Originally known as Constantinople, Istanbul was the eastern capitol of the Roman Empire. Known for its rich history, Istanbul is also a melting pot of culinary fusion. Check out our comprehensive Istanbul food guide for the best foods to eat. It won’t matter if you’re a frequent traveler or a newbie to Istanbul, this guide will give you a great place to start.
Istanbul is the only city in the world that has both European and Asian parts? Istanbul is split into two continents by the Bosphorus Strait. It has a rich cultural history dating back to ancient times when it was ruled by the Byzantines and the Ottomans. This beautiful city has amazing sites, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace, to name a few. Any architecture or history buff will love exploring it.
Foodies will love Istanbul’s food scene. You can find everything from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. Even if you’re not a foodie, Istanbul has something for everyone.
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Istanbul proper is divided by two bodies of water. The Bosphorus Strait which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara goes North and South and divides the city between Europe to the West and Asia to the East.
The Golden Horn is an inlet connected to the Bosphorus Strait that divides the more modern district of Beyoğlu to the North and the Old Town district of Faith to the South.
Like many large metropolitan cities there are many choices of where to stay in Istanbul. Finding what is perfect for you might be different for everyone depending on how you like to travel, what you like to do, and the types of accommodation you prefer to stay in.
There are 39 total districts/municipalities in Istanbul. Within those districts there there are neighborhoods that give Istanbul is uniqueness and character.
Here are the most popular district near the heart of all the action
- Faith (Europe Side)
- Beyoğlu (Europe Side)
- Beşiktaş (Europe Side)
- Üsküdar (Asia Side)
- Kadıköy (Asia Side)
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When coming from the Beyoğlu district and crossing over the Golden Horn Inlet to the Faith district, Eminönü will be the first neighborhood you reach. A major transportation hub in the oldest part of Istanbul gives you access to trains, trams, buses and ferries. It’s also close to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Süleymaniye Hamamı. There are a ton of small shops and restaurants for both tourist and locals alike.
A little South East of Eminönü is the Sultanahmet neighborhood. is in the heart of the old town/historic neighborhood in the Faith District. The Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Basiica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are all located in this district. As you can imagine there are also a lot of small shops and restaurants geared toward both tourist and locals alike. Most of the major attractions are within a 15-20 minute walk from each other or a short tram ride away.
Balat and Fener neighborhood’s are a little NorthWest of Eminönü straddling the Golden Horn Inlet. This are is filled with colorful houses, small local shops, and has an eclectic local feel. A little off the beaten path from all of the crowds is a great place to explore the fascinating streets. Just be sure to wear your walking shoes as this part of Istanbul is a little hilly.
North of the Golden Horn in the Beyoğlu District is the Galata neighborhood. Galata is filled with picturesque streets, fine dining, local eaters and boutique shops. Galata Tower is one of the major attractions of this area, and with the high vantage point you are sure have some great views of the Golden horn and Bosphorus Strait. Take a walk from Galata to Faith/Old Town over the Galata Bridge is and catch beautiful views of the Gold Horn. You’ll walk by a lot of locals enjoying their day fishing on the bridge, truly a great experience. Galata is a great location that is close to everything.
A neighborhood that straddles the North side of the Golden Horn that meets the Bosphorus Strait Karaköy is a great mix of old meets new with a little bit of industrialism mixed in. Chic cafes, street vendors, bakeries, antique stores, art studios, and nightlife all converge in this hip and vibrant part of the city. Take a walk along the Bosphorus Strait and enjoy a Turkish Tea from a street vendor and take in the sea breeze.
Cihangir is situated a short distance North of Karaköy heading toward Taksim Square. A hilly neighborhood filled with small local eateries, shops, and bakeries. Cihangir has a local hip vibe to it, and a great area that is close to a lot of the popular parts of Beyoğlu, like Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Galata, and Karaköy, . It’s also fairly close to the T1 lightrail line, so getting to Old Town is convientient.
A major pedestrian and tram only street that run North and South connecting Taksim Square in the North to Şişhane Metro Station to the South. Istiklal is filled with major brand stores like Zara, ice cream parlors, chocolate Shops, eateries, street food, and souvenir shops. This is a popular tourist area to stay in in the Beyoğlu district so be prepared for crowds of people.
Located at the top North end of Istiklal Street you will find the Taksim neighborhood. Taksim square is the center of the Beyoğlu District and home to the a couple foreign consulates. This is where you will find some of the larger international hotels, Turkish fast food chains, fine dining, and nightlife. Think of Taksim as the center tourist district of the more modern side of Istanbul.
Beşiktaş District is along the West side of the Bosphorus Strait North of Karaköy. They are close to Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, a lot of local restaurants and nightlife. You will find more luxury accommodations in this are but there are less options for using Istanbul’s subway system, so buses, taxis, and ferry will be your best options for transportation.
Located on the East Side of the Bosphorus Strati on the Asia side of Istanbul is a residential area known as Üsküdar. If you are looking for a calm and quiet part of Istanbul this might be for you. However keep in mind Üsküdar is a little more spread out and your transportation options will be a little more limited, but accommodation may be more economical. Also expect less commercial type restaurants, and more local mom and pops businesses.
Kadıköy is an eclectic hip part of Istanbul on the Asia side. It’s filled with great small eateries, local markets, cafes, art galleries, vintage shops, and nightlife. It is also a major transportation hub close to ferry terminals, bus stations, train stations, subway, and tram stops. Kadıköy is further away from all the historic touristy parts of Istanbul, but also conveniently close to the many ferries that go everywhere. Kadıköy is a great option to see the Asia side and feel like a local.
For those seeking a lavish experience,..
