Istanbul City Center Travel Guide

Istanbul

Istanbul City Center
Hagia Sophia featuring heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and a city
Basilica Cistern showing religious aspects, interior views and a church or cathedral
Galata Tower featuring a ferry, skyline and a river or creek
Hagia Sophia which includes interior views, views and religious elements

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


Top hotels in Istanbul City Center

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

5 out of 5
Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6, Elmadag/Sisli, Istanbul
The price is £227 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
£227
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,018 reviews)
"Mehmet the manager is amazing!"

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is £113 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
£113
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,046 reviews)
"Gret"

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
InterContinental Istanbul by IHG

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG

5 out of 5
Asker Ocagi Cad No: 1 Taksim, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is £145 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
£145
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & 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! (1,019 reviews)
"Excellent location and impeccable service. Close to metro station at Taksim square accessible to all major attractions. Staff at check in Desk went above and beyond. Concierge very helpful to arrange Bosporus cruise . Breakfast was fantastic and was included in the room, it is a standard in Istanbul. ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £80 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£80
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (483 reviews)
Ideal location in Sultanahmet
"This was the perfect spot to stay in Sultanahmet. A short walk to both the blue mosque or the grand bazaar and only 1 min walk to a tram stop it gives you already access to all the main tourist spots in Sultanahmet. The staff at the hotel were super friendly and helpful and upgraded us to joining ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

Cankurtaran Mh., Tevkifhane Sokak 8, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is £130 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£130
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (999 reviews)
"This hotel was great, excellent, helpful staff and clean rooms. I had a bit of a problem with the AC, but this was quickly addressed, and I am happy with the way that it was dealt with. The location is also excellent."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
Ottoman's Life Hotel Deluxe

Ottoman's Life Hotel Deluxe

5 out of 5
Molla Gürani Cd., Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is £94 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
£94
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 indoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (783 reviews)
"Clean, professional and comfortable."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 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 neighbourhoods around Istanbul City Center

Istanbul which includes a city, a marina and a sunset

Fatih

4.5/5(1,512 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Fatih. Blue Mosque is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Yusufpasa Station to see more of Istanbul.

Fatih
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Sirkeci

Travellers choose Sirkeci for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sirkeci Station or Eminonu Station and check out top sights like Topkapi Palace.

Sirkeci
Galata Tower featuring cruising, general coastal views and a city

Galata

Travellers choose Galata for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Karakoy Tünel Station and check out top sights like Galata Tower.

Galata
Galata Tower featuring a bay or harbour, night scenes and a ferry

Karaköy

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

Karaköy
Galata Tower featuring a bay or harbour, night scenes and a ferry

Beyoğlu

Enjoy the popular shops in Beyoğlu. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Tophane Station to see more of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu
Blue Mosque which includes a fountain, a mosque and a pond

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Sultanahmet


Istanbul City Center Travel Guide

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