Atypical Istanbul Beyoglu step-by-step route. In which area of Istanbul is it better for a tourist to live during a trip?
Along the Galata Bridge, on foot or by tram, we reached the other side of the Golden Horn, where the Beyoğlu quarter or ancient Pera or modern Karakoy lies. Fig trees once grew here, hence the name.
Galata- the historical core of Istanbul's Beyoğlu quarter.
View of the Galata Tower.
Karakoy.
Karakoy. Istanbul.
The town of Galata was a center mainly for traders from Genoa. At that time, there was a rapid movement of ships between the two banks, and in order to protect themselves, the Genoese built in 1348 Galata Tower. 
Galata Tower. Istanbul. Türkiye.
The tower was significantly damaged during the Fourth Crusade, repaired and enlarged in 1446. The height of the tower is 70 meters, its walls are about 4 meters thick, the external diameter is 17 meters, and the internal diameter is 9 meters.
In the 17th century, traveler and romantic Ahmed Çelebi Hezarfen made artificial wings and jumped from a tower, he was able to fly over the Bosporus and landed in Yusküdar.
Now the tower houses a restaurant with a beautiful view.
Bankalar Caddesi– Bank Avenue, during the Ottoman period was the financial center of Galata.
In 1453, when the Ottomans attacked Constantinople, Pera remained neutral territory. Later, the expanding Istanbul absorbed Galata and Peru.
The area is characterized by narrow, steep streets and libertine architecture.
Let's rise to the underground funicular Tunel in Beyoglu on Istiklal Street.
The funicular was built in 1875, it connects Karakoy with Beyoglu and rises to a height of 573 meters.
*To get from Sultanahmet to Taksim you need to take the tram to the Karakoy stop, then go up to Tunel or walk. Second option: take the tram to the final stop Kabatas, then take the funicular to Taksim Square.
Taksim Square- This is the center of modern, lively and crowded. The square got its name from the central distribution (taksim) of water located here during the Ottoman Empire. Nowadays, various ceremonies and meetings take place here.
In the center of the square is the Monument of the Republic, erected in 1928 by Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica. It is curious that on the right side of the stone figure of Ataturk are Kliment Voroshilov and Mikhail Frunze, installed as a sign of gratitude for military assistance to Soviet Russia.
The famous Istiklal Boulevard (Istiklal Caddesi)– a pedestrian area with many shops, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Most of the buildings on the boulevard were built in the Art Nouveau style and date back to the end of the 19th century.
As for shopping, Istiklal Boulevard contains numerous shops of affordable Turkish and European brands. You won’t find any special designer delights here, but well-known brands are represented.
Old tram.
Streets of Beyoglu.
Streets of Beyoglu.
The most famous Catholic Church is located on Istiklal Boulevard - Church of St. Anthony of Padua.
Church of St. Anthony of Padua.
Taksim and Pera are the heart of Istanbul's nightlife, with many clubs, restaurants and cafes, where crowds of young people flock here every evening and night in search of entertainment.
Today, Istanbul's Beyoğlu district can be called an autonomous settlement consisting of 45 separate parts. Currently, about 225,000 residents permanently live on its territory. But since Beyoğlu is a center of business, leisure and culture, life in it does not stop for a minute. Every day there are up to several million visitors, including both Turks themselves and tourists.
Beyoglu district in Istanbul
During the Byzantine times, this area was called the Vineyards of Pern. For a long time, foreigners called Beyoglu simply Pera, while locals called it more broadly – Pera Beyoglu. The last part of this name nevertheless began to dominate over time, and the name Pera was completely forgotten after it was removed from official circulation in 1925.
The history of Beyoğlu is very rich and varied. The settlement of these territories began about 8 thousand years ago. A variety of peoples lived here, successively, from the Thracians to the Greeks and the ancient Romans, but before the Ottomans came to power, the area was minimally developed and was considered just a suburb of Constantinople, although important from the point of view of trade.
Active development began in 1492, when water supply was established in Beyoglu and foreign embassies began to concentrate here. The area between Galatasaray and Tunel began to develop not only as a shopping area, but also as a residential area.
