Top Istanbul Neighborhoods to Visit for a Perfect Autumn Getaway

İrem Uğur
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Connecting two continents and hosting many civilizations throughout history, Istanbul has been the capital of three great empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. As a result, each of its neighborhoods harbors a wide cultural diversity and a deep historical texture. Especially the oldest neighborhoods, which have been around for a very long time, welcome you with a completely different atmosphere during your visits to Istanbul. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul in the near future, don't miss this article where we list the must-see neighborhoods of the city.

1. Galata

Galata, which has become one of the historical and symbolic neighborhoods of Beyoğlu, famous for its nights, is one of the places you should definitely make time for while visiting Istanbul with its famous tower, lively streets and the places it hosts on its streets. Galata Tower, which has become one of the symbols of the city, is as famous for its restaurants as it is for its stories. You should definitely visit Galata Bridge, St. Anthony's Church, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkish Jews Museum and Kamondo Stairs in this neighborhood, which offers a deep-rooted history and a magnificent view of the city.

2. Balat and Fener

A fascinating part of Istanbul with its unique historical texture, Fatih is a peninsula surrounded by Byzantine walls, the Golden Horn and Marmara Sea. Balat and Fener in this district, which reflects the Ottoman culture, can create a wonderful sightseeing route for you. If you want to enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of Istanbul, you should first visit Fener and then Balat, following the coastal road from Cibali. These neighborhoods, which have been transformed and popularized in recent years, attract attention with their bay window houses, antique shops, nostalgic cafes and historical bakeries. If you plan to visit the Fener-Balat line, we recommend that you do not leave this neighborhood without visiting historical places such as Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Iron Church and Bulgarian Sveti Stefan Church.

3. Beşiktaş

Besiktas, which has an absolutely different and special atmosphere, is home to the most important palaces of Istanbul. The Besiktas coast offers a wonderful view with the splendor of Dolmabahce, Yildiz, Feriye and Çırağan Palaces. This neighborhood, which is home to the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Turkey's first fine arts museum, as well as the Istanbul Maritime Museum, fascinates its visitors with its green parks and groves. We are sure that you will love this neighborhood with its lively and colorful life, markets, culture and art events, nightlife and shopping centers.

4. Kadıköy

Kadıköy, one of the important meeting points of Istanbul, is an ideal destination for those who want to breathe in the chaos of Istanbul with its nightlife and nature. This neighborhood, which will fascinate you with its beach, historical texture and many other beauties; It is also one of the places where the heart of the city beats in cultural and artistic terms. Although the places to visit in Kadıköy mostly consist of attractions that appeal to art lovers, it is also worth seeing with its historical buildings. Moda Beach, Bull Statue, Haydarpaşa Station and Pier, Bahariye and Bağdat Street, Süreyya Opera and Toy Museum are among the places you will want to visit in this neighborhood.

5. Üsküdar

Üsküdar, formerly known as Scutari, has historically been one of the largest settlements on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. In addition to its historical and architectural richness, this neighborhood, known for its natural richness where green and blue meet, is also very rich in terms of places to visit. The Maiden's Tower, which is one of the first places that comes to mind when it comes to Üsküdar, fascinates visitors to this city with its beauty. Other places to visit in Üsküdar include Çamlıca Hill, Beylerbeyi Palace, Abdülmecit Efendi Mansion, Validebağ Grove and Adile Sultan Pavilion, Selimiye Barracks, Florence Nightingale Museum and Mehmet Naci Aköz Kite Museum.

6. Sarıyer

Sarıyer, located on the European side, is at the point where the Bosphorus opens to the Black Sea. Although this region is not one of the first places tourists visit when they come to the city, it contains many hidden gems. During the Byzantine period, the neighborhood was a forested area with many cypress trees. Today, it is home to the Emirgan Grove, a favorite of the Istanbul Tulip Festival. The Yellow Pavilion, Pink Pavilion and White Pavilion, the work of the Egyptian khedive Ismail Pasha, who built many magnificent mansions in Istanbul, are still standing in Emirgan Grove. In these mansions, each of which has been turned into a restaurant by the municipality, you can enjoy nature while tasting great flavors.

7. Büyükada

Büyükada, one of the most touristic places in Istanbul, is the largest of the group of islands called the Prince Islands. Biking through the streets dominated by colorful bougainvillea, rediscovering historical mansions and enjoying the deep blue beaches are the most preferred activities of visitors. Büyükada, which becomes even more beautiful with the orange leaves surrounding its streets in autumn, is a very valuable neighborhood with all its natural beauties as well as its cultural and architectural texture. If you want to get away from the noise and traffic of the city, this island can be a daily escape for you.

8. Sirkeci

Sirkeci, one of the most popular districts of the Historical Peninsula, is especially preferred by foreign tourists. When it comes to places to visit in Sirkeci, the first thing that comes to mind is the Spice Bazaar, famous for its colorful spice displays, and Eminönü, where tradesmen in the area host thousands of tourists every day. Other places you can visit in Sirkeci include Gülhane Park, which is green and scenic, the New Mosque, the Historical Sirkeci Station, the Grand Post Office Building and the Türkiye İş Bankası Museum. This neighborhood, which maintains its vitality with human traffic, is a must-visit for those who want to discover the soul of Istanbul.