The interesting districts of Istanbul stretch across this great city's Anatolia and European sides. Separated by the Bosphorus strait, and in the case of European Istanbul, the Golden Horn, populous districts earn fame for several reasons, whether this is tourism, business, or luxury living. From the biggest district to shopping centres, the historical peninsula and more, they present colourful places in Turkey's largest city.
Within these regions, smaller neighbourhoods are not administrative divisions but stand out in housing markets. Although Istanbul is globally famous, a fun fact is that population registrations say only 22% of people are initially from Istanbul. Hence, this proves the global popularity, as people flock from other areas of Turkey, and the world, to invest, live and work in the city.
From historical tourist landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Dolmabahce Palace to modern buildings, the European side commands respect from everyone. Being a cultural centre and hub of business, education, and finance, the European part is crucial. Everything happens here, from tourists visiting the old city centre to residents crossing the Bosphorus bridge for work and pleasure. From foreign investors who flock for property deals to cosmetic surgery patients, the European city centre attracts people from all over the globe with excellence, style, and ambience. So, let's look at the districts that cover it.
Bordering the Black Sea, Arnavutkoy features the famous new airport, which saw a frenzy of investors flock to buy land during construction. This neighbourhood covers 453 kilometres with 38 individual suburbs. One is Karabun, the second most popular beach district after Kilyos.
Covering just 50 kilometres, the name means hunters in Turkish because, during Ottoman times, hunters protected the villages that were outside the main city walls. Avcilar has ten neighbourhoods, but with no significant claims to fame, tourists rarely go there. Likewise, home buyers prefer other areas instead.
Bagcilar houses many industries, especially light engineering, textiles and printing, newspapers, and TV channels. Bagcilar sits between the two major ring roads, the TEM and E5.
This large middle-class residential suburb includes well-lit parts like Basin Sitesi and Yayla, tree-lined avenues with attractive buildings, small parks, big shopping malls, and small cafes. Prominent landmarks include the Unverdi shopping centre and Omur Patisserie/Cafe on the E5 highway. Bahcelievler covers 5% of land and houses over 570,000 people.
Established for the middle class, near the E5 main road and Marmara Sea coast, Bakirkoy attracts the middle classes, including merchants, bureaucrats, and government retirees. Bakirkoy's best-known areas include Upmarket Atakoy, transformed by a massive waterfront project integrating residential and commercial use. The 1000-slip Atakoy Marina, built in 1988, features excellent facilities and services. Yesilkoy boasts wooden Art Nouveau houses, Yesilkoy Burnu Marina, and a few sandy beaches, and connects via the suburban railway line (Banliyo Treni) between Sirkeci and Halkali.
In Ottoman times, Basaksehir, manufactured gunpowder, and scientific exploration also dates Yarimburgaz Cave, the major attraction to the mid-19th century. Restaurants, cafes, and playgrounds surround Basaksehir Pond, making it great for families, while Sular Vadisi (Water Valley), another huge park, has a four-kilometre walking track, playgrounds, and thematic water attractions.
Bayrampasa once mass-produced artichokes, but now, although there is no production, a large town statue of an artichoke symbolises the region.
Besiktas means "cradle stone" in Turkish. Besiktas includes relatively expensive, upper-middle class neighbourhoods like Yildiz, Kurucesme, Ortakoy, and Arnavutkoy. Several museums and palaces have also earned mass fame, including Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, and Ciragan Palace, while Arnavutkoy and Bebek seafront areas regularly attract day trippers to seafront fish restaurants. Levent and Maslak compete as business districts. Close to Levent and Maslak commercial centres, Etiler attracts elite members of society with villas and private residences. Nispetiye Road is the core centre of Etiler, with cafes, restaurants, and designer shops. Ortakoy neighbourhood is popular for its brilliant seashore nightclubs and many cultural sites, including the 18th century, Neo-Baroque style Ortakoy Mosque and the nearly 500-year-old Turkish bath.
Beylikduzu is close to Ataturk Airport and the Tuyap Exhibition Centre, which hosts international trade shows. It is north of the Marmara Sea, south of Esenyurt, east of Buyukcekmece, and west of Avcilar.
