The most important tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there
When you decide to go to the tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there within Turkey, this article is the best guide for you. Through it, you can choose the best tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there to spend a pleasant vacation. This article can give you the pros and cons of each area and neighborhood. Istanbul is one of the most important cities on earth that we can be proud of as a tourist area due to its strategic location on the road between Europe and Asia, thus it is able to connect the Western and Eastern worlds with each other.
Its presence within this region has helped it have a diverse and rich history, which made it a central place for many civilizations, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Its cultural richness is represented in the architecture, variety of foods and distinctive sites in the city.
There are also many different civilizations that have ruled it and you can see many ancient Greek and Roman monuments in addition to the presence of churches, palaces and buildings with Byzantine and Italian influences, with the presence of many Ottoman baths and mosques. Thus, this city is considered the intersection of two major continents culturally and physically.
We will show you the most important tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey with a population of 15 million people and an area of 1,539 square kilometers. Therefore, it is considered one of the largest cities on Earth. Istanbul is also divided into 39 regions, 25 of which are located on the European side, while 14 regions are located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Strait.
One of its most important features is that each region is distinguished by its atmosphere, charm and unique and distinctive experience, so you should visit at least three or four regions during your first trip to enjoy it. Istanbul also has reasonably priced hotels in luxurious places. There are many different regions and you can choose according to what suits you and your interests and budget as well.
Tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there
Sultanahmet area
Sultanahmet area is one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul and one of the most tourist attractions and one of the most famous areas as well. This area is located in the heart of Istanbul when it was called Constantinople, as it is the center of many famous tourist attractions, including the Hagia Sophia Church, the Blue Mosque and many other areas. This makes the area an ideal place to stay in Istanbul for tourists for the first time.
Sultanahmet is one of the most important tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there, as it is considered the cultural and historical heart of the city. It is also the main part of the city, surrounded by many straits and seas in the south, east and north.
On the western side, there are the old city walls from the days of the Byzantine Empire, as well as many winding streets and charming passages. Visitors usually visit the best cultural, historical and religious sites in the city. These famous landmarks are located at reasonable distances from each other.
The victory of the Hagia Sophia Church and Museum, which was built 1,500 years ago, is considered one of the most legendary achievements of engineering, and visitors are able to cross a street to the Blue Mosque. You can also go to the Hippodrome, which dates back to the Roman and Byzantine eras of Constantinople.
Travelers can also visit many places to eat and Turkish and Greek cuisine, and you can tour the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.
The Ottoman Imperial Topkapi Palace, where Ottoman emperors were invited to explore for about 400 years, and the Istanbul Archaeological Museums feature over a million works in their impressive collections, including artifacts from the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. Budget-friendly places are rare in this old neighborhood, but there are plenty of mid-range options.
Eminonu / Sirkeci
It is considered one of the best tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there, especially for families, when you go east from Sultanahmet to the Eminonu area of the city, which contains the Grand Bazaar with its great appeal. This neighborhood also includes many shops, vendors, religious sites, and mosques. One of the most attractive things about it is that it is one of the options that require an acceptable budget. The Grand Bazaar Center is one of the sites of interest to marketers and is surrounded by many distinctive cultural, historical, and religious sites.
This area is one of the most preferred options for families to stay in this city, as it is located a distance from the best tourist attractions, especially for areas such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia Church, and many others.
There are about 4000 shops in the Grand Bazaar, which is an attraction for most residents there and is considered one of the largest markets covering the region. There are also many Turkish foods, sweets and desserts displayed in the Spice Bazaar, which also contains 80 individual shops.
Eminonu Square is also a wonderful place that makes you feel the daily movement and life within the crowded streets, where you can eat Turkish food that is inexpensive, delicious and fast, so it is considered one of the family-friendly and distinctive places for them.
There are also many areas in the surrounding areas that attract tourists, where visitors can enjoy the presence of the Valens Aqueduct, which is a distinctive Roman work that reaches a height of 29 meters and extends to about 971 meters.
You can also take a boat tour on the Bosphorus Strait to enjoy the charming and wonderful views that characterize this huge city. This area also gives visitors the ability to enjoy a unique way within the historical district of this ancient city that they will never forget.