Due to the fact that foreigners lived in Beyoglu almost from its very foundation, the area turned out to be much more Europeanized than other similar areas of Istanbul.
Massive development “like Europe” began in the 20s of the 20th century, during the reign of Kemal Ataturk, who was famous for his progressive views and sentiments. But at the same time, monuments of ancient architecture, such as the Galata Tower, were preserved.
Until 1927, the area's most famous street, Istiklal, was called Cadde-i Kebir, Büyük Cadde or Grande Rue de Péra in French.
It’s worth saying a little more about the sights of Beyoğlu.
Sights of Beyoğlu
Among the attractions of Beyoglu is the Galata Tower
Beyoglu is a storehouse of everything unusual and interesting. It is very difficult to single out one thing in a series of historical and modern cultural monuments, but there are several places that should definitely be visited.
Arab mosque: this Istanbul shrine dates back to 1337. The initiators of its construction were the Genoese. Initially it played the role of a Latin church, but with the arrival of the Muslim conquerors it was converted into a mosque with extremely interesting architecture (a mixture of stone and wood).
: The building dates back to 1348. The height of the tower allows you to see the beauty of Istanbul at a glance. Therefore, travelers are happy to pay for the entrance ticket in order to fully enjoy the breathtaking city panorama. 
Church of Christ: interesting not only from a historical, but also from an architectural point of view. The interior decoration amazes with its splendor. Many people talk about the unusual acoustics of the church, so it is worth visiting Christ Church during the service.
Jewish Museum of Turkey: Not far from the Galata Bridge is the beautiful Jewish Zilfaris Synagogue. It was within its walls that a compact museum complex was founded at the beginning of the 21st century. A small but harmonious collection tells about the historical and cultural relations between Jews and Muslims.
Church of St. Mary Draperis (Santa Maria Draperis Kilisesi). In the central part of Istanbul's Beyoglu district stands the famous Catholic shrine - the Latin Church of St. Mary Draperi. The landmark, dating back to the 17th century, suffered greatly from fires several times in its history, but was restored each time. The church acquired its modern appearance thanks to the famous architect from Italy, to whom ruler Abdulahmet II gave permission to reconstruct the Catholic monastery in 1904.
Salt Galata Cultural Center: This is one of the main attractions of Beyoglu. On an impressive territory there is a large number of exhibition spaces of different directions. Scientific conferences and seminars are regularly held here. Extensive research activities have been launched at the cultural center. The building itself is also an architectural monument, erected at the end of the 19th century under the leadership of the architect Alexander Vallaury and modernized with the help of the Mimarlar Tasarym architectural bureau.
You can also look at the Fish Market (Balık pazarı) - the name of the market is conditional, since in fact everything is sold here, fruits, vegetables, seafood, spices, sweets, leather goods and much more. In front of its entrance there is an arch with a sign erected in honor of its 150th anniversary.
These are not all the attractions of Beyoğlu that visitors to the city should pay close attention to. Of great interest are the Mevlevi Museum in Galata, the Depo Cultural Center, Casa Galeri and much, much more.
Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı) in Beyoğlu
Taksim Square in Istanbul (Taksim Meydanı)
The local Taksim Square should be studied in particular detail. It can be called a kind of border line between the old and new cities. Around the square there are luxury hotels, expensive and budget catering establishments, etc. The transport network is very developed. Taksim Square is a traditional venue for large-scale public events and military parades.
A large number of attractions of the area are concentrated in this territory - a park with the same name Taksim, the Independence Monument, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Ataturk Cultural Center, the Taksim Mosque, the Taksim Art Gallery and much more.
Not far from the square, Istanbul's famous Istiklal Street begins, leading to the historical center of Beyoglu.
It is in Taksim Square that official demonstrations are often held. By the way, it is here that the Gezi Park is located nearby, due to the demolition of which strikes began in Taksim in 2013. As a result, after lengthy arguments, the demolition of the park was stopped.
Fans of Galatasaray and Beşiktaş also gather in the square after matches.
It is interesting that the square has already been reconstructed a significant number of times, the architectural appearance has been improved, but at the same time the general style, which appeared in the late 30s of the 20th century through the efforts of the Frenchman Henri Prost, has been preserved to this day.
