21 Stunning Spots for Photos of Istanbul

Istanbul is one of those cities that feels endlessly photogenic, no matter where you point your camera. From historic mosques and colorful streets to ferry rides across the Bosphorus and glowing sunsets over the skyline, photos of Istanbul city capture a rare mix of cultures, eras, and energy all in one frame.

With colorful stairs and vibrant facades, Istanbul is a city bursting with color on one end, and is also beautifully contrasted with its historic architecture that date back centuries. From grand mosques to breathtaking rooftops, this city is really exciting to photograph.

In this photo guide, we are diving into the best places, angles, and moments for capturing unforgettable photos of Istanbul city. Whether you love architecture, street photography, food shots, or dreamy skyline views, Istanbul offers countless moments to capture. This guide is designed to help you see the city through a photographer’s lens, even if you are just snapping photos on your phone.

An Intro to Taking Pictures of Istanbul City

Are you ready to learn all about taking the perfect pictures in Istanbul? Before diving into the best photo spots around the city, let’s cover a few basics so you can plan your trip and make the most of your time behind the camera while capturing photos of Istanbul city.

🤩 What is Istanbul Known For?

Istanbul is known for its incredible blend of cultures, history, and architecture, sitting right at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The city is famous for its grand mosques like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, colorful neighborhoods, bustling bazaars, and scenic ferry rides across the Bosphorus. 

Unlike anywhere else in the world, photos of Istanbul city often capture centuries of history layered into a single frame.

Each area of the city has its own unique photo opportunities, from the historic streets of Sultanahmet to the vibrant cafés of Karaköy and the pastel houses of Balat. This variety is what makes Istanbul such a rewarding destination for photographers.

📸 Is Istanbul Worth Visiting for Photography?

Istanbul is a paradise for photographers of all kinds. Whether you love architecture, street photography, food photography, or skyline shots, the city offers endless opportunities. One moment you can be photographing ornate domes and minarets, and the next you are capturing everyday life along the waterfront or inside a local market.

Capturing photos of Istanbul City is even more fun due to the constant movement. Whether it's ferries sailing by, seagulls flying overhead, or locals haggling with customers, the motion in this city adds another layer of beauty to each moment captured there.

🚁 Can I Use a Drone in Istanbul?

Drone use in Istanbul is pretty restricted. Flying drones near historic sites, crowded areas, or anywhere close to airports and government buildings is not allowed without special permits. Because of this, most photos of Istanbul city are best captured from viewpoints, rooftops, ferries, and hills rather than from the air.

If you do want to fly your drone, we recommend consulting with local authorities, and flying far away. We used the zoom on ours to make certain places look much closer, so we were able to capture photos of Istanbul City's most beloved sites.

📍 Where Are the Best Places to Take Photos in Istanbul?

Some of the most iconic photos of Istanbul city come from viewpoints overlooking the Bosphorus, particularly from rooftops, as well as photos along the river. But apart from that, the beauty of Istanbul lies in the smaller moments. 

From classic skyline shots to hidden corners in lesser known neighborhoods, the best photos of Istanbul typically come from those who take their time to explore.

There are famous landmarks, of course, but some of the most memorable photos come from quiet backstreets, local cafés, ferry decks, and moments of daily life. In the sections below, we will share the best spots, angles, and photo ideas to help you capture Istanbul at its most magical.

Where to Capture the Best Pictures of Istanbul City

Istanbul is one of those rare cities where every corner feels photogenic. From colorful neighborhoods and hidden staircases to grand mosques and sweeping Bosphorus views, photos of Istanbul city capture an incredible mix of history, culture, and everyday life. 

Below are the best places to take photos in Istanbul, ranging from iconic landmarks to lesser known spots that add wonder and color to your photography guide.

1. Colored Houses of Balat

The pastel painted houses of Balat are some of the most recognizable scenes in photos of Istanbul city. This particular courtyard is our favorite, with a variety of pastel facades lined up one by one.

For the most ideal photos, we'd recommend having a wider lens, and also visiting early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid harsh shadow contrasts.

2. Colorful Stairs of Balat

These hand painted stairs are a fun and adorable photo stop. They add a pop of color to your Istanbul photography and are best captured early in the morning before the crowds arrive. There are also many cats in Istanbul, so a good chance you'll have the opportunity to include one of them in your shots!