Among the nearby areas, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the neighboring Balat district, also called Faith. This district dates back to the Greek, Armenian Orthodox and Jewish history within Istanbul. This area also contains many beautiful old churches and houses that you can enjoy. Among them is the Church of St. George, which is still considered the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is a brick building in the shape of a castle towering above this district.
There are also many young people who have established many businesses within the historical streets such as ceramic workshops, coffee roasters, shops or exhibitions.
One of the best tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there in the Eminonu/Sirkeci area is the Orientbank Istanbul Autograph Collection Hotel, as well as the Mercure Istanbul Sirkeci Hotel or the Erboy Hotel
Bayazit and Laleli
Bayazit and Laleli are located in the European part of Istanbul. Beyazit Square is located in the Fatih district. This place offers affordable accommodation and is close to the main tourist attractions. This square is also called Freedom Square, but it still retains the old name that came from the Beyazit II Mosque, which represents a quarter of the current district and is a wonderful entrance to Istanbul University, where there are two architectural monuments dating back 1700 years and are distinguished by being admired by many people.
Karakoy
It is considered the most important tourist attractions in Asian Istanbul and we will show you the tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there in Karakoy, which is considered the most wonderful district in Istanbul and its population reaches more than 10 million people. It is one of the most important ports in Istanbul and many cafes, shops and restaurants are being renovated. This renovation has been ongoing since the beginning of 2010. This area attracts many tourists during the weekend.
There are many distinctive shops, sophisticated restaurants, well-organized hotels and many vendors in this area. Its location is also ideal for enjoying the wonderful views of the surrounding areas of Istanbul.
There are also many activities that you can do and many things that you can see in Karakoy, including the Ottoman Bank, which was built of marble and features an amazing glass roof. There is also an art gallery, a cafe, a library, a museum and a shop within it, allowing many visitors to easily spend a special time in this wonderful building.
There is also the Kilic Ali Pasha Bath, which travelers can participate in, as this bath dates back to the fifteenth century AD and features a different and unique interior design.
You can also enjoy the breathtaking views when walking across the Galata Bridge to the Sultanahmet area. There are two very beautiful mosques that we recommend you to see: the underground mosque and the attractively decorated Nasriye Mosque. There are also two mosques in the Karakoy area that are worth seeing: the underground mosque, which is located on the border with Beyoglu.
Galata Tower in Istanbul
The medieval Galata Tower offers wonderful and amazing panoramic views. There is also the free Museum of Painting and Sculpture, which contains a wonderful collection of artworks.
Galata has its own character separate from everyone else, as the prominent architectural monument in Galata is the historic Galata Tower overlooking the neoclassical buildings and cobblestone streets. It is considered one of the oldest neighborhoods in all of Istanbul and is characterized by being a lively and fun area, where you can enjoy beautiful nightclubs in addition to modern bars, distinctive and quiet cafes.
The best tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there are in the Karakoy area
JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus, Weingart Istanbul, and Wolf Hotel. You can also see many shows in Karakoy hotels and also the Beyoglu area, which is one of the areas with a great location, and contains many restaurants and bars, and the Beyoglu district is an ideal choice for accommodation in Istanbul. It is considered one of the most important tourist areas in Istanbul and how to get there as it is located in the northwest of Karakoy. Beyoglu and neighboring Galata are also considered among the best nightlife areas in the city as they contain the largest number of restaurants, bars and clubs as well. It is characterized by some areas that attract attention, including the popular pedestrian street, Istiklal Street, which attracts tourists during the day and night.
Art lovers are attracted to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, which features a huge collection of contemporary Turkish paintings.
The Cukurkuma neighborhood is also very popular, which is known as the Museum of Innocence. It is a literary museum established by the Turkish author who won the Nobel Prize, Orhan Pamuk. Its name comes from his award-winning novel of the same name.
You can also dine with a great view, enjoy jazz at Nardis, and enjoy Turkish wine at an underground wine bar, all within one neighborhood in Istanbul. If you are looking for a relaxing end to the day at night, you can head to Cat Restaurant & Bar, which is considered one of the best bars in all of Istanbul. Music and bar lovers can enjoy live Turkish music at the very cozy Galata Tavern.