Stretching from Karakoy (Galata) and Galata Bridge to Taksim Square, the main thoroughfare is Istiklal Caddesi, a pedestrianised mile-long street of shops, 20th-century buildings, restaurants, pubs, bookshops, theatres, and art galleries. The nostalgic tram on Istiklal Avenue was reinstalled in the early 1990s to revive historic atmospheres. Three neighbourhoods stand out in Beyoglu. Cihangir attracts bohemians, expats, and hipsters. Cukurcuma is where antique and vintage stores have opened, attracting foreign and local enthusiasts hunting for a unique bargain. Tepebasi is more upscale than the rest of Beyoglu. This neighbourhood is home to hotels, including the historic Pera Palace and lively restaurant and bar scenes.
Buyukcekmece has gained more fame in coastal suburbs over the last decade. Sit in seafront tea gardens and let your kids play while you enjoy a picnic with sea views. The Mimar Sinan Bridge is here.
Catalca, the largest district, boasts of natural beauty and rural charm, with lush forests, rolling hills, and pristine water reservoirs, like Büyükçekmece and Sazlıdere reservoirs. Rich in history, featuring the Byzantine Anastasia Wall and Ottoman-era mosques and bridges, Catalca excels in outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and picnicking in Çilingoz Nature Park.
Esenler is a densely packed, working-class residential area near Gaziosmanpasa, Gungoren, and Bagcilar. Although rarely talked about, most people travelling by bus know about it because of the vast inter-city bus terminal.
The multicultural atmosphere of Esenyurt is reflected in various restaurants, shops, and cultural centres. Marmara Park Mall attracts the crowds, as does Torium Mall, which has an indoor snow park, family-friendly attractions, and many shops. Meanwhile, parks and green spaces include Esenyurt Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Park and Şehitler Parkı. For house hunters, Esenyurt has the lowest housing prices per square metre.
Although there are non-Muslim neighbourhoods, Eyup is not one. The largely conservative and Islamic hub earned fame for Abu Ayyub al-Ansari Mosque and tomb (in Turkish, Eyüp Sultan Türbesi), who was a companion of the prophet Muhammad.
As one of Turkey's prime tourist sites, Fatih encompasses historic buildings like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and a wide range of tourist accommodations. The former walled city was historic Constantinople, and highlights include Istanbul University, Beyazit Square, bustling markets, and several defunct Byzantine defensive gates.
Edirne Kapi is the gateway to the Church of Saint Savior in Chora or Kariye Camii, and Ayvansaray sits at the base of the Old Galata Bridge near the remains of Blachernae Palace. Notable areas include Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Findikzade, Capa, and Vatan Caddesi. Aksaray is convenient for travellers as significant roads pass through it, but most people look at nearby properties for sale since Fatih receives high demand but low supply, which forces prices up.
Gaziosmanpasa, named after Gazi Osman Pasha, an Ottoman military commander, excels in commercial and economic activities. Ongoing urban renewal projects also aim to improve living standards and public spaces. The M7 metro line connects significant areas and passes through Gaziosmanpasa, while Venezia Mega Outlet and Forum Istanbul provide residents with retail and leisure options.
This densely populated residential region, known for working-class characters and vibrant communities, lacks major tourist attractions. However, the proximity to historical and commercial areas, like Fatih and Bakırköy, adds appeal. As the smallest district, covering just 7 square kilometres, there are 11 neighbourhoods.
This traditional working-class region inland from Etiler, built along a stream, is now undergoing significant urban redevelopment. It is part of a “green” movement with gardening, sustainability projects, and Sadabat Park.
Kucukcekmece, known for its rapid urbanisation, is named after the lake, which connects to the Marmara Sea. Historically an essential waypoint on Roman and Ottoman roads leading westward from Constantinople, Kucukcekmece excels in residential and commercial growth, attracting families and young professionals with affordable housing and improving infrastructure. Atakent neighbourhood stands out for its upscale residential complexes and proximity to major amenities, and Kucukcekmece also hosts cultural and educational institutions, including the Istanbul Aydın University campus, which contributes to lively atmospheres.
Sariyer, the northernmost region, features coastal and forested regions with the highest prices per square metre, the famous Buyukdere Street, and the Rumelihisari fortress. The aqueducts of Belgrad Forest boast historical architecture, as does the historic lighthouse in Rumelifeneri village. Sariyer also leads to the Bosphorus Yavuz Selim bridge. Notable areas in Sariyer include Emirgan, a former hunting retreat.
