12 Famous Streets in Istanbul
To truly get to know the city, explore famous streets in Istanbul for great insights into local culture, history, and modern-day life. From narrow streets to wide avenues lined with mosques and beautiful houses, the busiest streets perfectly highlight why this global metropolis is Turkey’s beating heart.
While some are home to luxury brands and known for their expensive house prices, others are charming streets with lively atmospheres and tourist attractions. Istanbul's strategic location covers Europe and Asia, with cultural centres and iconic streets. Some people visit for delicious cuisine that restaurants sell, others to shop, and some to eye up real estate prices for investing. Regardless of your reason, here are must-visit places to wander down.
Guide to Famous Streets in Istanbul
1: Istiklal Street: Istanbul’s Heartbeat
Stretching from Taksim to Tünel Square, this pedestrian street earns fame for the nostalgic tram that rambles up and down every day. The prominence started in the 18th century when the name was Pera and foreign consulates operated from here. Despite suffering demise in the 20th century, Istiklal has once again become Turkey's most popular avenue.
This is European Istanbul's nightlife and shopping centre, but there are also several cultural attractions and historical passages like Flower Passage, Galatasaray Square, and the 18th-century Saint Anthony of Padua church. The backstreets are a delight to explore with the Pera Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote her novel, the Orient Express, and visit the Museum of Innocence on the nearby Cukurcuma Caddesi by Turkish author Orhan Pamuk. The nearby neighbourhood of Çukurcuma, also bursts with antique shops and an out-of-world atmosphere.
2: Abdi Ipekci Street: Luxury Shopping and Dining
In Istanbul’s prestigious Sisli district, Abdi İpekçi Caddesi earns fame for the wide range of luxury shopping and entertainment venues. The shopping street will empty your bank account in a heartbeat, with Turkish and international brands paying top dollars for rent spaces. Named after an assassinated journalist, this is high-end shopping at its best, from Turkish designer stores to Hugo Boss and Chanel. Eating out will ensure the pounds live on around your waistline thanks to restaurants serving delicious food like Nusr-Et Burger.
3: Soğukçeşme Sokak for Ottoman Nostalgia
In Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, near the mosque of Sultan Ahmed, and Topkapi Palace, Soğukçeşme Street, filled with wooden houses, exists in a world of its own. The cobblestone street, named after water fountains, boasts of old, restored Ottoman houses, some of which, are now boutique hotels so you can get a sense of times gone by. Watch out for the intricate architectural elements and bay windows in the historically preserved buildings. Nearby are souvenir shops, should you want to take home memories of your time in Sultan Ahmet.
4: Vodina Street in Balat for Colourful Houses
Maybe you have seen the Instagram photos of brightly coloured houses, in which case the place to find them is Vodina Sokak. But the bustling atmosphere is about a lot more. Find local eateries that serve Turkish cuisine and eat as the locals do. Find the colourful stairs of Balat and the landmark of Surp Hreşdagabed Church. There is a wide variety of antique stores to rummage through, and you never know where the narrow cobblestone streets will take you. To explore Balat and neighbouring Fener is to get to know the cultural heritage of Jewish and Greek communities as well.
5: Nispetiye Street in Prestigious Besiktas
This busy street is the hub of social life in the Etiler neighbourhood of the prestigious Besiktas. From restaurants serving international and Turkish foods to designer shops, jewellery stores, cosy cafes, and the underground station of Istanbul’s M6 metro line, everything and anything is here. The liveliest street is close to Akmerkez Mall, which promotes shopping, dining, and entertainment all under one roof. This historical street has made the Etiler district desirable for buying property and living in.
6: Bagdat Street on the Asian Side
This luxurious street runs through a staggering 16 neighbourhoods. Despite its fame as a shopping, international cuisine, and entertainment hub, Bağdat Caddesi is home to the historic mosques of Zühtü Paşa in Kızıltoprak and Galib Pasha in Caddebostan. Initially starting as a road to connect travelling traders to the central city of Constantinople, the name came about after Ottoman sultan Murad IV captured Bagdad in 1638.
Regarding historic buildings, the theme is old Ottoman mansions, of which Ragıp Pasha Mansion has an esteemed reputation, although you can't see inside. The Hakko department store is also in an old Ottoman Yali mansion. Clothing stores require a hefty bank account if you plan to visit the high-end stores because this is where places like Louis Vuitton base themselves.
7: Bahariye Street in Asian Istanbul
As a stop on the historic tram line of Asian Istanbul, the vibrant atmospheres of Bahariye Caddesi connect to the Kadikoy district, the popular destination for tourists on the Asian side. However, this is also a destination for locals, and surrounding backstreets throw up several delights to explore. Expect the usual variety of shops, but then take a slight detour to see Tellalzade Street, which is popular for antique shops. Süreyya Opera House, which is only one of two in Istanbul, is here. This building opened in 1927, hence the precious cultural history. To finish your day sightseeing, head to nearby Kadife Street, called Kadikoy's bar centre, and home to entertainment activities and venues. Otherwise, historical buildings on Karakolhane Street in the Yeldeğirmen neighbourhood also earn admiration.
