Istanbul City Center

Istanbul

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

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

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is €160 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€160
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,063 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful concierge. I highly recommend this hotel"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

5 out of 5
Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6, Elmadag/Sisli, Istanbul
The price is €277 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€277
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"A gem in the center of the best shopping, dining and entertainment area of Istanbul. Taksim and Gakata are only minutes away walking. The staff is exquisite and extremely helpful and cordial. The hotel is clean and classy"

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
The Marmara Taksim

The Marmara Taksim

5 out of 5
Taksim Square, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is €161 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€161
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"The best"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

The Marmara Taksim
InterContinental Istanbul by IHG

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG

5 out of 5
Asker Ocagi Cad No: 1 Taksim, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is €167 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
€167
30 Aug - 31 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! (1,004 reviews)
"The property is really nice, well maintained, staff very friendly, concierge GREAT."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG
Pera Palace Hotel

Pera Palace Hotel

Mesrutiyet Cad. No. 52, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €206 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€206
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"Nice spot. Good location though a little far from some of the main attractions. Old fashioned of course but that’s part of its charm."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Pera Palace Hotel
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is €111 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€111
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (517 reviews)
"Lovely hotel - very clean and great location within walking distance to major attractions Staff are extremely helpful"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
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 sunset, a city and a marina

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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Eminönü

Known for its breathtaking beach views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Eminönü. Check out top attractions like Grand Bazaar and Eminönü Square, and jump on the metro at Eminonu Station or Beyazit Station to see more of the city.

Eminönü
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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 which includes cruising, a marina 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


Istanbul City Center

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