Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map – Free PDF (2025 Update)

Istanbul is a city full of surprises, where history and culture meet at almost every corner. Most visitors begin their journey with iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, all conveniently located close to one another in Sultanahmet. But Istanbul is much bigger than it first appears on a typical tourist map, with dozens of other neighborhoods and attractions waiting to be explored.

While preparing trips for travelers over the past 20 years as a licensed tour guide, I noticed a common challenge: finding a clear and reliable map of Istanbul’s main attractions. Although many maps are available online, very few manage to bring together key sights, neighborhoods, and transportation details in a single, easy-to-use format.

That’s why I created this comprehensive guide. Here, you’ll find up-to-date Istanbul tourist maps along with practical insider tips to help you plan your trip with confidence. Whether you want to explore the historic peninsula, wander through the lively streets of Beyoğlu, or discover hidden gems along the Bosphorus, these maps are designed to make navigating Istanbul simpler and more enjoyable.

Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map PDF (2025)

This Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map (2025) guide is structured under ten main headings. Under each section, we will explore the city together using the maps I’ve shared. We will begin with Istanbul’s most popular areas, such as Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu, and then gradually expand the circle to include other key neighborhoods and sightseeing areas.

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that these maps are based on publicly available sources. I used official maps published by Beyoğlu Municipality, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Google Maps, and Turkish Airlines as references, and then adapted them specifically for this guide.

The maps you see here are simple, clear, and purpose-driven. While they are not meant to be technical or decorative, they were carefully prepared to highlight exactly what travelers need to see and understand at a glance. They are designed to be practical walking and sightseeing maps, helping visitors build a clear mental picture of the city and its main attractions.

I also created high-resolution PDF versions of these Istanbul tourist maps, detailed enough to be examined closely. Under each section, you’ll find a direct link to download the relevant PDF map. All maps are free to download and easy to use while planning your trip or exploring the city on foot.

Now, let’s begin exploring Istanbul—step by step, map by map.

1. Fatih (Historic Peninsula) and Beyoğlu

Most of Istanbul’s major historical landmarks are located in Fatih (the Historic Peninsula) and Beyoğlu. For this reason, understanding where these two districts are situated is essential for first-time visitors.

The Fatih district, commonly referred to as the Old City or Historic Peninsula, has a history dating back nearly 2,700 years. The eastern hill of the peninsula, where Topkapi Palace stands today, marks the area where the city was first founded in antiquity.

The Historic Peninsula is home to an extraordinary concentration of monuments. Among the most famous are Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. These iconic sites attract millions of visitors every year and together form the historical showcase of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu, on the other hand, represents a different layer of the city’s past. While it is also a historic district, it features fewer monumental landmarks compared to Fatih. Instead, Beyoğlu is best known for its lively pedestrian streets, shopping areas, cafés, cultural venues, and everyday city life centered around Istiklal Street.

Visitors who spend two or three days in Istanbul usually focus on these two districts. In a short stay, it is possible to visit the major mosques and museums of the Historic Peninsula and explore Beyoğlu and its surroundings on foot.

Beyond Fatih and Beyoğlu, one of the most popular activities is taking a Bosphorus cruise, while travelers with extra time often cross to the Asian Side to visit places like the Kadıköy Fish Market. For many visitors, these areas together define their first impression of Istanbul.

The map above highlights the locations of Fatih and Beyoğlu, clearly showing the Golden Horn (Haliç) as the natural waterway that separates the Historic Peninsula from the relatively newer districts of the city. The Galata Bridge connects these two sides, serving as both a physical link and a symbolic transition between them.

On one side of the bridge lies Eminönü, and on the other Karaköy. Together, these areas reflect Istanbul’s historical development and its long-standing, cosmopolitan food culture.

2. Map of Istanbul Old City (Sultanahmet)

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to travel between Istanbul Old City and Beyoğlu is by using the tram. Thanks to this tram line, it’s possible to reach the main historical monuments of Sultanahmet directly from many parts of the city. The same line also allows visitors to continue toward Dolmabahce Palace, one of the most important landmarks to visit after exploring the Old City.

On the Istanbul Old City tourist map above, you’ll see the tram stops clearly marked in green. Most of the major historical sites in Sultanahmet and its surroundings are located along the route between the Beyazıt and Eminönü tram stops, making this area especially easy to explore on foot.

After Eminönü, which marks the final stop within the Old City, the tram crosses the Galata Bridge and enters the Beyoğlu side of the city. In the next map, you’ll see how the tram continues to Karaköy, creating a smooth and practical connection between Istanbul’s historic core and its more modern districts.

Below the map, you’ll find a link to the high-resolution JPG version, which allows you to examine the tram route and nearby attractions in more detail—especially useful for first-time visitors planning their days in the Old City.

3. Map of Beyoglu (Taksim) District

Karaköy has become one of Istanbul’s most dynamic districts in recent years. With the opening of new boutique hotels, cafés, restaurants, and galleries, the area has evolved into a lively attraction for visitors. Karaköy’s transformation gained even more momentum with the opening of Galataport, Istanbul’s modern cruise terminal, which is clearly marked on the map.

