Multicultural, gigantic and packed with people Istanbul is a sprawling city with a big soul that holds together many different personalities.
Situated on two continents, perched on seven hills, inhabited by 15 million people, divided into no less than 39 districts of which 25 on the European side and 14 on the Anatolian side, the number of districts in Istanbul reaches a remarkable 782 between traditional conservative and other modern areas, districts full of life and activity, shops, churches, synagogues, mosques and art galleries.
Most beautiful and original neighbourhoods in Istanbul
Galata
Karakoy
Beşiktaş
Balat
Arnavutköy
Çukurcuma
Kadiköy Fashion
Cihangir
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To wander through its neighbourhoods is to explore an infinite range of sights, customs and urbanism that mingle together in a whirlwind of great emotional and sensory impact between the flavour of traditional areas with an ethnic twist and a swathe of modern areas that sparkle with European-style luxury.
Each neighbourhood is distinctly different and offers something for everyone, but which neighbourhoods are considered the coolest in Istanbul? With so much to do and see, it is hard to imagine being able to explore the entire metropolis and its neighbourhoods in depth in search of the coolest ones to be found among the typical tourist areas and those off the beaten track.
Our journey through the different areas of Istanbul takes in many areas with different faces, from the fascinating Bosphorus coast with its load of legends and charms, to the areas of Fatih and Balat among the oldest in Istanbul, to Beyoğlu and Kadıköy where the city's nightlife goes wild, to Beşiktaş with its elegant palaces and colourful football fans, to the natural areas of Üsküdar and Sarıyer.
Galata
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Perched atop a hill within the greater Beyoğlu district is the Galata district, home to one of Istanbul's most recognisable landmarks, the medieval stone Galata Tower ( Galata Kulesi), considered the oldest in the world and offering a splendid view of the Golden Horn.
The old cobbled streets of the district such as Serdar - Ekrem or Galip dede, cloaked in an atmosphere rich in historical charm, lead to Galata Square where fashionable shops, cosy cafés and classy restaurants are concentrated, making Galata one of Istanbul's coolest districts, animated even at night and frequented by tourists and locals alike. The neighbourhood is also home to the Dervish House Museum and the Crimean Church.
Photo: © FOXANDIT/Shutterstock
Karakoy
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One of Istanbul's most important and coolest districts is the port area of Karakoy, located just below the Galata district and facing the Bosphorus Sea. Over the past decade or so, this district has undergone a profound urban and social transformation that has led it to become a hotspot for young people with trendy cafés, bars and restaurants and a growing nightlife scene.
Its busy streets are dotted with old Ottoman-era buildings adorned with modern graffiti on the walls, art studios and fashion boutiques.
What makes Karakoy one of Istanbul's coolest neighbourhoods is its vibrant and creative atmosphere that holds together mosques and bazaars, museums and entertainment venues, the Ali Paşa social complex with its ancient Turkish bath, coastal paths dedicated to cyclists and runners, the Kamondo stairs, and a thriving art scene such as the former Istanbul Modern warehouse that now houses a collection of modern artworks by prominent local and foreign artists.
Photo: © Stackers/Shutterstock
Beşiktaş
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On the European side of the Bosporus we find the old quarter of Beşiktaş that is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the city such as the Yıldız, Dolmabahçe, Feriye and Çırağan palaces, the open-air fish market where you can eat excellent street food, bazaars, a plethora of cafés and restaurants, green areas such as the Yıldız and Maçka parks and the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture.
What makes the district's atmosphere electric are the young students who attend its three major universities and the sporting events following the local Besiktas Football Club that fill the streets with colour, music and celebration.
Photo: ©FOTMA/Shutterstock
Balat
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Balat is a district on the Haliç coast in the Fatih district, characterised by numerous old colourful houses, Greek Orthodox churches, narrow cobbled streets, green parks full of families and a promenade that meanders along the coast to the end of the Golden Horn.
Its most recognisable and well-known buildings are the church of 'St. George', the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, and the 'Fener Lycée', a distinctive red-brick building that dominates the entire district and its streets lined with cafés, traditional restaurants, art galleries, craft workshops and vintage shops, particularly in 'Yıldırım' and 'Vodina' streets.
Everything in Balat reflects its ancient cosmopolitan history with Jewish, Greek and Armenian communities without losing its more modern charm, appealing to tourists and locals alike, making it one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city.
Arnavutköy
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The heart of Istanbul's nightlife beats in the Arnavutköy district due in part to its prime location near the Bosphorus. Known for its elegant Ottoman waterfront palaces and historical structure, Arnavutköy today is universally regarded as one of Istanbul's coolest neighbourhoods due to its rich scene of trendy all-night clubs, luxurious seafood restaurants and bars that fill the district with youthful enthusiasm, especially around Bebek Arnavutköy Street.
In contrast, during the day this district turns into the ideal place for lovely strolls along the banks of the Bosphorus along the picturesque waterfront dotted with wooden sculptures and cooled by the salty sea breeze.
Photo: © imdat akgun
Çukurcuma
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The Çukurcuma area within the Beyoğlu district is famous for its range of wonderful antique shops that attract thousands of enthusiasts and the curious in search of fine furniture, antique carpets, lamps, statues, bags and hats.
This artistic district full of culture and creativity is considered one of the coolest in Istanbul for its rarefied and mysterious atmosphere, which also cloaks the famous Museum of Innocence founded by the Nobel Prize-winning Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, a must-see for all literature enthusiasts, full of exhibitions and memorabilia.
Photo: © Lepneva Irina
Kadiköy Fashion
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In contrast to the European part of Istanbul, to reach the Asian district of Moda requires a short, scenic ferry ride across the city to another continent. Located in the largest main district of Kadiköy, Moda is one of Istanbul's coolest and most relaxed neighbourhoods with many authentic cafés, typical cuisine restaurants, boutiques with local products and street vendors selling antiques.
What makes the Moda neighbourhood special is its strong identity and rooted in the local culture that gives a different perspective on the city through long walks through its most iconic streets such as Kadife street and the panoramic views from which to enjoy the view of the European side of Istanbul.
In general, Moda is a district with a surprising mix of cultural attractions and nightlife, offering traditional experiences by day and lively ones by night.
Cihangir
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Part of the wider Beyoglu district, located on a hilltop just south of Taksim Square, Cihangir is a fashionable and artistic district popular with young people and foreign residents. The streets surrounding Taksim Square, once the home of fine artists, are now filled with travellers and young people who immerse themselves in its exciting atmosphere by flocking to trendy cafés, bars and restaurants or to the green secret garden of the Cihangir Mosque.
This charming neighbourhood with breathtaking views of the Bosphorus is experiencing a true socio-cultural renaissance and is capable of making tourists, artists, young people, Turks and foreigners feel at home, plus it is home to a large feline colony of cats that roam freely among its cobbled streets.
Not to be missed is a stop at the rainbow stairs next to the Fındıklı tram stop, a symbol of unity and happiness for the city.
Photo: ©Lepneva Irina/Shutterstock
Map of Istanbul's districts
Photo: © ColorMaker/Shutterstock
Turkey
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