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$450 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
AU$450
5 Nov - 6 Nov
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! (1,020 reviews)
"Really a 5 star property. Staff was outstanding."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
InterContinental Istanbul by IHG

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG

5 out of 5
Asker Ocagi Cad No: 1 Taksim, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$280 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$280
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,015 reviews)
"Beautiful property and great staff. Room was not equipped with new amenities and toilet paper was not replaced."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

InterContinental Istanbul by IHG
CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul

CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul

5 out of 5
Gümüssuyu Mah. Inönü Cad. No:8, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$461 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
AU$461
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"Clean room with great view of bosphorus sea, helpful staff with fast service, very good break fast. Located very close to bosphorus and also a 5 minute walk to taksim square"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul
The Marmara Taksim

The Marmara Taksim

5 out of 5
Taksim Square, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$286 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
AU$286
15 Nov - 16 Nov
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! (1,008 reviews)
"Wow just wow great location great room and staff club level was wonderful and again really nice staff if it taksim you want to stay near this is the only choice"

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

The Marmara Taksim
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$197 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
AU$197
15 Nov - 16 Nov
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! (2,129 reviews)
"Great service! Great location! good food"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Divan Istanbul

Divan Istanbul

5 out of 5
Asker Ocagi Cd. No:1, Taksim, Sisli, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$317 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
AU$317
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,023 reviews)
Fantastic Hotel
"Where do I start? My husband and I absolutely LOVE this hotel. What makes it amazing is the staff and mgmt. truly outstanding service and they try to go above and beyond to surprise the guests and keep us engaged and happy. Special managers that are superb: Bulent Colak & Nilgun … they got to know ..."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Divan Istanbul
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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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
Default Image

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


Istanbul City Center Travel Guide

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