Istanbul City Guide
A short introduction guide to Istanbul city is impossible. Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, and its atmosphere is on par with other global metropolises like Rome and London. Among other unique attributes, the genuinely kind people, culinary arts, and dynamic atmospheres make for an extraordinary quality of life.
Istanbul, a buzzing metropolis where old meets new, where east meets west, is where fashion and haute lifestyles thrive. The seamless blend of old and new makes it the perfect location for fashion-forward and artisan communities, property hunters, and investors. Well regarded as the home of contemporary lifestyles, big names in design and architecture specialise in apartments, as well as art, tourism, and culture.
Introduction Guide to Istanbul City in Turkey
Important Facts
*Istanbul province covers 5,343 square kilometres
*Istanbul houses roughly 16 million people, 19% of Turkey’s population.
*The Marmara Sea and Bosphorus Strait surround the city centre, including the Golden Horn waterway.
*Istanbul was initially built on seven hills to replicate Rome
*The city is Turkey's number one tourist destination, hosting millions of tourists annually.
*Greek settlers founded the city in the 7th century BCE and called it Byzantium.
*In 330CE, Roman emperor Constantine renamed Constantinople and made it the ruling capital of the new Roman Empire.
*In 1453, the Ottoman Empire invaded, led by Mehmed II, and it became their ruling capital. Their reign would last until the 20th century.
*In 1930, the name changed to Istanbul, and the newly formed Turkish Republic moved the capital inland to Ankara.
European Versus Asian Istanbul
While European Istanbul is fast-paced, business-like, and touristic, the Anatolian side feels relaxed, with wider, rambling streets, fewer hills, and very active sea shores. For decades, house hunters also preferred European neighbourhoods, but this changed over the last 20 years as people sought areas with more of a community spirit. Only 5% sits in Europe, making Istanbul the only city in the world on two continents.
Where to Find Art and Culture
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts hosts contemporary exhibitions that attract world-famous artists every two years. But to immerse yourself in art all year round, visit the Istanbul Modern Art Museum in the cruise ship area in Galataport. Yeldeğirmeni, in Kadıköy, is a traditional neighbourhood with almost 70 art studios. Artistic communities thrive here, between conventional Turkish coffee shops, fine art galleries, trendy cafes, and boutique shops. To feel immersed in art, look around at the murals, keeping the streets colourful and alive.
Architecture: where the Fashionable Live and Play
Istanbul has a wide range of iconic architecture. Mimar Sinan, the greatest Ottoman architect, left his mark in several places. Still, Istiklal Avenue, once called 'Grande Rue de Pera’, perfectly displays grand examples of changing styles into art nouveau, which had an affinity with flowing forms of Islamic art. Much still exists in Beyoğlu, Sirkeci, Bebek, Arnavutkoy and Buyukada, today’s sites of the well-to-do.
Raimondo Tommaso D'Aronco, the chief architect of Abdülhamid II, best embodied this affinity and influence. The scope of D’Aronco’s work became urgent after 1894, reshaping the design of a city from rubble. Notable buildings where you can see art nouveau work are the Dolmabahce Palace and Ciragan Kempinski.
The Art Nouveau movement replaced the Turkish National Architecture movement, which, despite its modern emphasis, was influenced by what had proceeded. Istiklal (Independence) was the street's new name; Art Deco replaced Art Nouveau. The Turkish neoclassical Tayyare Apartments (Crown Plaza Hotel), the 4th Vakıf Han in Eminönü, and Bebek Mosque are all products of this period.
Other Ottoman property has been converted into homes, clubs, and boutique hotels. For fantastic architecture, Soho House featuring the original mansion design with frescos and marble flooring, suits today’s discerning guest who seeks haute living with old Turkish culture.
6 Famous Streets in Istanbul
Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi): Istiklal Avenue is the heartbeat of modern culture. Stretching 1.4 kilometres from Taksim Square to Galata Tower, this pedestrian avenue with shops, cafes, bars, and historic buildings earns respect for the nostalgic red tram. Don’t miss the stunning architecture of St. Anthony of Padua Church and buzzing side streets that host thriving nightlife scenes.
Bagdat Street (Bağdat Caddesi): The 14-kilometer Bagdat Street epitomises luxury on Istanbul’s Asian side. It boasts high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and trendy cafes. Perfect for strolls or shopping sprees, Bagdat offers glimpses of beautiful mansions.
Akaretler Rowhouses (Akaretler Sıraevler): This chic street features historic rowhouses transformed into trendy cafes, art galleries, and designer boutiques. Akaretler is a hidden gem for architecture enthusiasts and sophisticated atmospheres.
