Istanbul City Center Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Activities


Our pick of the best Istanbul City Center Hotel Deals

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

5 out of 5
Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6, Elmadag/Sisli, Istanbul
The price is AU$464 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
AU$464
2 Aug - 3 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! (1,024 reviews)
"Great place… the best in Istanbul"

Reviewed on 29 Jul. 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$230 per night from 14 Aug to 15 Aug
AU$230
14 Aug - 15 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! (2,035 reviews)
"We arrived at the hotel before the check-in time but the hotel front desk attendant assured us to get our room ready as quickly as possible. My family appreciates the hospitality and caring attitude after a very long tiring flight from the U.S.The breakfast buffet was a treat every morning with a ..."

Reviewed on 29 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 AU$297 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
AU$297
18 Aug - 19 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! (1,000 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
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! (485 reviews)
First Visit
"Fantastic location in the thick of the historic centre. Helpful and friendly staff, quick to recommend attractions and the best way to go about things. Also got tips on what to avoid and what to watch out for."

Reviewed on 28 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 AU$266 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
AU$266
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 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 AU$193 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$193
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 indoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (785 reviews)
The only place I would stay
"I love this hotel and there is no where else I would stay when I visit Istanbul. Location is amazing. Close to tram stop and you also have a mall about 2 min walk. The service is great. Decor in the rooms are amazing. Free use of sauna steam room and pool. They even have a women’s only health club ..."

Reviewed on 29 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 featuring a sunset, general coastal views and a marina

Fatih

4.5/5(230 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 a city, cruising and general coastal views

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 night scenes, a bay or harbour 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 night scenes, a bay or harbour 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 pond, a mosque and a fountain

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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