Resitpasa above Emirgen boasts attractive villas and the modern Istanbul Stock Exchange, Istanbul Technical University campus, and Istinye Park shopping mall. Yenikoy has luxury hillside villas, while the once-grand Tarabya Hotel dominates Classy Tarabya. Buyukdere was initially quiet, composed mainly of old, peaceful neighbourhoods, but this changed with the construction of expensive apartments and condominiums. Formerly the Byzantine Petra area, Bahcekoy is Sariyer's northernmost village, near Belgrade Forest.
Sitting on the outskirts, during summer, the population increases by as much as five times, thanks to Silivri’s status as a holiday resort. Known for the 16th century, Uzunköprü's long bridge of 32 arches has no major tourist attractions, but many outdoor activities have sprung up. There are 35 neighbourhoods, and the Istanbul centre is roughly a 90-minute drive away.
Sisli, north of Taksim Square and Istiklal shopping street, sits inland at the exit from the Bosphorus Bridge, which links Asia to Europe. This elite neighbourhood reflects the old meets new, with mosques, Christian churches, and Jewish synagogues alongside shopping malls like Cevahir Mall. There are the Lutfi Kirdar concert halls and exhibition centres, university facilities, a military museum, and theatres. Tesvikiye, an affluent neighbourhood with luxury properties, attracts writers, and artisans. Meanwhile, Macka Palas is Turkey’s version of Rodeo Drive, which has fancy designer stores and Art Nouveau apartment blocks.
With one border on the TEM highway, in 2008, Sultangazi broke away from Gaziosmanpasa, Eyüpsultan, and Esenler because of population growth to become an official district. It contains 15 neighbourhoods, sits inland, and lacks any coastal presence or significant claims to fame. As a result, it is lesser talked about.
Zeytinburnu, on the Marmara shore, just outside the ancient city walls, beyond the fortress of Yedikule, is undergoing infrastructure and transportation upgrades. Other projects will undoubtedly transform the area. The region is known for textile industries, especially leather making.
This side presents an alternative face, from delectable Turkish coffee shops to historical landmarks in Bagdat Caddesi. For repeat visitors and house hunters looking for slower-paced alternatives, Asian Istanbul features many must-visit attractions, breathtaking views, and desirable neighbourhoods. Covering the eastern half, roughly 4 million people live here.
Ferry services run to these nine islands in the Marmara Sea, of which Buyukada is popular for day trips, and famed for old Ottoman mansions. Disgraced royalty was exiled here in former times.
Modern Ataşehir, a business centre with a suburban quarter at the junction of the O-2 and O-4 motorways, is popular in real estate scenes. Most high-rise buildings are luxury skyscraper apartments. Ataşehir hosts company headquarters and offices and has top leisure facilities like gyms and restaurants. One neighbourhood is named after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the Turkish Republic.
Beykoz at the northern Bosphorus end features expensive houses owned by politicians and famous people. You can see huge, wooden Ottoman seaside houses called yali from Anadolu Hisari up to Beykoz, and hillside forests along much of this coast make Beykoz waterfront a peaceful retreat. Inland around and between Cumhuriyet Koyu, Ali Bahadir, Degirmendere, Akbaba, Dereseki and Polonezkoy are popular retreats and new roads service luxury housing. Beykoz is an entrance to the famed Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.
Cekmekoy, established on the southern side of Keciagili Hill, is part of Alemdag forests. Ozyegin University is here, and families with children like the large housing estates with security.
This sizeable commercial region, connected by the M4 rapid transit line, mostly attracted students and traders, but its fame grew—along with property prices. Kadikoy’s attractive shopping areas include Bahariye Street, the fish market, and the Sali Pazari Tuesday Market. Bagdat Avenue, with old plane trees, flanked by shopping malls, also hosts department stores, fashion garment stores, restaurants serving international and local cuisine, pubs and cafes, luxury car dealers, and bank agencies.
Notable areas include attractive Moda and Fenerbahce and long-established residential areas with seaside restaurants, cafes, and bars. A path along the seafront from Kadikoy stops the tram to Moda. Meanwhile, middle-class Suadiye, Bagdat Caddesi, Kalamis, Kozy Atagi, and Fenerbahce are home to many trees and parks.
The Kartal Urban City Project between Maltepe and Pendik, transformed this abandoned industrial site into the world's first fully green "city." With a central business region, luxury residential developments, and cultural facilities, Kartal is also the terminal station of the Kartal—Kadikoy metro (M4), and the Haydarpasa-Gebze Line commuter trains pass through Kartal. Several well-known private and state schools operate here, including the first German-language school.
