23 Images That Prove Istanbul Is the Most Instagrammable City on the Planet

INSTAGRAM HAS FINALLY MADE IT POSSIBLE to answer the age-old question: “What’s the most beautiful city in the world?” The answer, unequivocally, is Istanbul.

As the point where Europe meets Asia, Istanbul already had a head start; but it clinches the title when you combine its stunning scenery with some of the most beautiful architecture on the planet. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking at a World Heritage Site or a side street — Istanbul wins. Here’s the proof.

First, there’s the Hagia Sophia.

 

Blown away by the beauty of the Hagia Sophia. @turkey_home #turkeyhome #nycgoestoistanbul

A photo posted by newyorkcity (@newyorkcity) on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:50pm PDT

Then there are the sunsets.

 

Golden Horn 👉 @istanbulcity 🏃

A photo posted by Mehmet Kırali (@civilking) on Dec 29, 2014 at 5:02am PST

The views from the Bosphorus are spectacular.

 

was on assignment in Istanbul, Turkey, where you can hop on a boat on one continent, cross the strait, and have dinner on another. this is the view from Asia, looking west toward Europe – shot as we ate and sipped turkish coffee to combat the jet lag. @turkey_home @matadornetwork

A photo posted by Cole Rise (@colerise) on Jun 9, 2015 at 11:01am PDT

 

Hi guys! I am mentally with you! @Turkey_Home #FashionHunt

A photo posted by _ K ▲ T I A ● c o l o r f u l (@katia_mi_) on Mar 20, 2015 at 1:12pm PDT

And did we mention the sunsets are pretty great?

 

The meeting point of two continents, a place unequaled anywhere else in the world with 2,500 years of history here presents the opportunity to taste some of the treats of Turkish Cuisine from the in ever amazing Maiden’s Tower! #Turkey #HomeOf #Istanbul Photo by @emrkrm

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Jul 19, 2015 at 10:45am PDT

The Blue Mosque is possibly the most beautiful building on the planet.

 

Welcome to Istanbul….for the next week + I’ll be bringing you nothing but images filled with Turkish delight. As I make my way from the capital to the coast, I hope you enjoy the journey. Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey. #travelstoke #turquoisehunt @turkey_home

A photo posted by Scott Sporleder (@spoart) on Jun 22, 2015 at 10:33am PDT

They’ve got the world-famous Grand Bazaar…

 

#JumpToPlay This has been waiting in my camera roll way too long! It’s the super awesome @barkinozdemir, who guided us to his favorite lookout spot in Istanbul a couple of weeks ago. On the way up I decided to buy a lace umbrella – just in case – and I guess we put it to good use up there. #istanbulcity

A photo posted by Marion Vicenta Payr | Vienna (@ladyvenom) on Jun 24, 2015 at 12:37am PDT

…the beautiful Basilica Cistern…

 

An epic shot from Yerebatan Sarnıcı (The Basilica Cistern) located next to the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula. #Turkey #HomeOf #BasilicaCistern Photo by @saffetemretonguc

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Dec 5, 2014 at 1:12pm PST

…the Topkapı Palace…

 

#peoplewalkingpastwalls And what a wall this is! Another outtake of the extravagant Topkapi Palace’s Harem. The gorgeous girl casually striding by is of course our lovely guide @elifabidinoglu! Thank you for being the best host. #istanbulcity #istanbulmagic #Istanbul #strideby

A photo posted by Marion Vicenta Payr | Vienna (@ladyvenom) on Apr 17, 2015 at 4:38am PDT

…and the Ortaköy Mosque.

 

The stunning Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid in İstanbul’s Ortaköy district, known locally as Ortaköy Mosque, is just waiting to enchant you in all its glory! #Turkey #HomeOf #Sprituality Photo by @ladyvenom

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Jun 20, 2015 at 1:42am PDT

Then there are beautiful neighborhoods like Galata…

 

One of the oldest districts in #Istanbul, #Galata , offers you a time travel by walk. 👏 to @Audiosoup

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Oct 1, 2014 at 1:03am PDT

…and Balat.

