attractions are world class. Here are nine under-the-radar spots that reward the curious traveller.
1. Rüstem Paşa Mosque
Navigate the warren of streets west of the Spice Bazaar and climb a twisting staircase to find one of Mimar Sinan’s jewels, built in 1563 for Süleyman the Magnificent’s grand vizier. Its walls blaze with blue İznik tiles whose beauty rivals — many say surpasses — the famous Blue Mosque, without the crowds.
2. Perili Köşk (The “Haunted Mansion”)
Beneath the second Bosphorus bridge stands a red-brick mansion with a fairy-tale turret, built in 1911 for a pasha. It earned its “haunted” nickname during the near-century it stood unfinished after WWI drafted away the empire’s craftsmen. Today it houses the Borusan Contemporary art collection, open to the public on weekends.
3. Kasımpaşa & Bomonti Food Markets
Among Istanbul’s countless street markets, two stand out: the Sunday-morning Kasımpaşa market, where vendors drive produce and Black Sea mushrooms 300 miles overnight from Kastamonu; and the Bomonti organic market, a treasure chest of artisanal cheeses, honey and heirloom vegetables.
4. The Ecumenical Patriarchate
In the old Greek quarter of Fener sits the spiritual centre of the world’s Orthodox Christians. The Church of St George within the Patriarchate compound is modest outside and dazzling inside, with a gilded iconostasis and relics dating back to Byzantium.
5. The Eyüp District
Up the Golden Horn, Eyüp is one of Istanbul’s holiest districts, built around the tomb of Eyüp Sultan, companion of the Prophet. Climb (or take the cable car) to Pierre Loti Hill at sunset for a tea with the finest Golden Horn panorama in the city.
6. Balıklı Rum Kilisesi (Zoodochus Pege)
Outside the old city walls, this Greek Orthodox shrine is built over a sacred spring (ayazma) where fish swim in the holy water — legend says they leapt from a monk’s frying pan at the news of Constantinople’s fall. A hauntingly beautiful, rarely visited site.
7. Kuzguncuk
On the Asian shore, Kuzguncuk is Istanbul’s village-within-the-city: pastel wooden houses, bougainvillea-draped cafés, and a single street where a mosque, church and synagogue have stood side by side for generations — the city’s old multicultural soul, intact.
8. The Bar at the Grand Hotel de Londres
Time-travel to the 19th century at this gloriously faded Beyoğlu institution near Pera. Velvet armchairs, chandeliers, caged songbirds and a terrace with Golden Horn views — order a drink and imagine Agatha Christie-era Constantinople.
9. Mısır Apartmanı’s Art Galleries
On İstiklal Avenue, this magnificent Art Nouveau block (built 1910 for the Khedive of Egypt) hides floors of contemporary art galleries. Ride the vintage elevator, gallery-hop your way up, and finish with a rooftop view over the historic peninsula.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best non-touristy things to do in Istanbul?
Visit Rüstem Paşa Mosque, the Fener and Balat quarters with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the village-like Kuzguncuk on the Asian side, and local food markets like Kasımpaşa and Bomonti.
Is the Asian side of Istanbul worth visiting?
Definitely — neighbourhoods like Kuzguncuk and Kadıköy offer authentic local life, great food and Bosphorus views without the old-city crowds.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
Three days covers the icons; five lets you add hidden gems like Eyüp, Fener-Balat and the Asian shore at a relaxed pace.
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