The Marmara Taksim Hotel in Beyoglu
There are a lot of hotels in this area, and accordingly the price range is quite wide. The most popular hotels are as follows:
- Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah
- Gezi Hotel Bosphorus
- Tomtom Suites
- Rixos Pera Istanbul
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Pera
- Witt Istanbul Suites
- Corinne Hotel
- Georges Hotel Galata
- CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul
If you are going to spend most of your time on excursions and trips, then of course there is no point in taking an expensive hotel, given that you will only spend the night in it. I recommend spending more time walking, having breakfast outside the hotel in picturesque places - this is much more interesting, and will also give you the opportunity to get to know Turkish cuisine and flavor better.
Shopping in Beyoğlu: Istiklal Caddesi
Istiklal Street in Istanbul (Istiklal Caddesi)
The concentration of a large number of shops is Istiklal Street, which stretches from Taksim Square to the final stop of the famous red tram.
Here you can find everything: souvenirs, clothes, silver and gold, cosmetics, shoes, antiques, Turkish sweets and much more.
Therefore, when you are going for a walk along the boulevard, plan your time taking into account the fact that you will want to look at different shops and this will not be limited to one or two hours.
Basically, all stores are open as free-standing ones; there is only one and small shopping center - Demirören Avm. On the ground floor there is a large Sephora department, there are also departments Gizia, DeFacto, Vakko (branded clothing store), Brandroom (branded clothing store), Guess, Gap, Koton and others.
Throughout Istiklal Street you can find shops: Colins's, Mango, H&M, Adidas, Lacoste, Diesel, Flo, Waikiki, MAC, SNR Shop, Kemal Tanca, Hotiç, Tudors, Elle, Mavi, Collezione, New Balance, Yves Rocher, Faik Sonmez and much more (mass market and accessory stores).
Istikal Street on the map:
Restaurants and cafes on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu
Restaurant 360 Istanbul on Istiklal Street
For lovers of cafes, restaurants and party places in the Beyoğlu district on Istiklal Street, as well as on the alleys close to it, you can find a huge number of different establishments, sometimes completely different from each other.
These include fish restaurants, club-restaurants with an unusual view, traditional Turkish kebab restaurants, pide and much more.
I will give examples of those establishments that would be interesting for a tourist to visit.
Flower passage (Çiçek Pasajı)
Flower Arcade in Istanbul (Çiçek Pasajı)
First of all, be sure to check out the Flower Arcade (Çiçek Pasajı), which is a historical landmark in the Beyoğlu district. It has been partially restored and reconstructed and is approximately 140 years old. On the territory that the building now occupies, in the 19th century there was a wooden theater of Mikhail Naum Dukhani.
Today, on the ground floor of the arcade, there are restaurants popular with both locals and tourists.
The Flower Passage is interesting not only for its restaurants, but also for its unconventional architecture, which may vaguely resemble the passages of France.
Flower passage on the map
Restaurant-bar Leb-i Derya
Located on the top floor of the Richmond Hotel. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the strait. Here you can spend an evening either in a restaurant format or at a bar counter overlooking the sea.
On weekends, Leb-i derya plays local DJs, music in the style of Lounge, Nu Jazz, Electro Bossa, Chillhouse, Nu Disco, Lounge, Jazz, Oldies and Chilout.
Menu prices for 2017: hot dishes from 36 to 55 Turkish lira, salads from 14 to 20 lira, appetizers from 14 to 36 lira, desserts from 8 to 20 lira.
Restaurant ELEOS
Eleos Restaurant in Beyoglu
Located in an alley next to Istiklal. If you pass the Russian Consulate (it will be on your left), you need to turn into the first lane on the left, after a couple of minutes of walking you will find it.
The top floor of the restaurant offers a magnificent view.
It is advisable to reserve a table before visiting, especially if you plan to visit in the evening.
The average bill for 2017 is 245 Turkish lira for two with alcohol.
360 Istanbul
This is a fairly well-known and popular place among tourists, which combines a bar, club and restaurant. What made it so famous? Of course, with its 360-degree view of Istanbul. This beauty is especially breathtaking at night. I definitely recommend visiting!