3. Colorful Umbrellas of Balat

The colorful stairs of Balat became so popular, that just next door they recently installed a splash of color as well. The little courtyard is now home to vibrantly painted gazebos and rainbow umbrellas dangling over them, along with a bright pink car, and a 360 photo booth.

Do keep in mind that if you want to capture photos here you'll have to be a customer, and they get particularly stricter in the afternoons when it's most busy.

4. Merdivenli Yks.

This is another popular photo spot in the neighborhood of Balat, but with more muted pastels. This steep, historic staircase in Balat has beautiful architecture, and is perfectly photographed by standing further down and zooming in, which really accents the symmetrical design of the buildings.

5. Rainbow Stairs of Eminonu

As you can see, some of the best pictures of Istanbul City are those that show a burst of color, and there really is no shortage here. These bright stairs are located closer to the center, connecting two streets with joy and vibrant shades of various colors. It's perfect for a quick stop, and to be combined without next photo spot.

6. Rooftop at Taht Istanbul

Have you seen those dramatic rooftop photos of women in elegant dresses surrounded by seagulls with panoramic views? Well, contrary to popular belief, this is not a restaurant, but actually a photo studio. 

This rooftop is famous for its props, rugs, and views over the Bosphorus, which is particularly stunning in the morning. It is a popular spot for curated photos of Istanbul city with a classic rooftop aesthetic, with beautiful dresses for rent.

7. Rooftop Galata

Across the river near Galata Tower there is another rooftop that is famous for its fabulous photoshoots. Just like Taht Istanbul, Rooftop Galata offers full-blown photo productions with gorgeous gowns, stunning views, and lots of seagulls.

8. Galata Tower

One of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, Galata Tower looks incredible from both ground level and surrounding streets. It is a must have shot for any Istanbul photography guide. For capturing it in its most ideal state, you should head here as early as possible!

9. Bosphorus Bridge

Photographing the Bosphorus Bridge is an absolute must if you're looking for iconic photos of Istanbul City. Not only is it fun to capture the bridge itself, but walking along the bridge allows you to get some even more angles of both sides of Istanbul. It symbolizes the connection between Europe and Asia, and also has a special spot that we particularly love.

Head to the middle of the bridge and there is a set of stairs that leads down to a platform that juts out from underneath the bridge, giving you incredible panoramas to photograph. It's particularly stunning at sunset, as you can see the sun setting in the background behind the other Ataturk Bridge.

10. Bosphorus Cruise

A Bosphorus cruise offers endless photo opportunities, and is one of the best things to do in Istanbul for a mis of relaxation and photography. You get to sail up and down the river admiring both the Asian and European side of Istanbul, along with a variety of palaces, mosques, and waterfront mansions. 

It is one of the best ways to capture wide, scenic photos of Istanbul city, and a budget-friendly bucket list activity that all travelers should enjoy while visiting.

11. Umbrella Street

This small street decorated with umbrellas creates a colorful canopy overhead. It is a fun and quick photo stop, especially for vibrant travel shots of the Karakoy neighborhood of Istanbul.

12. Yerebatan Cd.

This street boasts a burst of color right in the heart of Istanbul's center. It's located near major landmarks, and has 3 restaurants with colorful facades and chairs to compliment them.

13. The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of the most photographed places in Istanbul, and cannot be missed! Capture it from the courtyard, nearby streets, or during sunrise for soft light and fewer crowds. We also love how it lights up at night, and due to its location you can grab shots from a variety of angles, each with its own beauty.

14. Dolmabahce Palace

This palace is perfect for elegant, grand photos. The combination of architecture, gardens, and waterfront views makes it one of the top places for photos of Istanbul city. You'll really want to head here early, because we went maybe an hour after they opened and it was completely packed! 

These two photos are just at the entrance, but inside holds even more stunning photo opportunities.

15. Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

Located near Ortaköy, this mosque is one of the out favorite photo spots in Istanbul! It offers incredible views with the Bosphorus Bridge behind it, and It is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.

16. Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of architecture and history, and is one of the top sites for your Istanbul itinerary. Photos here feel powerful and timeless, whether you focus on details or wide exterior shots.

17. Suleymaniye Mosque

This mosque is another one of our favorites, with an absolutely stunning interior. You'll need to be covered from head to toe to enter, and you should bring a wide lens to capture the entire inside with the dome included.

