Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Popular Districts

Maslak

Maslak is one of Istanbul's main business districts. Directly accessible by Metro, Maslak is a popular area for new investment and construction. ...more »

  • Location: Maslak
  • Type: Popular Districts

Kurucesme

Kurucesme is a trendy district on the European shores of the Bosphorus. The area is renowned for its lively restaurants, clubs and it is also home to Kurucesme Arena. ...more »

  • Location: Kurucesme
  • Type: Popular Districts

Çiçek Pasajı - Flower Passage

Once graced with the French title 'Cite de Pera', Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage) retains a European style elegance. ...more »

  • Location: Istiklal Street
  • Type: Popular Districts

Kadikoy Fish Market

One of Kadıköy’s main institutions is its Balık Pazarı (Fish Market) at the start of Güneşlibahçe Sokak (Sunny Garden Street). This fiesta of food is made up of a number of small stalls. ...more »

  • Location: Kadikoy - Asian side
  • Type: Popular Districts

Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet boasts many of Istanbul’s most visited sites- including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine Hippodrome and more. ...more »

  • Location: Sultanahmet
  • Type: Popular Districts

Rumeli Passage

Constructed in 1897 by Ragıp Pasha, Rumeli Han is home to many stores selling scarves and other accessories as well as a florist, bookstore, optician, tattoo & piercing studio and more. ...more »

  • Location: Istiklal Street
  • Type: Popular Districts

Fener and Balat

Winding with a kind of rugged charm along the banks of the Golden Horn, the suburbs of Fener and Balat were home to large Greek and Jewish populations for centuries. ...more »

  • Location: Fener
  • Type: Popular Districts

Fransiz Sokağı - French Street

Tucked away behind the famed Galatasaray Lycee (Galatasaray School) off Istiklal Street is a cobbled tribute to the French influence in Turkey, which has lasted for centuries. ...more »

  • Location: French Street
  • Type: Popular Districts

Levent

Levent is one of the suburbs making up the central business district in Istanbul. This modern district, situated on the European side of the city, is home to Turkey's tallest skyscraper, the Sapphire. ...more »

  • Location: Levent
  • Type: Popular Districts

Cengelkoy

This quaint fishing village meaning ‘hook village’ is dotted with leafy trees and waterfront tea gardens while stately Ottoman era mansions rise up on the hill above. ...more »

  • Location: Cengelkoy
  • Type: Popular Districts

All Istanbul Attractions

Our Local Experts say:

Istanbul's colossal size, beautiful landscape and many sights and attractions means that there are many popular districts to visit.

Visitors to Istanbul will usually begin with Sultanahmet, which is home to some of the city's most stunning historical sites. The district of Beyoglu-Taksim is usually visited for its nightlife, shopping and entertainment options while many of villages in and around the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and on the Asian side are also popular.

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