The concept of the establishment: delicious food, atmosphere and relaxation.
Menu prices for 2017: appetizers from 29 to 37 Turkish liras, main courses from 55 to 95 liras, alcohol (bottled) from 145 liras (local Turkish wines) to 2250 liras.
Restaurant Barba Rasimo
Quite an old restaurant, with Greek and Turkish cuisine. The restaurant is located on the terrace, overlooking the strait and Istanbul.
Hot and cold appetizers: from 10 to 30 Turkish liras, salads from 12 to 18 liras, main courses from 26 to 35 liras, desserts from 12 to 16 liras.
Finding the Beyoğlu area is quite easy. Beyoğlu district on the map.
Good day, friends!
But with transport, not everything is so smooth here. is losing ground already at its station of course Kabatash that even before Dolmbahce Palace it takes 10-15 minutes to get there on foot.
True, it has its own pier Beşiktaş, supporting . But direct contacts with Eminonu per day can be counted on one hand. And then, only in the morning and evening.
Buses and personal cars remain, since the metro does not reach here either.
As for me, Besiktas district is not suitable for independent tourists who want to explore the surrounding area. All-inclusive lovers should settle in here and live happily, admiring the most expensive view of the Bosphorus.
Beyoglu - the main district of the New City
Kabatas District
The quarter is located between neighboring Besiktas, Taksim and Karkoy, which is identified mainly by its ferry piers. At all Kabataş- this is a kind of analogue of a nodal center Yenikapi, but on a smaller scale.
This is the point of application of 3 forces:
- Ferries to Asia depart from here
- “tourist” finishes here tram T1 from the historical part of Istanbul
- Here funicular F1 picks up everyone and takes them up the hill to Taksim Square
From attractions nearby Dolmbahce Palace, Maritime Museum and stadium football club Beşıktaş in the neighboring district of the same name.
I don’t see much point in renting housing here. It is noisy, hectic and there is very little space to walk.
Taksim District
This includes Taksim Square and its surrounding area, including the famous Istiklal Square.
Purely for me, the tourist value of the area is zero. The monument on the square and the Ataturk Cultural Center have some kind of revolutionary character. If suddenly there is a strike and people with flags and slogans gather in a circle based on their interests.
To the north is a business center with large hotels, and behind them is the terminus of buses to and from. For me, the square is purely an intermediate point to reach Istiklal.
Another thing is the street area Istiklyal. Fun and tasty. There is a place to add calories to the body, a place to take a walk and show off on the dance floor in the evening.
This quarter will appeal to those who are not used to living in peace and quiet. There is always something going on here and the traffic never stops even at night.
A kind of Turkish Deribasovskaya and Rambala at the same time, seasoned with Parisian contrasts. Behind the fashionable facade of the first houses can often hide the discreet appearance of everyday life in Istanbul.
In general, if you like to hang out close to your deployment location so that you can always run home to change your T-shirt, then you can
You can walk to the Galata Tower, as, in principle, to the Galata Bridge. For the rest you will have to travel by metro or funicular, which can be reached by
And further. Find Tarlabasi Boulevard on the map. The area north of it is considered unfavorable, so don’t even look at housing there.
Dzhiganhir District
A quarter promoted in many guidebooks under the term Istanbul Paris . Geographically, it is located on a slope between Istiklal and the Kabatash and Karakoy regions.
A nice and pleasant area, where bright facades shamelessly mix with abandoned buildings. Here you can take an evening stroll, look for adventures, themed cafes and interesting staircases leading up to the Bosphorus.
A big and significant disadvantage is that the area is located on a slope, so all runs will be accompanied by either a loss of height or a gain of it.
And closer to the tram tracks and the Kabatash quarter you can find real slums, although not dangerous.
Galata area
This is, in my opinion, one of the most authentic and attractive areas to live in after Sultanahmet.
Firstly, you live on a hill and you have a simply beautiful view of old Istanbul across the bridge. If you can’t see something somewhere, then feel free to climb Galata Tower or a neighboring roof to expand your horizons.
Secondly, the local streets, filled with various benches and shops on a relief hill, will really remind you of Italian nooks and crannies with soulful cafes and paving stone-paved courtyards.
