10 Istanbul Neighborhoods

Located on two continents, Istanbul has many beautiful neighbourhoods 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 them stands out for its different characteristics. In this article you will learn about the best neighbourhoods 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 neighbourhoods, so you can get a more generic view of Istanbul before and after.

Karaköy is a shopping district considered one of the oldest and most iconic in Istanbul. Here you'll find streets filled with locals and tourists as you explore its bustling alleyways. Formerly known as the Galata district, it was an important port for the city with working class labourers and fishmongers. It then became almost a derelict or marginalised neighbourhood 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 neighbourhoods for nightlife in Istanbul over the last 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 neighbourhood.

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

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

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

The Ortaköy district is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods, located just north of Besiktas, just under the Bosphorus Bridge. The centre of this neighbourhood 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 cosy neighbourhood 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 pictures 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 waterfront neighbourhood 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 celebrity neighbourhood in Istanbul, hence it has several luxury 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 most famous pastry shop in the neighbourhood.
• Have breakfast, as it is one of the best neighbourhoods 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 neighbourhood of Istanbul on the European side. It is famous for its vibrant and busy city life, history and culture, museums, churches, mosques, bustling shopping streets and malls. However, it is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Istanbul in terms of accommodation.

The neighbourhood is also one of the most popular places to live and shop in Istanbul. Some of Istanbul's largest shopping malls and most luxurious hotels are located here. 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 neighbourhoods of the Bosphorus. On the other hand, Taksim Square, located in the heart of the city, is just a few minutes' walk from Sisli. The neighbourhood is also within walking distance of Nisantasi, Istanbul's largest clothing fashion centre.

Kadikoy is a quiet and relaxed residential area of Istanbul. Although not the most popular tourist spot, it is certainly one of the richest areas for local markets and restaurants, ideal if you're looking to sample traditional Turkish delicacies.

Thanks to its proximity to the Sea of Marmara, you'll find plenty of fish markets and street food vendors, making the neighbourhood a great place for foodies - especially if you're not looking to spend too much. Kadikoy Fish Market has been one of the most popular destinations for food tours in Istanbul in recent 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 neighbourhoods. Beşiktaş is also famous for its open-air fish market, and not to be forgotten it is home to dozens of lively breakfast cafes and affordable restaurants. Come nightfall, the affordable bars and pubs become a common gathering place. But you should also:

• Stroll around Besiktas Square.
• Enjoy the night lights
• Relax 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 Istanbul's nightlife, as well as an upscale neighbourhood along the Bosphorus known for its Ottoman waterfront mansions and fish restaurants. During the day it's great to stroll through the picturesque neighbourhood, taking in the many beautiful houses that dot the shores of the glittering water. Here you will see incredible waterfront mansions and yachts parked along the coast.

Arnavutköy also boasts an elegant nightlife thanks to its picturesque neighbourhood that overlooks the Bosphorus waterfront. Upscale restaurants serve traditional fish dishes and trendy cocktail bars pump out music into the 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 Istanbul's oldest and most beautiful neighbourhoods, tucked away just off the coast of Eminonu along the Golden Horn. The first things you'll notice 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 shops in this neighbourhood, especially when they hold lively auctions. While it's true that this neighbourhood is a little further away from the centre, the fact that there is a scenic ferry connecting this neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood 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 shops.

Moda is a very quiet neighbourhood 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 inland.

It is also a modern neighbourhood 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.