This cheaper alternative to pricey Kadikoy, between Kadikoy and Kartal, has fantastic coastline views across the Princes Islands. Old Maltepe seafront boasts of small winding streets, quaint homes, decent restaurants, and bars.
Pendik, already known by Formula One fans due to the racetrack, sits between Kartal and Tuzla, and boasts expensive apartments with coastline views. It also offers rail and high-speed boat services to Yalova.
Covering 63 square kilometres, Sancaktepe broke away from Kartal in 2008 due to rapid population increases. Sitting inland and formed of 19 neighbourhoods, the Aydos forest is just a 30-minute drive away for weekend getaways.
This small town, about 70 km from Istanbul centre, at the northernmost point, was a fishing village for centuries and has featured a lighthouse since the Ottoman period. Today, Sile Beach Resort is popular without the expense of travelling to Turkey’s Mediterranean Sea areas. Expect a small but sandy beach, a little harbour of fishing boats, a dense forest behind and pleasant atmospheres during the week. Sile is known for sile cloth, a crimped-looking, light, see-through cotton fabric sent to bazaars.
Inland Sultanbeyli covers 35 square kilometres and was originally farmland until 1945. Officially becoming a village, the population boost came about in the 1980s by linking roads to the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Bridge. At one time, developing a reputation as a slum, the local council cleaned up, becoming known as a middle-class working suburb.
Asian Tuzla sits between Kartal and Pendik, on a headland at the city's eastern limit. It boasts a popular seafront and seafood restaurants. This popular location for wealthy or retired residents to buy homes is less crowded and has ideal residential neighbourhoods.
Sitting inland from Üsküdar, Ümraniye excels in urban planning, with wider roads and more social amenities. It consists of 37 neighbourhoods, and shopping centres have also boosted its profile. One main road leads to a bridge crossing the Bosphorus.
Üsküdar offers blended traditional Turkish life and modern urban vibes with conventional and contemporary coffee shops, narrow streets great for exploration, and eateries serving traditional Turkish cuisine. Üsküdar sits with Kadikoy to offer an impressive ferry port that provides services just 30 minutes by ferry to Istanbul’s European side. The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, and Şemsi Paşa Mosque are exemplary, and souvenir shops sell traditional crafts like ceramics and antiques. For stunning views, head to Salacak Promenade or Çamlıca Hill. Otherwise, Maidens Tower, on a small islet off the coast of Üsküdar, offers incredible views and a restaurant reached by water taxi.
How many districts are there in Istanbul?
There are 39 districts, 25 in Europe and 14 in Asia. Some are more famous than others for specific reasons. Fatih is known as the historic peninsula, while Sariyer has the most expensive residential property for sale. Places like Beylikduzu see mass housing estates come to life as outskirt neighbourhoods grow.
Which district is best in Istanbul?
This depends on your reason for asking. For example, Fatih is best for tourism purposes. For shopping and nightlife, Beyoglu is best—additionally, expats in the Cihangir neighbourhood are looking for somewhere to live all year round. Etiler attracts working families, while Eyup, a conservative district, is for those who wish to pay homage to Islamic culture.
What is the most beautiful area of Istanbul?
We love Besiktas covering the Bosphorus shorefront. Places like Ortakoy historic mosque and Bosphorus views are great for sitting and watching the world go by. However, Gulhane Park near the Topkapi Palace is stunningly beautiful, especially during the annual tulip festival in April. There are many lovely places, but for a surefire bet, anywhere along the Bosphorus.
Where do Billionaires Live in Istanbul?
There is more than one luxury housing region for wealthy people. On the Bosphorus shore, Bebek has a marina for luxury yachts dropping by. Luxury cars often park outside high-class cafes. Nisantasi earns fame for high-brand-name shops and establishments. Renting a property here will set your bank balance back. Additionally, Besiktas and Sariyer have expensive properties for sale.
Which Side of Istanbul is Better for Tourists?
The European side is better because of the historic attractions. There is more choice in terms of luxury and budget accommodations. People flock to Sultanahmet to see attractions like the Basilica cistern, blue mosque, and old city walls. Additionally, heading over the Galata bridge, they explore Beyoglu with cobbled streets, antique shops, and more famous landmarks.
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