Walking here is a pleasure; besides, this is where the cheapest souvenirs are sold with the largest selection. You can buy gifts for all your neighbors in an apartment building for only 30-40 liras.
Not only me, but also Jewish representatives like this area. There are at least 3 synagogues, one of which is the largest in Turkey, and the Jewish Museum.
In terms of location, this is also a convenient area, since the Galata Bridge is just a stone's throw away, as well as public transport stops. The only problem , like any southern coastal Crimean resort, there are steep ascents and descents.
Excellent area in terms of location. A few steps away is the pier, from which you can take a ferry anywhere you want. Nearby is the T1 tram stop, which takes you to all the main attractions of Istanbul. Well, Galata Bridge, which sells the most delicious fried mackerel in bread that I have tried, for 10 lire.
Although Karaköy does not have the charm of the Galata area, located just above, it is suitable for those who do not share my craving for walking, especially at different levels above sea level.
There are no special attractions here, except for the one already mentioned Galata Tower And Museum of Modern Art. But due to the advantageous geopolitical position, there will be no problems with visiting the objects from my article ““.
I'll add a fly in the ointment.
Despite all the transport advantages, the area itself is slightly neglected. I think this is not at all the image you had of Istanbul, which you will see here.
Therefore, it is better to rent a hotel either near Galata or in the Sirkeci quarter.
Further more
Friends, congratulations!
After reading the 3rd article (here) on the topic of Istanbul districts, you will now be able to navigate Istanbul better than a local resident. After all, this poor fellow outside his area will get lost in no time, unlike you.
Take a roll call of your values and requirements for your habitat and feel free to choose your area and hotel to stay.
It’s great luck that there are plenty of deployment sites in Istanbul. And your eyes will no longer get tired of the number of options, since you already know what you need!
Beyoğlu is a district in the European part of Istanbul, located on a high hill on the northern bank of the Golden Horn. The name Beyoglu has its own ancient history: on the top of the hill was the residence of one of the sons of Emperor John Komnenos, and hence the name, since Beyoglu means “son of the lord.”
From the history of the Beyoglu region. Istanbul
In ancient times this place was a suburb of Constantinople. After the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, Sultan Mehmed II guaranteed security to all residents of this settlement and allowed the preservation of churches and various buildings. Residents were also allowed to exercise self-government in some matters. The old port area of Galata began to be called Karakoy, which means “black village”. Apparently the name indicated that the facades of the houses here were very smoky, and they were built from very ancient building materials by the Genoese. Now Karakoy is a modern port. In the 19th century, when construction of the new Istanbul began on the hill, magnificent buildings and houses in the Art Nouveau style, modern shopping streets and boulevards, and later supermarkets, fashion boutiques and nightclubs appeared here. In addition, the district is a major transport hub.
Transport network of Beyoglu region
The area is connected to the old city, a funicular (tunnel) runs from the bridge to it, and an old retro tram runs along Istiklal Avenue. The first station of the Tunnel is located directly opposite the Galata Bridge. This is the oldest underground railway in Europe. The second entrance is located at the historic tram ring, at the very end of the Istiklal pedestrian street. The tunnel is a rail track with cable traction and metal cars, its length is about 614 meters. There is a metro station at Taksim Square, and you can take it to the business districts of the city - Levent and Nisantasi. There is also a funicular stop there, and you can quickly get to Dolmabahce Palace.
Interesting excursions around Istanbul
The colorful historical district of Istanbul - Beyoglu
Many tourists consider the area to be a small quarter where they are concentrated. But Beyoglu is not only Taksim Square, Tarlabasi and Galata Tower, it is a huge area that extends along the banks of the Bosphorus inland to the Besiktas region. The Beyoğlu district officially includes 45 neighborhoods, many of whose names are not very well known even to local residents, much less tourists. The most famous areas for tourists are Karakoy, Kabatash, Pera, Tophane, Galata, Kasimpasa, Cukurjuma, Taksim. This is a very colorful historical area, where every building and street has its own unique history. Tourists especially love Beyoğlu for its special atmosphere, color and many attractions. The vibrant flow of life here does not stop either day or night.
It is especially noisy and lively in the center of the area, on
