A Guide to Istanbul's Architecture: From Sirkeci’s Streets to Skylines

Istanbul is a place that attracts artists, philosophers, and hopeless romantics. What do you expect from a city where the silhouettes of domes and minarets frame the sky? Here you can hear the call to prayer echo above stone walls built by emperors, sultans, and architects who shaped entire civilisations. This is where the past doesn’t just linger – it lives on. 

To explore Istanbul's architecture is to wander through a gallery of living history and art. You’ll notice how Byzantine mosaics glitter inside shadowy basilicas, and Ottoman mosques grace the hills with their majestic domes. Then, just when you think you’ve stepped back in time, a glass skyscraper rises over the horizon, reminding you that we’re in the 21st century. 

When you’re ready to immerse yourself in the diverse beauty that Istanbul’s architecture has to offer, make sure to stay at the heart of it all. Conveniently located in the Old City, Mercure Istanbul Sirkeci is within walking distance of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and the famous Grand Bazaar. Staying here means waking each morning to the sounds of a bustling city mingling with the call to prayer and the aroma of freshly baked simit and local delicacies. 

For those with a sense of wonder, discovering Istanbul’s architecture offers the perfect window into the city’s soul. That’s why we’ve dedicated this guide to some of its greatest architectural masterpieces and wonders. All that’s left for you to do now is to sit back, book your flights, and get ready for a journey through time. 

Istanbul is often described as a bridge between continents and cultures, but its architecture can easily be considered a bridge between centuries. The city is home to Roman ruins, Byzantine basilicas, Ottoman mosques, and futuristic museums that coexist harmoniously. Byzantine domes inspired Ottoman mosque builders, Ottoman courtyards informed civic design across the country, and in recent years, modern architects have added new designs to the skyline without erasing the ancient charm that came before. 

This coexistence defines Istanbul's architectural style: diverse, dynamic, and endlessly captivating. 

When Constantinople was founded by Emperor Constantine in 330 CE, it was set to be a “New Rome”. Today, remnants of this grandeur still echo throughout the city with these key architectural masterpieces: 

Once the empire’s entertainment hub, it hosted chariot races and imperial ceremonies. Today, you can still see the Serpent Column and the Egyptian Obelisk rising from the square. 

Built in the 4th century, the aqueduct's arches once carried water into the city’s cisterns. Stroll beneath it in the Fatih district today, and you’ll see how Roman engineering has seamlessly blended into Istanbul’s urban fabric. 

Stretched across seven kilometres from the Golden Horn in the north to the Sea of Marmara in the south, these monumental fortifications protected the city for nearly a millennium. Walking the wall today offers not only a historical perspective but sweeping views across the Golden Horn.

We can’t discuss Istanbul architecture without mentioning the Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya. Completed in 537 CE under Emperor Justinian, it was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. Inside, its mosaics, with shimmering gold, depict saints and Jesus in dazzling detail. Later transformed into a museum and now a mosque, Hagia Sophia embodies the city’s layered spiritual and architectural identity. 

Ottoman architecture in Istanbul is distinguished by cascading domes, slender minarets, geometric tile-work, and elegant courtyards. It fused spirituality with national pride, leaving the city with some of its most iconic landmarks. 

The Byzantine builders were innovators, and their influence would have a ripple effect into the Ottoman era. In 1453, the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople marked a new chapter in the city’s history. Determined to reshape the city into the heart of a Muslim empire, the Ottoman sultans turned to architecture as a visible expression of both their faith and their power. Amongst their many achievements, these masterpieces still stand as enduring testaments to their devotion and ambition: 

Officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this structure is both devotional and theatrical. Its six minarets stand solemnly, while its interior glows with hand-painted Iznik tiles in hues of cobalt, turquoise, and emerald. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul’s architecture is the Ottoman rival to the Hagia Sophia. Not only does it function as a mosque today, it’s also breathtakingly beautiful. 

