The 7 Best Places for Photography (and Instagram) in Istanbul

A Photographer's Dream

With its striking minarets, massive suspension bridges, and vibrant street life, Istanbul is one of the most photogenic cities on earth. Here are the top locations to capture the magic.

The Top Spots

1. Balat: The old Jewish quarter is famous for its steep cobblestone streets lined with incredibly colorful, crumbling wooden houses. It is a street photographer's paradise.
2. Ortaköy Mosque at Sunrise: A stunning Neo-Baroque mosque sitting right on the water, perfectly framed by the massive Bosphorus Bridge directly behind it.
3. The Umbrella Street (Karaköy): A narrow alleyway completely covered by a canopy of floating, colorful umbrellas.
4. Taht Istanbul (The Secret Rooftop): A purpose-built photography studio on a high roof near the Grand Bazaar. They provide traditional Ottoman clothing and seagulls sweeping in to eat bread from your hands, all perfectly framed against the Süleymaniye Mosque.
5. The Galata Tower (from below): The best shots aren't from the top of the tower, but from the narrow Büyük Hendek street looking up at the tower framed by historic buildings.

The Golden Hour Rush

Lighting is everything. If you want to shoot the Ortaköy Mosque at sunrise and then rush to Balat for the morning light, you cannot rely on public transport. Rent a VIP Hourly Chauffeur to drive you rapidly between locations, storing your heavy camera gear safely in the vehicle while you shoot.