Arabian nights, like Arabian days. More often than not, are hotter than hot. In a lot of good ways. Yes indeed Aladdin. The locations Istanbul has to offer are truly fire! This city is the Arabian dream.
For a complete overview of all the best photo spots in Istanbul, with exact locations, see the map at the bottom.
Grand Bazaar lamp shop
There's several great pictures to be taken in the grand bazaar, but the lamp shops are everybody's favourite photo setting. And you can see why. Just walk around and look for a shop you like as setting. Tip: If it's very busy and you want to take some time. Give the shop owner some money to be able to use his shop. This is only fair and you'll find he'll be much more helpful.
Galata Tower view from Büyük Hendek
This is the best street to take your shot with the Galata tower in the background. The Büyük Hendek is a lively street so expect some people walking around at all time. That shouldn't be a problem if you're the centrepiece. I actually kinda like it if there's people around for this one. If you want the streets to yourself however, you know what to do, wake up early.
Dolmabahce Palace watergate
Simply stunning. Stand in front of the opened watergate, revealing westside of the Bosphorus, and strike a pose. This shot makes you wonder how life must have been back in the late days of the Ottoman Empire. What beauty.
Ortaköy Mosque
Right before the ferry dock there's a small stel in stone sticking out in the water. This is the perfect place for a photo with the mosque in the background. During daytime, be aware that you might not be the only one who wants to snap this picture.
Balat History House
Welcome to history house Balat. You can spend your nights here, but most people actually just drop by for a quick snap and off they go. A nice little stop when wandering the colourful streets of Balat.
Balat Coloured houses
This picture is taken in the Usturumca street towards the coloured houses of Balat. Get your colourful outfit out and do some walking up and down when snapping your shots. Keep the angle a bit low and create a great picture. Tip: Walk further away from the houses up on Usturumca street, create a bit more distance between you and the camera for a different sight.
Rooftop view at Nova Santiye Cafe
There are several places where you can go for some rooftop photo's but this is the most famous and here they created the best setting. The fact that this is a great photo setting didn't go unnoticed on the restaurant owner, so they made it commercial. Prices vary over time. We suggest you give them a call first or walk by to inquire about prices and option. No shame in paying a little for a great photo setting so according to me this place is well worth the wait and the money.
Colourful steps at merdivenli mektep sk.
Splash, another rainbow fel from the sky to colour these stairs and walls, making it the perfect location for a photoshoot. Balat is about colour and these steps definitely don't disappoint.
Basilica Cisterne
Hidden underneath the busy streets of Istanbul lies this marvel from the Byzantine empire. The Basilica Cisterne used to provide the empire of fresh water in times of siege. Now it's restored in it's beauty and all yours to click away in.
Çamlıca Mosque
Another marvellous entrance into history. The mosque is quite new. Construction began in 2000 and was completed in 2019, making this a new location for some pretty amazing pictures.
Click the expansion square to open these locations in google maps for navigation.