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.
