10 Istanbul Neighborhoods

Located on two continents, Istanbul has many beautiful neighborhoods to visit on both the European and Asian sides. Touring them is one of the things you have to do on your visit to Istanbul. Each of these stands out for its different characteristics. In this article you will learn about the best neighborhoods to visit in Istanbul.

Istanbul has a dynamism born from a fusion of ancient traditions with a vibrant contemporary culture. I recommend visiting both the historic and the more cosmopolitan neighborhoods, so you can get a more generic view of the before and after of Istanbul.

Karakoy is a commercial district considered one of the oldest and most iconic in Istanbul. Here you will find streets filled with locals and tourists as you explore its bustling alleyways. Formerly known as the Galata neighborhood, it was an important port for the city with working class laborers and fishmongers. Then, it became almost a neglected or marginalized neighborhood before becoming a hipster hotspot with trendy cafes, bars and restaurants and a growing nightlife.

You can also find nice cafes, local boutiques, restaurants and bars in the area. Karakoy has become one of the best neighborhoods for nightlife in Istanbul over the past few years.

It is also home to Galataport, which is Istanbul's cruise port. You can try the fish restaurants by the sea or go to Karakoy Lokantasi, a famous local restaurant named after the neighborhood.

Sultanahmet is the most popular tourist district of Istanbul, as it links to the most visited museums in the city such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (one of the best mosques in Istanbul) and other areas of great tourist interest. In addition, its location is ideal for a tour of the Topkapi Palace, the 15th century residence of the sultans transformed into a museum in 1924, and the 6th century Basilica Cistern, the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul.

In Sultanahmet you can also sample excellent street food and shop in centuries-old markets such as the Grand Bazaar.

A paradise for history buffs, this neighborhood bears the traces of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

The Ortaköy neighborhood is one of the liveliest neighborhoods, located just north of Besiktas, just below the Bosphorus Bridge. The center of this neighborhood consists of a bustling main square full of tourists looking to take pictures by the sea and eat street food. It is also a very particular place for nightlife lovers.

Ortakoy means village in the middle in Turkish. True to its name, this cozy neighborhood located in the middle of the Bosphorus has a magnificent view of the sea. When you look at photos of Ortakoy, you can see hundreds of photos of the Bosphorus Bridge and the iconic Ortakoy Mosque.

Among the best walking tours to do in Istanbul is to take a walk to Bebek after lunch in Ortakoy. The walking route between Ortakoy and Bebek will allow you to see the most beautiful views of the Bosphorus.

Bebek is a charming and trendy seaside neighborhood of Besiktas located on the European shores of the Bosphorus. Bebek is famous for its elite and classy urban life, upscale and quality cafes and restaurants. The waterfront is always lively and popular with most foreigners in Istanbul.

Bebek is known as a neighborhood where celebrities live in Istanbul, hence it has several upscale establishments such as nightclubs, hotels and high-end restaurants. However, you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a good time in Bebek. Like many Istanbulites, you can:

• Take a walk from Ortakoy to Bebek.
• Drink Turkish coffee and eat dessert at Baylan, the neighborhood's most famous pastry shop.
• Have breakfast, as it is one of the best neighborhoods for it, having places with a unique view of the Bosphorus as in the Mangerie Café, one of the most appetizing food places.

Sisli is also a cosmopolitan and exclusive neighborhood of Istanbul on the European side. It is famous for its vibrant and busy city life, history and culture, museums, churches, mosques, lively shopping streets and malls. Mind you, it is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Istanbul in terms of accommodation.

The neighborhood is also one of the most popular living and shopping places in Istanbul. Some of Istanbul's largest shopping malls and most luxurious hotels are located there. In addition, the headquarters of many large companies are located in the area.

It is very easy to get from Sisli to Ortakoy and Bebek, perhaps the most fashionable and beautiful neighborhoods on the Bosphorus. On the other hand, Taksim Square, located in the heart of the city, is just a few minutes' walk from Sisli. The neighborhood is also within walking distance of Nisantasi, Istanbul's largest clothing fashion center.

Kadikoy is a quiet and relaxed residential area in Istanbul. Although it is not the most popular place for tourism, it is certainly one of the richest areas in terms of local markets and restaurants, ideal if you are looking to sample the delicacies of traditional Turkish food.

Thanks to its proximity to the Sea of Marmara, you will find many fish markets and street food vendors, making the neighborhood a fantastic place for foodies; especially if you are not looking to spend a lot. Kadikoy fish market has been one of the most popular destinations for food tours in Istanbul for the past few years. Famous full gastronomic passes, such as "Taste of Two Continents," focus on both the Old City and Kadikoy.

Located on the European side of the Bosphorus, Beşiktaş is one of Istanbul's oldest and most historic neighborhoods. Beşiktaş is also famous for its open-air fish market, and not to be overlooked, it is home to dozens of lively breakfast cafes and affordable restaurants. Come nightfall, affordable bars and pubs become a common gathering place. But you should also:

• Stroll around Besiktas Square.
• Enjoy the night lights
• Rest and drink tea or coffee in the various cafes near the sea.
• Go to the Besiktas Market Area

Strolling through the Kabatas area from Besiktas, you can see and visit the National Palace Collections Museum of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture andthe famous Dolmabahce Palace.

Arnavutköy is the heart of nightlife in Istanbul, as well as an upscale neighborhood by the Bosphorus known for Ottoman waterfront mansions and fish restaurants. During the day it's great to stroll through the picturesque neighborhood, observing the many beautiful homes that punctuate the shores of the sparkling water. Here you'll see incredible waterfront mansions and yachts parked along the shore.

Arnavutköy also boasts an elegant nightlife thanks to its picturesque neighborhood that overlooks the Bosphorus waterfront. Upscale restaurants serve traditional fish dishes and trendy cocktail bars pump out music at night, all with stunning views of the Bosphorus. In fact, many establishments in Arnavutköy get so crowded that patrons end up spilling out onto the streets and drinking late into the night.

Balat is one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in Istanbul, tucked away along the coast of Eminonu along the Golden Horn. The first things you'll see are its pleasant green parks, often filled with families, and its promenades that wind along the coast and end at the end of the Golden Horn.

Antique collectors, bargain hunters and nostalgia buffs descend on the many stores in this neighborhood, especially when they hold lively auctions. While it is true that this neighborhood is a bit further away from the center, the fact that there is a scenic ferry connecting this neighborhood to the other side makes it easy to return to Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu after a day of leisurely strolling.

In the past it was a neighborhood for Jewish and Greek Orthodox families, hence you can find many churches and synagogues. Now you can find streets full of cafes, traditional restaurants, art galleries and vintage stores.

Moda is a very quiet neighborhood located on the Asian side. It is also a popular residential area on the Asian side of Istanbul. Moda's banks and parks are very popular with young locals. There are a variety of charming cafes, tea gardens and restaurants along Moda's shores and its hinterland.

It is also a modern neighborhood with a surprising mix of cultural hotspots and nightclubs, making it ideal for people looking to experience the traditional and cultural aspects of Istanbul, but also want to party when the sun goes down. After dark, the area comes alive with live music in bars and pubs.