Ortaköy Street: Situated along the Bosphorus, Ortaköy Street, a hub for relaxation, earns fame for waterfront cafes; it’s the perfect place to enjoy kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes) or a cup of Turkish coffee. Ortakoy Mosque, with the Bosphorus Bridge in the background, is breathtaking.
Abdi İpekçi Street in Nişantaşı: This prestigious street, Istanbul’s answer to Paris’s Champs-Élysées boasts of luxury brands, fine dining, and upscale vibe. Abdi İpekçi Street is where to shop and socialise in style.
Galip Dede Street: Part of the Galata district in Beyoglu, leading up to the iconic Galata Tower, Galip Dede attracts music lovers and artists. Lined with shops selling musical instruments and handmade jewellery, the street boasts bohemian charm.
Sultanahmet District in Fatih – The Touristic Centre
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism says the most visited area, the Sultanahmet district, features a collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites ranging from Byzantine monuments to Ottoman landmarks. The historical heritage is mind-blogging. Constantine Emperor and Septimius Severus can be credited with the large Hippodrome. The Ottoman Turks ruled from Topkapi Palace and took credit for the fantastic 17th-century Blue Mosque that lets in natural light through the beautiful windows.
The Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque, highlights a central dome and atmospheric light. After seeing the Basilica cistern, tourists usually head to the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian market nearby. Although they can all be seen on a day trip, they are best toured within two days. Indulge in one of the famous Turkish baths to break up your tour. Also, see the Balat and Fener neighbourhoods, a short walk away, known for colourful houses, cobblestone streets, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople building.
Transport Networks and Bridges
Naturally, a major city should have a fantastic airport to complement it, and Istanbul New Airport is set to be the world’s most significant when finally complete in 2027. Replacing the former Istanbul Ataturk airport, its sidekick, Sabiha Gokcen airport, named after the adopted daughter of Turkey's founding father, handles passenger flights for Asian Istanbul.
Aside from air passengers, the other problems that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality initially faced were road traffic and public transport. The population grew as Istanbul's global profile grew, and businesses flocked here. Hence, the Turkish government built the Eurasia and Marmary tunnels under the Bosphorus strait—a marvellous engineering achievement in the Republic of Turkey. Istanbul also earns admiration for the massive bridges that connect Europe and Asia.
Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge): Completed in 1973, this bridge, which sits between European Ortaköy and Asian Beylerbeyi, was the first to connect Europe and Asia. It offers panoramic views in every direction. Initially called the Bosphorus Bridge, the Turkish government renamed it to honour the martyrs of the failed coup attempt in 2016.
Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge: Between Asian Kavacık and European Hisarüstü and named after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who captured Constantinople in 1453, this second bridge constructed in 1988 is a crucial link for transit traffic.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge: Near the northern Bosphorus end, connecting Garipçe (European side) and Poyrazköy (Asian side). Details: This is the third and newest bridge. It’s the most expansive and longest suspension bridge with rail and road traffic, named after Sultan Selim I.
Galata Bridge: This historic bridge spans the Golden Horn and connects Eminönü and Karaköy; it has undergone several reconstructions since the 19th century. The lower-level features restaurants and cafes, while the upper level is used for vehicles and pedestrians.
Exploring Ottoman Palaces and Imperial Splendour
Topkapi Museum: The 15th-century Administrative and residential home of sultans for nearly 400 years is a masterpiece. The harem, a labyrinth of rooms where the sultan’s family resided, is filled with stunning Iznik tiles. The palace has treasures like the Topkapi Dagger, the 86-carat Spoon maker’s Diamond, and Prophet Muhammad’s belongings.
Dolmabahce (Dolmabahce Sarayı): Located in Besiktas and built by Sultan Abdülmecid I between 1843 and 1856, Dolmabahce epitomises the empire’s transition to European-inspired design. Combining Ottoman and Baroque styles, this building was the administrative centre. Featuring the world’s most enormous Bohemian crystal chandelier, weighing 4.5 tons, the grandiosity reflects the empire's desire to align with European powers during the 19th century.
Beylerbeyi Palace: Located in the Üsküdar Asian neighbourhood, Beylerbeyi served as a summer residence to host foreign dignitaries. Its elegance and serene location make it a standout. The decorative interiors feature French clocks, Bohemian chandeliers, traditional motifs, and terraced gardens with fountains and a large pool.
Yıldız Palace: This late 19th-century landmark was a secluded retreat for Sultan Abdulhamid II. Unlike other palaces, it has a village-like layout with multiple pavilions and residences, a stunning mother-of-pearl inlaid ceiling, and a beautifully landscaped park.