18. Topkapi Palace

With its courtyards, gates, and Bosphorus views, Topkapi Palace offers a mix of royal history and scenic photography opportunities. It's one of the top things to do in Istanbul, and gets REALLY crowded, so for the best photos, you should head there really early, or right before they close.

19. Arnavutkoy

This neighborhood along the Bosphorus is known for wooden houses and a more local, relaxed vibe. It is perfect for capturing everyday life and charming waterfront scenes, making it one of the best places for photos of Istanbul City's quieter side.

But aside from the beauty of the neighborhood itself, lies a small gem. These homes sit on a tiny body of water, making you feel as if you've teleported to a quaint European village.

20. Yildiz Cerceve (Arnavutkoy)

Head uphill inside the neighborhood of Arnavutkoy and you'll get to see some truly unique vistas! The street Yildiz Cervece offers this stunning view, to be captured with a telephoto lens. You can also simply wander around and also find your own unique shots though!

21. Secret Rooftop View in Istanbul

There is one particular rooftop that we haven't made it to yet, but have on our bucket list. It requires a bit of effort, but truly offers some of the most special views in the entire city. Buy us a coffee and we'll walk you through how to make it there!

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How to Capture the Best Pictures of Istanbul City

Now that you know all of the best places for pictures of Istanbul City, let's help you capture the moments with the ultimate gear and specialty photoshoots you can sign up for.

📸 Capturing the Best Pictures of Istanbul City: Gear (& What We Use)

Want to capture photos similar to ours? Here is the gear we used to take our pictures of Istanbul City:

• Mirrorless Camera: Sony Alpha 7riii
• Wide Lens: Ideal for inside the mosques (We use the Sony GM 14")
• Wide-Range Lens: Good for capturing most shots (We use the Sony GM 24-70).
• Telephoto Lens: Ideal for shots across the river (We use the Sony GM 70-200)
• Drone: We use the Mavic Mini Pro 4 because it's super light, shoots vertically, and has amazing quality. (This is only in certain areas or if you get permission!)
• Action Camera: We use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & can be used with an extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots where you can't use one.
• Tripod: We use the JOBY Rangepod Tripod
• Presets: We use our own Scratch Your Mapa Presets (these ones are mostly with the Into the Wild Preset Collection)

💃🏻 Taking Photo Shoots in Istanbul

If you're looking for truly some of the most memorable photos of Istanbul City with you in them, then we highly recommend getting a private photoshoot!

Photographers in Turkey are super talented, and many of them offer extravagant dresses and props to add to the scenery. You'll get some of the best photos of your life here, so it's absolutely worth looking into.

In case you do want a professional photoshoot, here are a few that you can look into:

Taking Pictures of Istanbul City: Final Thoughts & What's Next

Istanbul is one of those cities that is endlessly exciting, especially when you experience it through a camera lens. From colorful neighborhoods and hidden staircases to grand mosques, historic rooftops, and sweeping Bosphorus views, there is no shortage of incredible photo opportunities.

Whether you are chasing golden hour light, vibrant street scenes, or iconic landmarks, taking photos of Istanbul City feels like a true treasure hunt, and it never gets old. 

Some of the most memorable shots come from wandering without a strict plan, turning down quiet streets, or finding a new perspective from above. Mix the famous spots with lesser known corners, take your time, and let the city surprise you naturally.

👀 What's Next?

Now that you know all of the best spots for pictures of Istanbul City, you may want to learn more about visiting! We have a complete Istanbul travel guide for you to check out, which includes all the essential info you'll need to know for planning your trip.

Exploring more of Turkey? We have a ton of Cappadocia travel guides, such as exploring hot air balloon views, unique cave hotels, and a complete Cappadocia Photo Guide, which covers everything you need to know for capturing the magic of that region of Turkey as well.

So are you ready to snap your way around the most Instagrammable locations in Istanbul? It definitely is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, so make sure to go with an empty camera roll!

Want to learn about all of the other cool things to do and see in Istanbul and other Turkish destinations? We have a ton of other Turkey travel guides for you to read - with more coming each week!Also, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates, as well as exclusive discounts we give on our shop.

Ready to start planning the most unbelievable trip to Turkey? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, delivering you specially-curated itineraries, hand-picked stays, and epic activities for you and your group. Want to learn more? Check out our travel planning packages or book a consultation!

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