Designed by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, this mosque balances monumental scale with pure elegance. For Sinan, architecture was about harmony, proportion, and spiritual elevation. His genius touch extended far beyond grand mosques. He also designed some of Istanbul’s most famous hammams, including one commissioned for a Sultan's wife. If you want to explore the city’s historic Turkish baths in more detail, see our dedicated guide. 

Unlike a single grand structure, the Topkapi palace includes a series of courtyards and pavilions. Its intricate tile-work, marble fountains, and leafy gardens speak of sultans’ daily lives, while the interior showcases priceless artifacts. 

Istanbul’s architecture tells a story of an elegant past, while the city today embraces 21st-century design without losing sight of its rich heritage. These modern projects prove that Istanbul's architecture style is not frozen in time: 

Istanbul Modern, also known as Istanbul’s Museum of Modern Art, is one of those modern architectural beauties. Italian architect Renzo Piano, who designed it, describes the building as a sea creature rising out of the water and suspended in air. Its sleek exterior and contemporary art collection are both a bold declaration of the city’s cultural future. 

Levent and Maslak districts are both commercial and business hubs known for their skyscrapers, like the Sapphire Tower. Both areas are home to luxury residences and sleek financial offices, symbolising the global ambitions of modern Istanbul. 

Zorlu Centre is a mixed-use complex that combines shopping, offices, chic urban residences, and a performing arts venue. Inside you'll also find Raffles Istanbul, which offers unparalleled luxury with elegantly designed rooms and suites, world-class dining, and a serene spa. 

Finally, there’s a transit hub many international travellers know and love: Istanbul Airport. Opened in 2018, it ranks amongst the largest airports in the world. Its sweeping interiors and state-of-the-art design show off the scale of Turkey’s modern infrastructure ambitions. 

Prominent monuments and contemporary architecture may get the most attention, but to get a full tour of Istanbul's architecture, you have to check out its charming neighbourhoods and cobble-street alleyways: 

Sultanahmet is considered the historical core of the city. It’s also where Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace stand within steps of one another. Every alley here tells a unique story and offers a new perspective on centuries of civilisation. 

Next: Beyoğlu is known for its 19th-century art deco architecture and neoclassical facades. Beyoğlu is also home to Istiklal Avenue, with arcades, theatres, and cafés that stay open late into the night. 

Who can forget Galata? The Galata Tower watches over cobbled streets lined with merchant houses, designer boutiques, and hidden churches. 

Balat and Fener are those colourful – and highly Instagrammed – districts with timber houses painted in bright pink, red, or blue. Their narrow (and hilly) cobblestone streets reveal the multicultural charm of old Istanbul. 

On the Asian side, the Kadıköy and Moda neighbourhoods combine modernist apartments, quirky street murals, and seaside promenades. 

Last but not least, make sure to stroll the Bosphorus in the Arnavutköy, where you’ll find elegant wooden yali mansions. These beautiful homes were built long ago by the Ottoman elite as secondary holiday homes. Today, each one stands like a postcard representing Ottoman-era leisure. 

For more inspiration on where to visit in the city, see our Hidden Gems of Istanbul guide. 

Istanbul features a remarkable range of architectural styles: Roman aqueducts and fortifications; Byzantine churches and mosaics; Ottoman mosques and palaces; and striking contemporary buildings. This layering is what makes Istanbul architecture so unique and dynamic. 

Some of the most iconic buildings in Istanbul are Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Süleymaniye Mosque. The Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace are also worth visiting. For contemporary landmarks, Istanbul Modern and the new Istanbul Airport stand out. Each tells a different chapter in the city’s story. 

Key examples of Roman and Byzantine architecture include the Hippodrome, the Aqueduct of Valens, the Theodosian Walls, and Hagia Sophia. Byzantine architecture is characterised by domes, mosaics, and religious symbolism. 

The Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Topkapi Palace are some of the most celebrated pieces of Ottoman architecture in Istanbul.