After Karaköy, the T1 tram line continues along the waterfront and stops at Tophane, home to the historic Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque. The next stop, Fındıklı, is where you’ll find Istanbul Modern, one of the city’s leading contemporary art museums. Kabataş, the final stop on this section of the line, is one of the most important transportation hubs on the Beyoğlu side.

As shown on the Beyoğlu tourist map, Kabataş functions as a key transfer point. From here, you can easily reach Taksim Square via the F1 funicular, or walk to Dolmabahce Palace in just a few minutes.

Taksim Square also marks the beginning of Istiklal Street, Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian avenue. While walking along Istiklal Street, you’ll pass through Galatasaray Square and Tunnel Square, and encounter important cultural stops such as the Pera Museum, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, and Çiçek Pasajı. By following this same route downhill, it’s also easy to reach Galata Tower, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

4. Golden Horn Bridges

As mentioned earlier, Beyoğlu and Fatih are separated from each other by the Golden Horn. These two districts are connected by three main bridges, all of which play an important role in daily transportation for both locals and visitors.

The first is the historic Galata Bridge. This bridge, which also carries the T1 tram line, is widely used by tourists traveling between the Old City and Beyoğlu. It provides a direct and scenic connection between Eminönü and Karaköy.

Another key crossing is the Atatürk Bridge, also known as the Unkapanı Bridge. From Taksim Square, this bridge can be reached via Tarlabaşı Boulevard, which continues toward the Historic Peninsula. After crossing the Golden Horn, it connects to Unkapanı and then to Atatürk Boulevard, one of the main arteries of the Fatih district.

Along Atatürk Boulevard, you’ll encounter important historical landmarks such as the Valens Aqueduct and the Şehzade Mosque. Nearby are also Zeyrek Mosque (formerly the Church of Christ Pantokrator) and the Süleymaniye Mosque.

The third crossing shown on the map is the Golden Horn Metro Bridge, which is part of the M2 metro line running from Hacıosman to Yenikapı. Thanks to this bridge, travelers coming from Beyoğlu can easily reach the Marmaray line.

Likewise, those starting from the Istanbul Old City can use the M2 metro to reach areas such as Taksim Square, Şişli, and Levent. Many of Istanbul’s major business districts and shopping centers are located along this route, making it an important connection for visitors traveling by metro, taxi, or car.

5. Istanbul Public Transport Map

Istanbul’s metro network has expanded significantly in recent years, making it much easier for visitors to move around the city. With the integration of Marmaray, travel between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul has become faster and more convenient than ever.

Thanks to Marmaray, travelers staying in the Old City can reach Kadıköy in just a few minutes. From there, it’s easy to continue deeper into the Asian Side by transferring to the M4 metro line, which also provides a direct connection to Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Istanbul’s second international airport.

For visitors staying in or around the Historic Peninsula, the M2 metro line plays a key role in daily transportation. From Yenikapı, the M2 line connects the Old City directly to Taksim, Şişli, and Levent—areas known for modern shopping centers, business districts, and hotels. In the past, reaching these parts of the city required multiple transfers, but today the journey is straightforward and efficient.

The M2 line is also especially important for travelers heading to Istanbul Airport, which is located outside the city center. The most practical route for tourists is to take the M2 metro from Yenikapı or Taksim to Gayrettepe, and then transfer to the M11 airport metro line, which runs directly to the airport. This connection makes reaching Istanbul Airport easy for visitors staying both in the Old City and near Taksim.

Together, Marmaray, M2, M4, and M11 form the backbone of Istanbul’s public transport system for travelers. The PDF metro map linked below provides a clear overview of this entire network and is especially useful for first-time visitors planning their routes across the city.

6. Istanbul Ferry Map

The Istanbul Ferry Map highlights the locations of the city’s main ferry piers. Istanbul’s traditional ferries play an important role in daily transportation, allowing travelers to move easily between the European and Asian sides of the city, as well as enjoy scenic Bosphorus cruises.

On the map above, piers 1, 2, and 5 represent ferries operating Bosphorus sightseeing routes.

• Pier 1 refers to Bosphorus cruises operated by Turyol, departing mainly from Eminönü and Karaköy.
• Pier 2 marks the official Bosphorus cruise routes run by Şehir Hatları, with departures from Eminönü and nearby piers.
• Pier 5 represents Dentur Bosphorus cruises, which typically depart from Kabataş.

If you are interested in Bosphorus cruises in more detail, you can find additional information in the related article linked on this page.

Pier 3 symbolizes ferry services departing from Eminönü (Old City) to Üsküdar and Kadıköy on the Asian Side. Although there are separate piers for these routes in reality, they are grouped under a single number on the map for clarity.

Pier 6 represents ferries departing from Beşiktaş to Kadıköy and Üsküdar, another very popular route used by both locals and visitors.

Finally, piers 7 and 8 are located in Üsküdar and Kadıköy, two of the most visited districts on the Asian Side. From these piers, ferries operate regular services back to Beşiktaş and Eminönü, completing the main cross-Bosphorus connections shown on the map.