 

🚶🏻❣ @istanbulcity

A photo posted by Çiler Geçici (@audiosoup) on Dec 4, 2015 at 4:07am PST

And then…there are the sunsets.

 

How to end a perfect dinner at the beach. @turkey_home #TurquoiseHunt

A photo posted by Christoffer Collin (@wisslaren) on Jun 3, 2015 at 12:37am PDT

There’s a perfect mix of the old and the new.

 

Have you ever encountered this panda bear before while exploring the side streets of İstanbul? #Turkey #HomeOf #Graffiti Photo by @civilking

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Dec 2, 2014 at 11:57pm PST

Day-to-day city scenes are beautiful.

 

When living in a hectic place like Istanbul, it’s a good thing you can take your sailing boat out and escape the city for a while. @turkey_home #TurquoiseHunt

A photo posted by Christoffer Collin (@wisslaren) on Jun 2, 2015 at 4:44am PDT

Not to mention the night-to-night.

 

İstanbul✨Türkiye✨

A photo posted by emrkrm (@emrkrm) on Nov 9, 2015 at 10:11am PST

And it’s pretty hard to beat taking pictures of your food with backdrops like this.

 

İstanbul has countless wonders and beauties, but one of the most pleasurable activities in the city is simply looking out over a magnificent view with a perfect cup of Turkish tea! #Turkey #HomeOf #TurkishTea Photo by @emrkrm

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Mar 6, 2015 at 10:21am PST

Speaking of food, it’s incredible. Like the Turkish breakfasts.

 

Breakfast in Turkey at Aheste, a cute spot where you can get traditional meze dishes but also more modern style dishes like these poached eggs with lime, corriander, paprika, and feta cheese. @turkey_home #Turkey #TurkishFood #GastroHunt #HomeOf

A photo posted by Professional Parallel Parker (@danielkrieger) on Aug 11, 2014 at 6:13am PDT

Or the meze (Turkish tapas).

 

Tadımlarımızı yaptık ve santra vuruşuyla maç başladı 😊😊😊 #mukellefkarakoy #meze #tapas #yummy this is the reason ” why you should visit Turkey” 😊😊😊

A photo posted by arda turkmen (@ardaturkmen) on Sep 22, 2015 at 9:18am PDT

Or the simit (Turkish bagels).

 

Street simit is the best…. dough, dipped in the grape molasse, covered with sesame seeds … A crusty result after baking… Yummy … Mehmet is my neighbour from Karaköy area, baking 2500-3000 simit a day, i admire his energy :) / / Sokak simidi gibisi yok, çay, ayran, karper, kaşar, beyaz peynir, domates… Hepsi yakışır yanına… Mehmet usta Karaköyden komşum, günde 2500-3000 simit yapıyor… Enerjisine hayranım :) #Turkey #HomeOf #TurkishCuisine #GastroHunt 👉 @turkey_home

A photo posted by arda turkmen (@ardaturkmen) on Aug 9, 2014 at 8:51am PDT

And, of course, the chestnuts.

 

The #FashionHunt team knows how captivating the spectacular views İstanbul has to offer while crossing continents by ferry. The small stalls selling treats and street food are a fantastic way to take a break while discovering this vast city. Have a roasted chestnut with us, won’t you? #Turkey #HomeOf #Chestnut Photo by @katia_mi_

A photo posted by Turkey.Home (@turkey_home) on Mar 17, 2015 at 9:18am PDT

But what really makes Istanbul the most Instagrammable city on the planet is its residents. Like this guy.

 

You talkin’ to me?!?! 🐶❤️ @istanbulcity

A photo posted by Mehmet Kırali (@civilking) on Jan 3, 2015 at 8:57am PST

Or this little fella.

 

Hello 😼

A photo posted by Çiler Geçici (@audiosoup) on Mar 26, 2015 at 3:39am PDT