Çırağan Palace: Built by Sultan Abdülaziz in Besiktas, Çırağan is a luxury hotel that offers visitors Ottoman grandeur. The restored building preserves historical charm and offers fine dining with stunning waterfront views.
Küçüksu Pavilion: Built by Sultan Abdülmecid I and sitting between Anadolu hisarı and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Küçüksu Pavilion was a retreat for sultans during hunting trips. The interior décor features elaborate woodwork, stucco reliefs, and European-inspired furnishings.
Famous Neighbourhoods of Istanbul
Beyoglu For Shopping and Nightlife
Beyoğlu and Taksim Square are the “new” part and transportation hubs. The pedestrian-only İstiklal Caddesi ("Caddesi" means street) shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife make this a great starting point for foreigners wanting to embrace lively experiences. Haci Bekir, known for making the best Turkish delights, has opened a shop here. The famous Pera Palace Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote her novel, also attracts interest.
Cihangir near Taksim Square is a maze of brightly coloured stucco facades featuring eccentric vintage stores, chic boutiques, buzzing cafes, trendy galleries, and antique shops. Just a few streets away, quirky areas attract the fashion and artistic communities. Cukurcuma excels in antiques, and quiet streets filled with stylish bric-a-brac shops, vintage fashion shops, and professional dealers make the reputation.
The Luxury Sisli District
Nisantasi, an older elite quarter, has high-end shops, restaurants and rentals and is very near the Beyoğlu vicinity. Expats love Kurtuluş (which means "Liberation") for being a typical Turkish neighbourhood filled with small family-owned shops, super authentic kebab "ocak başı" restaurants, charcuteries, and shops. This area is close to the Ferikoy outdoor green market and antique bazaar.
Cool Galata - Karakoy
Nearby Galata used to be run-down but has since transformed into an extraordinary artistic hub with trendy clubs, shops, restaurants, and the famous Galata Tower. Artistic communities thrive here, but for years, Galata was a stronghold of the Jewish community. Some people believe in the dual personality with new modern architecture, which contrasts with street vendors and fishmongers in Hali Bay.
Karakoy is a fabulous neighbourhood with hipster cafes, chic restaurants serving fine cuisine, and art galleries. Young Turks with an international background have fuelled mainly the change and brought stylish sensibility.
Moda and Kadikoy on the Asian Side
Moda in Turkish means "fashion" and belongs to the Kadikoy district. This bustling area is right off the pier, where ferries from different places come in. Kaiky’s fantastic fish market blocks away from the ferry station draws many people; some travel to Kadikoy to shop there, as the products sold there are rare.
The fish market has intriguing shops, excellent cafes, and incomparable Turkish restaurants. The opera house and theatres make it artistic; there is never boredom after dark. There are two areas that locals call “Moda Beach” that wrap around Moda. Exquisite sunset views are best from wonderful tea gardens filled daily with people, as having 'çay' out in a cafe is a central point in Turkish life. People spend days and nights on grassy lawns or rocky shores and attend events there.
The Princes Islands
The Princes ' Islands are a ferry ride away. Cars are banned, and horses and buggies are ways one might 'take a taxi' there, as it can be very hilly. Locals love the islands for fresh sea air and island vibes. Each Island has a very different feeling. There are 4 Islands, and Buyukada is the most popular for day trips.
Property Market and Investments
Istanbul is the number one property market in Turkey, with thousands of sales taking place every month. Given its status as an alpha world city, Istanbul is also the top destination for international investors. Part of the reason can be attributed to citizenship through investment programs, where foreigners can become Turkish citizens in return for buying real estate. But Istanbul is still regenerating its housing market, replacing the old wooden buildings with new, stylish lifestyle complexes. Neighbourhoods on the outskirts of districts like Beylikduzu feature many new builds.
The housing market also maintains a kind of elite status. Old wooden mansions are under protected status simply because the materials and architecture aren’t used anymore. Of them all, the Yali mansions on the Bosphorus are Turkey’s most expensive real estate market. Built by the elite circles of Ottoman royalty, if you must ask the price, you can’t afford it. Such is their prestigious status; they are not advertised in mainstream circles.
About Us – Turkey Homes
We are Turkey Homes, a property and investment specialist across the country. Our local agents have up-to-date local information and knowledge for anyone thinking of buying a home. Call them today to chat further or find out more about an introduction guide to Istanbul. Otherwise, see our property portfolio here if you are considering investing. You might also like to read our Istanbul blog to learn more about this great city in Turkey.
Istanbul
