Istanbul City Center

Istanbul

Cumhuriyet Anıtı featuring street scenes, a city and a square or plaza
Hagia Sophia showing a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and a city
Basilica Cistern which includes religious elements, interior views and a church or cathedral
Galata Tower featuring a bridge, a river or creek and a ferry
Hagia Sophia featuring a church or cathedral, religious elements and heritage architecture

Experience the bustling atmosphere of the beating heart of Istanbul, with its splendid mix of cosmopolitan and historical attractions.

Visit Istanbul City Center to find a neighborhood full of opportunities. Go clubbing and shopping in Taksim, enjoy epic views of Istanbul and the Golden Horn from a famous tower and discover quirky museums.

The neighborhood fans out from the famous transportation hub of Taksim Square. Starting at the square’s imposing Monument of the Republic, you can take your pick from several museums and cultural centers before seeing more of the district.

Stroll along İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), Istanbul’s main shopping street. This seemingly endless pedestrian mall packs a lot in, from modern clothes shops to stunning art nouveau buildings and hip little bars. Take the funicular tram to speed up your journey along the street. It brings you to the 15th-century Galata Tower, which you can climb to enjoy some of Istanbul’s most epic vistas.

If you have the time and energy, however, it’s nicer to walk the length of the street. This allows you to take little side trips to find hidden treasures, such as the Balik Pazari (Fish Market) near Galatasaray Square. Nearby, the Cicek Pasaji (The Flower Courtyard) is a nice place to have lunch.

Go see where Agatha Christi wrote Murder on The Orient Express by strolling to the heritage-listed Pera Palace Hotel. Also don’t miss the nearby Pera Museum with its treasure trove of art in the Beyoğlu district. The Old Galata and Pera districts of the Istanbul City Center were already inhabited during the days of the Byzantine Empire and there are many more historical buildings to see here.

Hidden in the backstreets of Çukurcuma, wedged between İstiklal Avenue and Tophane, you can find the quirky Museum of Innocence which is based on a novel.

Leave the Istanbul City Center behind by crossing the Galata Bridge. Enjoy a fresh fish roll in one of the bridge’s popular seafood restaurants as you watch the sun go down. From the other end of the bridge you can explore the Sultanahmet district, home to the famous Blue Mosque.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Istanbul City Center Hotel Deals

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
5 out of 5
Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6, Elmadag/Sisli, Istanbul
$244 nightly
The price is $274 total per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
$274 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"The concierge service was extremely helpful. Particularly Aybuke Onder, she was so knowledgeable about restaurants and what to see in the city. It’s service like this that makes us want to come back to the Ritz."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
InterContinental Istanbul by IHG
InterContinental Istanbul by IHG
5 out of 5
Asker Ocagi Cad No: 1 Taksim, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundable
$170 nightly
The price is $190 total per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
$190 total
Jul 15 - Jul 16
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"InterContinental Istanbul – Where Elegance Meets Unforgettable Views My experience at InterContinental Istanbul was exceptional from start to finish. Perfectly located near Taksim Square, the hotel offers sweeping views of the Bosphorus and the city skyline—especially stunning at sunrise and sunset. ..."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
$102 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Jul 11 to Jul 12
$114 total
Jul 11 - Jul 12
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (447 reviews)
"Staff helpful with luggage. Great room size. Walkable to historic places."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
$136 nightly
The price is $152 total per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
$152 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,999 reviews)
"Great central location, few minutes walk to Sultanhamet tram stop and walking distance to historical sites Blue mosque, bascilica cistern, topkapi etc. Quiet location just off the bustling main thoroughfare. Clean rooms, good air conditioning in stifling heat of summer. Lovely views from restaurant ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Pera Palace Hotel
Pera Palace Hotel
Mesrutiyet Cad. No. 52, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul, Istanbul
$216 nightly
The price is $241 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$241 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
"Best hotel and service. Love the history and appreciate Concierge’s excellent service."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Pera Palace Hotel
Ottoman's Life Hotel Deluxe
Ottoman's Life Hotel Deluxe
5 out of 5
Molla Gürani Cd., Istanbul, Istanbul
$85 nightly
The price is $95 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$95 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 indoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (762 reviews)
"Great location, nice staff. Carpet in rooms very dirty, not a good pillows."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Ottoman's Life Hotel Deluxe
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Istanbul City Center

Istanbul which includes a marina, landscape views and general coastal views

Fatih

4.5/5(2,609 area reviews)

Explore historic libraries and diverse cuisines in this area, home to Istanbul University and the Orthodox Christian Patriarchate. Visit iconic sights like Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, and discover what's nearby via the tramway from Sirkeci to Aksaray.

Fatih
Bosphorus featuring a monument, a bay or harbor and a bridge

Sirkeci

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Sirkeci. Spend some time visiting top spots like Topkapi Palace, and catch the metro at Sirkeci Station or Eminonu Station to see more of the area.

Sirkeci
Galata Tower which includes a marina, general coastal views and a city

Galata

Spend some time visiting places like Galata Tower while getting to know Galata, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Karakoy Tünel Station to see more of the area.

Galata
Galata Tower showing night scenes, a ferry and a bay or harbor

Karaköy

Consider a visit to Galata Tower and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Karaköy. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Karakoy Station or Karakoy Tünel Station.

Karaköy
Galata Tower showing night scenes, a ferry and a bay or harbor

Beyoğlu

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Travelers love Beyoğlu for its popular shops, and you can see more of Istanbul by jumping on the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Tophane Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Taksim Square and Galata Tower.

Beyoğlu
Blue Mosque featuring a mosque, a pond and a fountain

Sultanahmet

Discover the charm of old Istanbul in this working-class district, featuring narrow streets with tightly packed apartment buildings. Explore historic sites like Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, or indulge in diverse cuisines, all easily accessible by tramway.

Sultanahmet


Istanbul City Center

Choose one or more items to build your trip: