Kadıköy + Moda
One of the liveliest neighbourhoods of the Asian side, Kadıköy is the perfect place to spend time, eat and shop. You can find lots of shops about almost anything, lots of restaurants, bookstores, record stores and old passages in the Kadıköy marketplace.A short walking distance from Kadıköy, Moda is also a really nice neighbourhood with lots of cafes and a wonderful coastline. There are lots of nice coffee shops in the area such as Story Coffee, Montag, Walters Coffee, Valeria Coffee and Viyana Kahvesi which is famous for its San Sebastian. There are also many restaurants such as Çiya Sofrası where you can eat unique Turkish food, Il Sud for Italian food, Tatar Salim for döner. You can also visit Ali Usta which is a very famous ice cream shop.
Bağdat Caddesi + Bostancı
Bostancı is a nice shopping district with a long coastline for going on a walk. The coastline has a large seating area and lots of people visiting everyday. If you go to Bağdat Street or “Cadde” in short, you can find lots of shops and cafes to spend some time. It is an easily accessible place with either Marmaray or the ferry. You can find lots of cafes and restaurants in the area such as Meetlab (coffee), Matters (croissant), Sour&Sweet Bakery, Verdura (restaurant), Rancheros (Mexican), Vertical, Moncai (bubble tea) and Danilos Pizza.
Where To Go
Nişantaşı + Akaretler
Akaretler is a very enjoyable neighbourhood with restaurants and cafes such as Minoa (book cafe), Monster Teashop (teas and bubble tea), La Vie en Praline (chocolate and dessert) and B Blok (cheesecake, especially San Sebastian). It is walking distance to Beşiktaş Square which is one of the most central places in Istanbul and you can take public transport to almost anywhere. For vegetarians or falafel lovers in general there is a really nice falafel place called Yalla. On the coast, there is also the Naval Museum and the National Painting Museum. In addition, Nişantaşı is one of Istanbul’s most upscale neighborhoods, known for its streets, luxury shopping, and vibrant café culture. It has stylish boutiques, designer brands, and beautiful walkable streets. The area is lively during the day with shoppers and professionals, and in the evenings it becomes a popular spot for dining and socializing. Nişanatşı is a modern, safe, and cosmopolitan district of Istanbul, which is ideal for people who enjoy shopping, stylish cafés, and vibrant streets.
Çukurcuma
Çukurcuma is a very nice and preserved neighbourhood with lots of boutiques, antique shops and small cafes. The atmosphere is lovely. It is home to the Museum of Innocence which gets its name from the book by Orhan Pamuk with the same name and Fransız Sokağı (French Street). We also recommend Mums Cafe and Paps Italian if you stop by the French Street.
Bebek + Arnavutköy
Bebek and Arnavutköy are two neighborhoods along the Bosphorus in Istanbul,also very close to Robert College, known for their lively atmosphere, amazing views, and cultural appeal. They are ideal places for people who want to experience Istanbul’s social life while enjoying the beauty of the Bosphorus. In Bebek, visitors can take relaxing walks along the coast in Bebek Park, enjoy cafés and restaurants with Bosphorus views, or watch boats pass by. Arnavutköy, famous for its colorful historic houses and cozy streets, offers a more traditional and artistic feel, with local cafés, seafood restaurants, and beautiful photo spots by the water. Bebek and Arnavutköy are perfect for strolling, dining, sightseeing, and enjoying the unique blend of modern life and historical charm along the Bosphorus.
Karaköy + Galata
Karaköy is a small neighbourhood with lots of small cafes such as Fil Books and Coffee (coffee and cakes) and also a very famous “balık ekmek” (fish sandwich/wrap) vendor “Mehmet Usta”. You can also walk up to the Galata neighbourhood and the Galata Tower from Karaköy. On the way up, there are lots of souvenir shops and the famous historical Kamondo Stairs. Serdar-ı Ekrem Street in Galata also has vintage shops and antiques. There are lots of small streets to explore.
If you would like to explore the history of the city:
Having been the capital city of the world's largest ancient civilizations, Istanbul inhabits most precious relics and historic venues. Here are some suggestions for historic buildings, structures and museums as well as other landmarks.
Sultanahmet Square (Sultanahmet Meydanı):
The Sultanahmet Square was called “The Hippodrome of Constantinople”, and was used as a circus and a social centre. You can go there by taking the Taksim Kabataş line from the Taksim metro station and then the tram. However, it gets really crowded, especially on the weekends.
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya):
Considered to “change the history of architecture”, Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica, which was then turned into a mosque. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the city.
Topkapı Palace:
Topkapı Palace was used for state occasions and royal entertainments, and nowadays is a museum which contains holy relics of the Muslim world and the world-famous diamond Spoonmaker's Diamond (Kaşıkçı Elması) which is considered the 4th largest diamond in the world.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii):
The Blue Mosque is another historical mosque in Istanbul and it is also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It is still used as a mosque, while also hosting guests from all around the world.
The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı):
Located on the southeast of the Hagia Sophia, the cistern is the largest of many ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. It is truly a remarkable place with the famous Medusa Statue and seasonal exhibits, however, there can be a really long line.
Explore The History
Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı):
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the world. The bazaar has more than 1,200 shops in over 50 streets. Hundreds of thousands of visitors visit the Grand Bazaar every day. It is usually extremely crowded but the perfect place for buying souvenirs. The bazaar is the best place for shopping for jewellery, carpets and basically all traditional Turkish products.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums:
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums are located near Gülhane Park, and Topkapı Palace, and consist of three museums; The Archaeological Museum, Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı):
Spice bazaar, is the center of the spice trade in Istanbul, and known to be the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul.
Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı):
Taksim square is the most famous and crowded square in Istanbul. 3 million people roam up and down Istiklal Avenue every day. It is located in the district of Beyoğlu and is a transportation hub. The main stop of many bus lines, the subway, the funicular line and the historic street tram, Taksim, is a culture, entertainment and shopping centre. The historic tram line goes from Taksim square to Tünel (Tunnel) on Istiklal Avenue. Istiklal Avenue is a pedestrian street ending at Tünel. Shops, theatres, cinemas, galleries, art studios, bars, discos and cafes line on the main street and the side streets. Be sure to enter historical passages such as Atlas Pasajı and Suriye Pasajı. Although the visitors of the street vary with regards to the time of the day, it is 24/7 ever-busy. We advise you to be careful of pickpocket incidents.
Mevlevi Monastery:
The Monastery contains Sufi musical instruments, dervish accessories and manuscripts of Turkish Mevlevi Poetry. Twice every month, there are concerts and/or performances of sema which is a traditional Sufi ceremony.
St. Anthony of Padua Church:
Being the largest Catholic Church in Istanbul, it is located on Istiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu.
Dolmabahçe Palace:
Built in the 19th century it is a glamorous palace which was the administrative centre of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans residing there, and later Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Today all sections and units of Dolmabahce Palace are restored and open to visitors.
Maiden's/ Leander's Tower (Kız Kulesi):
Located at the intersection point of the two continents, the tower used to serve as a lighthouse. You can just visit the tower to experience the amazing view of Bosporus.