7. Istanbul Accommodation Map

Choosing where to stay in Istanbul can be challenging. The city offers thousands of hotels spread across very different districts, and each area comes with its own advantages and trade-offs. Popular locations such as Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, and Beşiktaş appeal to different travel styles, budgets, and expectations.

The Istanbul Accommodation Map highlights the main areas where visitors most commonly choose to stay. On the Historical Peninsula, neighborhoods such as Beyazıt, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, and Eminönü are known for boutique hotels and easy access to major historical landmarks.

Crossing the Galata Bridge to the north of the Golden Horn, the map marks popular Beyoğlu areas such as Karaköy, Galata, Cihangir, and Taksim Square, which are especially attractive for visitors who enjoy walking, dining, and nightlife.

Along the Bosphorus and further north, districts such as Beşiktaş and Ortaköy offer a lively waterfront atmosphere, while inland areas like Şişli stand out as business and shopping hubs with a wide range of hotels. On the Asian Side, Üsküdar and Kadıköy are also clearly marked.

Beyond accommodation, this map effectively doubles as a tourist attractions map, since many of Istanbul’s most important sights are concentrated within these highlighted districts. For a more detailed comparison of neighborhoods and hotel options, you can explore the full guide on the best places to stay in Istanbul linked on this page.

8. Map of Istanbul Districts

The maps shared so far mainly focused on Istanbul’s most visited tourist areas. The Map of Istanbul Districts offers a much wider perspective, allowing you to see the city beyond the classic sightseeing zones. From a bird’s-eye view, this map shows where different districts are located and how Istanbul extends far beyond its historic and touristic core.

Unlike the previous maps, this one also includes districts along the northern shores of the Bosphorus, where regular city ferries continue toward the Black Sea. Neighborhoods such as Sarıyer on the European Side and Beykoz on the Asian Side are clearly visible, giving a better sense of the city’s full coastline. The map also extends further west and east, making it possible to see areas such as Bağcılar, the final stop of the T1 tram line, which does not appear on most tourist maps.

One point worth clarifying is Atatürk Airport, which still appears on this map. While it is no longer used for commercial flights, it currently serves private and official aviation. The location of the new Istanbul Airport is not shown, but its general position can be understood by looking toward the Kemerburgaz area in the far north.

On the Asian Side, the map reaches well beyond central districts. Areas such as Maltepe and Pendik, where Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located, are clearly marked. Even the Princes’ Islands appear on this map—places that are not always included on standard tourist maps.

Because of its wide coverage, this map is especially useful for travelers coming to Istanbul for business, long stays, or those planning to explore parts of the city beyond the usual tourist routes.

9. Istanbul Sightseeing Map

Most of Istanbul’s main tourist attractions are concentrated in five key districts: Fatih, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, and Kadıköy.
This high-resolution sightseeing map, prepared by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, presents the must-see landmarks of these districts through colorful and detailed illustrations.

As a traveler, I have always found illustrated maps easier to read and more engaging. When historical buildings are presented visually, their locations become clearer and more memorable. Landmarks shown almost like artwork tend to attract more attention than plain map symbols.

The Istanbul Sightseeing Map creates exactly this effect. Iconic structures such as mosques, towers, bridges, ferry piers, stadiums, and even train stations are highlighted in a playful and visually rich style. Familiar symbols of the city—like ferries crossing the Bosphorus and seagulls flying above the skyline—are also included, making the map both informative and enjoyable to explore.

10. Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map

The Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map also features light, clean illustrations. Published by Turkish Airlines, this map highlights the most important historical landmarks of Istanbul at a glance.

The map mainly focuses on the Historical Peninsula (Fatih district) and the Beyoğlu area, including Taksim and its surroundings. These are the areas where first-time visitors usually spend most of their time.

If you visit the places marked on this map, you will experience the essential highlights of Istanbul. It includes the must-see sights that define a first visit to the city and help travelers plan their route efficiently.

Of course, visitors who stay longer or return to Istanbul may want to explore more specific neighborhoods and themes. As Istanbul has hosted many civilizations, the city offers a rich, multi-layered history that can be explored step by step.

Istanbul once served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Travelers can focus on each historical period separately if they wish. For example, concentrating on Byzantine-era landmarks is a popular way to explore the city in more depth.

Most of the popular museums marked on the Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map can be visited using the Museum Pass. For more detailed information, you can also check the Istanbul Museum Pass article.

Istanbul Tourist Maps on Youtube

I have also prepared a YouTube video where I walk you through these Istanbul tourist attraction maps step by step.
The video focuses on how to read the maps correctly and how first-time visitors can use them to plan their routes more efficiently.

Rather than being a cinematic production, the video is designed to be practical and informative, just like the maps themselves. If you watch it until the end, you will have a clearer overall picture of how Istanbul fits together geographically.

If you find the video helpful, you are welcome to like it and subscribe to the channel for similar Istanbul-focused content.
I hope these maps — and the video — help you enjoy the city with confidence.
Have a great trip!

Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map by Serhat Engul