8: Galip Dede Street for an Enjoyable Time
Belonging to the Beyoglu district, this must-visit destination stems from Istiklal Avenue. The historical building of the Galata whirling dervish museum holds much prominence as a former residence for them, and they host evening shows to perform their SEMA ritual dance. However, the main claim to fame on this beautiful street is music galore.
The esteemed philosopher Plato said Music is good for the soul, which is precisely how you will feel when you tour the music shops. Named after the Turkish divan literature poet Şeyh Galip, the poet's grave is in Galata Mevlevi Lodge at the beginning of the historic street.
9: Perihan Abla Street and Colourful Houses
Over on the Asian side, between Üsküdar and Beylerbeyi, this avenue in Istanbul’s Kuzguncuk neighbourhood has earned fame for being the location in Turkish TV soaps and films. Home to traditional coffee shops, the colourful buildings with beautiful bay windows stand out among the Turkish city landscape.
This is an ideal destination to get lost and absorb a lesser-known neighbourhood away from the main city centre. The rich history of Jews in the Kuzguncuk area surprises and sparks visitors' interest. After seeing Perihan Abla, wander around for more delights. The Nakkaştepe Jewish Cemetery is here, as well as two synagogues. There are also four 19th-century churches depicting the history of local Armenians.
10: Bankalar Caddesi for Interesting Architecture
Landmark buildings on Bankalar Street aptly reflect its historical importance as the Ottoman Empire's banking centre. In the Kadikoy district of this popular city, it can be tagged onto a visit to nearby music stores on Galip Dede Street. Most buildings date from the 19th century, and the T1 tramline for public transport stops at the end. Look out for the 19th-century Camondo Stairs, which portray Neo-Baroque and early Art Nouveau styles. To end your day touring, make a reservation at the terrace restaurant of Georges Hotel Galata on Serdar-i Ekrem Street, which has fantastic Bosphorus views.
11: French Street for Dining and Music
Often spotted by colourful umbrellas, this is a fantastic destination to wind down after a long day of sightseeing. Forget the boutique shops and deep history because this street is about chic cafes, pavement dining, and listening to live music. The passage, dating from the 19th century, had strong connections to French settlers, hence the name. Several buildings have been restored, and these days, the official name is Cezayir Street, although guidebooks still refer to it with the old name.
12: Buyukdere Street
Running through the Sisli, Besiktas, and Sariyer areas, this busy district connects to the Barbaros neighbourhood. Considered the centre of Istanbul’s central business district, and easily accessed by the M2 metro line, everything and anything happens here including modern shopping centres like Zorlu and Kanyon. Tall, residential, and retail skyscrapers make this avenue very different from other parts, with property selling at premium prices thanks to the prime location.
Need to Know - Taksim Square
While talking about prominent places, it is worth knowing about Taksim Square, the social heart of the modern European side. The square is the hub of Istanbul’s metro station and home to the Taksim monument, reflecting the Turkish War of Independence that then led to the breakaway from the Ottoman Empire and the newly formed Turkish Republic. Surrounded by the green space of Gezi Park and the new Ataturk Cultural Centre, this is the start of Istiklal Avenue.
People Also Ask
What is the most famous street in Istanbul?
Without a doubt, this is Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district, which runs from Taksim Square to the Tunel station. The name means Independence Avenue, and it stretches for 1.4 kilometres. Thousands of people walk up and down it every day, making it the busiest pedestrian area in Turkey.
What is the posh area in Istanbul?
There are several posh areas, but the one that stands out as king is the Sariyer district because the prices per square meter of property are the highest. Sitting on the European side of Istanbul, Sariyer includes the high-profile neighbourhoods of Emirgan, Istinye, Maslak, and Tarabya. The beachside district of Kilyos, facing the Black Sea, is also here. The latter two are known for their luxury villas and summertime holiday atmospheres.
What is the most famous part of Istanbul?
The most famous is the Sultanahmet neighbourhood in the Fatih district. As the top tourist destination in Turkey, Sultanahmet portrays history from Ottoman and Byzantine times. Most buildings, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, have withstood the challenges of time. Every year, roughly 14 million people visit Istanbul specifically to see the UNESCO buildings of this fairy-tale city.
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Public Transport: Some residents live on the Asian side and work on the European side, creating hordes of people trying to cross the Bosphorus twice daily. Additionally, most tourist attractions are in the historical area of European Sultanahmet, attracting visitors across Istanbul’s bridges daily. The good news is that there are many public transport options.
Luxury Areas: Whether you want to live here or are just curious, the luxury areas of Istanbul portray the best of exclusive living in Turkey. Istanbul is to Turkey what London is to the UK, and purchasing property in prestigious neighbourhoods is to make it into the best circles of Turkish high society.
Historical Places: From Taksim Square to Sultanahmet, whether you travel independently or join a group walking tour, the local landmarks and structures also make the city of Istanbul, Turkey, a top-visited tourist destination. Covering the Asian and European sides, there is a historical story on every corner. This article lets us look at which places to visit while in Istanbul.
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