The 8 best neighborhoods in Istanbul

Before traveling to Istanbul, every traveler thinks about the logistics of the area where he will live. It is important to consider travel time to the airport and spending money on transportation. Our experts have carefully studied the areas of Turkey’s largest city, weighed the pros and cons and compiled the top 12. This rating will prepare the tourist to meet the ancient metropolis.

Rating of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul

Best European neighborhoods in Istanbul

The Turkish city is located in Asia and Europe at the same time. Most sights are located in the European area. That’s why we recommend it for your first trip.

Beyoglu

Rating: 5.0

The first place of the rating is occupied by the district considered the center of New Istanbul. Here you can see the pedestrian street Istiklal, Taksim Square, the temple of St. Anthony, the best brand stores and luxury restaurants. Galleries, theaters, and cinemas await visitors.

Beyoğlu has a population of about 245,000, with up to 1 million tourists from all over the world a day. There are a lot of people here at the weekend evenings. You can take a quiet walk in the neighborhood on a weekday afternoon. They praise the high level of service, the large number of attractions and the friendly attitude of the locals.

Advantages

• close to the airport;
• a lot of iconic sites;
• A wide choice of cafes and clubs;
• has a subway;
• an abundance of hotels.

Disadvantages

• Very crowded.

Fatih

Rating: 4.9

Next in the ranking is one of the most popular neighborhoods among tourists. Literally every step of the way there is something interesting. Most sites are easily accessible on foot. The Fatih district has the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar. A big choice of hotels.

The minuses include overpriced hotels and cafes. Istanbul’s best neighborhoods are for those with good legs, with steep sidewalks and steep drops. Cabs can be hard to come by, and the streets are often jammed. The pluses include fresh sea air, friendly residents, a large number of antique heritage.

Advantages

• Abundance of hotels;
• A lot of attractions;
• fresh air;
• Good attitude of the locals.

Disadvantages

• Overpriced;
• The streets are too steep;
• traffic.

Bakirkey

Rating: 4.8

There is a region with 250 thousand people along the coast of the Sea of Marmara. Bakirkey is the business center of Istanbul. In addition to the beautiful views from the waterfront, tourists will be curious about the Yunus Emre Cultural Center, the Fildama Cistern, a 19th century Greek temple, the main mosque. Many cafes and restaurants, hotels and inns can be found here.

The airport is on the northwest corner of the city. So it is not difficult to get here. There is a metro line. A well-developed transportation network. In Bakyrkei tourists are waiting for accommodation at adequate prices. It is always noisy and the roads are constantly jammed.

Advantages

• a large choice of hotels;
• adequate housing costs;
• proximity to the airport;
• Suitable for shopping.

Disadvantages

• very noisy;
• frequent traffic jams.

Arnavutkey

Rating: 4.7

The area is located west of Istanbul. About 200 thousand people live here. The area has become popular because of its unique architecture. There are Ottoman-style wooden houses, the biggest Taxiarhis Church in Istanbul, the Teflikiye Mosque, and a bronze sculpture of Ataturk.

The neighborhood is praised for its beautifully landscaped gardens and parks. In the evening here to admire the sunset, in the morning walk and run along the promenade. There are plenty of hotels in the area. Recommended to pay attention to Villa denise 5 with well decorated rooms.

Advantages

• Many fish restaurants and stores;
• good choice of hotels;
• unique architecture;
• Beautiful gardens;
• beautiful landscapes.

Disadvantages

• No significant historical objects.

Şişli

Rating: 4.6

The next rider is a cluster of skyscrapers, new buildings, and shopping malls. More than 300 thousand people live in the modern district. It has an excellent infrastructure, with a wide variety of hotels and restaurants. Worth a visit are the Mediterranean Sea Monument, the Military Museum, the Abide Hürriyet Statue, and the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Too bad Shishli has few unique sites and no access to the sea.

Subway and bus network in the neighborhood. This settlement is chosen by tourists who want a quiet holiday in Turkey. Not a lot of people here. We recommend shopping in Mezidiyekoy.

Advantages

• Many cafes and hotels;
• Developed transportation hub;
• Not a lot of tourists;
• Subway.

Disadvantages

• Lack of access to the water;
• Not many places of interest.

Best Asian neighborhoods in Istanbul

There is a nice atmosphere in Asia. Prices here are lower than in Europe, but the choice of hotels is not as extensive as in Europe. There are not many options for accommodation in Asian areas. These places are good for those who have seen all the famous sights of Istanbul and want to look at it from a non-tourist point of view.

Tuzla

Rating: 5.0

Tuzla district, which can be called a suburb of Istanbul, opens the nomination. This is a very beautiful and quiet area that is chosen by those who like a quiet holiday. Centuries ago, there was a settlement of Greeks called Akritas. The area’s attractions attract tourists from all over the world. The mineral spring is especially popular. Two springs are very close and can cure many diseases. They contain magnesium, soda, mineral water, which treat liver and stomach pathologies.

There are in Tuzla healing beaches with healing sand, Yalcına Zoo, a Japanese park with swings, beautiful plants and benches. Praised for its luxurious hotels, plenty of entertainment and shopping.

Advantages

• peaceful atmosphere;
• The presence of mineral springs with medicinal water;
• a lot of places for shopping and entertainment.

Disadvantages

• no major drawbacks.

Kadykei

Rating: 4.9

This neighborhood is good for its tea gardens, unique restaurants and distinctive atmosphere. It’s easy to get here from Sabiha Gökçen Airport by bus or city route. From this neighborhood to the major attractions of Istanbul is about 15 minutes away.

More than 600,000 people live in the area. It is a relatively peaceful place, compared to the European resorts of Istanbul. The Greek Church, Museum of Toys and the Haydarpaşa Station. The young people will like Bagdat Street with its huge number of stores, clubs and bars.

Advantages

• close proximity to airports;
• Variety of entertainment;
• developed transport hub;
• a lot of good hotels;
• Good shopping.

Disadvantages

• Few attractions.

Uksyudar

Rating: 4.8

A little north of Kadıköy is the Uksüdar neighborhood. Close to Beylerbey Palace, Sultan Ahmed Fountain, and Maiden Tower. Population is about 550 thousand people. It has a lot of eastern flavor in the form of mosques.

Sites on display are of great interest to tourists. But there aren’t many famous landmarks. Uxiudar has a subway line, a train station and a port. There are very few tourists, and the hotels can be stayed at a very reasonable price. No nightlife.

Advantages

• Adequate prices for accommodations;
• authentic atmosphere;
• few tourists;
• good transport.

Disadvantages

• Boring for the young.