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İstanbul is the new cool!
With its millennia-spanning historical heritage, a wide array of vibrant cultural offerings, mouth-watering cuisine and breath-taking vistas, İstanbul is a destination guaranteed to inspire visitors from all walks of life. Let’s take a closer look at the city where cultures and continents unite…
Topkapı Palace
Topkapı Palace
Published On 14 Nov 202314 Nov 2023
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As an imperial capital spanning the Eastern Roman (Byzantium) and Ottoman eras, İstanbul has long served as a bustling crossroads combining contemporary culture and deep-rooted history. As one of the most vibrant locations in Europe, the city is a cultural hub, drawing hipsters, culture mavens and classicists alike. From art exhibits to crafted cocktails, İstanbul is a fashion-savvy creative hot spot drawing inspiration from thousands of years of cultural heritage.
Hagia Sophia
The Historical Peninsula
Undoubtedly, the best place to begin exploring this bustling treasure trove is the Historical Peninsula. Some of the city’s must-see landmarks are within walking distance, from the iconic domes of the Hagia Sophia to the grand minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. Meanwhile, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapı Palace, gives visitors the chance to discover the splendor of the empire’s court and the beauty of the harem, the sovereign’s private chambers.
Sultanahmet Mosque
While the recently renovated İstanbul Archaeological Museums continue to pay tribute to the masters of antiquity, a five-minute stroll from these halls will take you deep underground to the 6th-century Basilica Cistern —a cavernous marvel that has welcomed several Hollywood blockbusters, including “From Russia with Love” and “Inferno.” With recent art installations adorning this hallowed site, the mysterious beauty of this aquatic subterranean setting is bound to leave a lasting impression on all who venture below. The Grand Bazaar, being among the most renowned tourist attractions, offers a bountiful shopping experience, one that whisks you back in time. Founded in the 15th century —as one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets with 55 streets, 20 entrances and more than 4000 shops— the bazaar offers limitless choices for every budget, from colorful souvenirs to seminal rugs and unique hand-crafted jewelry.
Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern
Sidamara Sarcophagus, İstanbul Archaeological Museums
A Thriving Capital of Art, Design and Culture
At the entrance of the pedestrian thoroughfare that is İstiklal Boulevard, Taksim Square is the city’s cultural heartbeat once again, thanks to the renovated Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (AKM - Atatürk Cultural Center), a vanguard palace for the performing arts. The center’s main Opera Hall, designed in the shape of a giant sparkling-red globe, welcomes a host of operas, symphonies and performing arts extravaganzas.
Each year, the neighborhood is also animated by the Beyoğlu Culture Route Festival, spreading over 80 important cultural heritage sites, including the İstanbul Cinema Museum & Atlas 1948, Grand Pera Emek Stage, St. Antuan Church, the Pera Museum and the Tophane-i Amire Arts & Culture Centre, as well as the city’s state-of-the-art cruise terminal, Galataport, which houses several exclusive fashion stores and a good selection of food and beverage outlets by Boğaziçi (The Bosphorus). Right next door, you’ll find the new home of İstanbul Modern, the city’s pioneering museum of contemporary art, which eagerly awaits the reopening of its gates in 2023. Another art behemoth is the brand-new İstanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum by the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, which houses some of the most important examples of Turkish art from the late Ottoman to the modern periods. More than 200 paintings by Turkish artists from the 1870s are displayed on the walls in the sumptuous halls of the National Palaces Painting Museum, inside the nearby Dolmabahçe Palace’s former Crown Prince Residence. To enjoy more art along the Boğaziçi, head to Emirgan to discover the Sakıp Sabancı Museum’s rich and versatile collection, and the view of the city from the Museum’s beautiful garden is surely not to be missed.
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In the newly burgeoning neighborhood of Dolapdere, pioneering contemporary art galleries and museums like Arter have firmly established their new presence inside modern structures. One of the latest openings in the city is the Rami Library. The former 18th-century Rami Barracks have been reincarnated as the city’s largest and 24/7 open library —the first sustainable of its kind in the country— with millions of volumes for all ages and imaginations.
And on the shores of the Golden Horn, Tersane İstanbul, the former imperial shipyard of the Ottomans, is coming to life again with a project that aims to be the new center of art and culture in the city. İstanbul becomes even more vital in its artistic life, with the endless events hosted by Contemporary İstanbul, the city’s leading annual art fair staged at Tersane İstanbul, bringing together about 60 international art galleries. Another eagerly awaited event on the city’s cultural calendar is the İstanbul Biennial, which is held every two years with a rich roster of exhibitions and events highlighting some hidden gems, historical spots and unexpected venues scattered all around the city.
Neighborhoods with Character
Every neighborhood in İstanbul has its own distinct appeal, with Karaköy and Moda (Kadıköy) spilling over with trendy bars, cafes and restaurants; Balat and Fener full of timeless charm; and Şişli and Nişantaşı offering a wealth of shopping opportunities. Take a day to mosey off the tourist trail and explore the markets, vintage stores, antique shops, artisan studios and hyper-cool micro coffee roasters in these and other unique haunts.
Many of the rustic former fishing villages lining the shores of the Bosphorus have since become hip neighborhoods where İstanbul society comes to see and be seen. Arnavutköy, Kuruçeşme and Bebek, famed for their sumptuous array of Ottoman-era seafront mansions, are now home to elegant cocktail bars and gastropubs and the people to match.
Along the Golden Horn waterway, one cannot fail to notice the imposing Galata Tower. Built in 1348, the tower stood as the tallest structure in the city for most of its history. In the Galata neighborhood, you’ll be quickly absorbed into the buzz of the city’s contemporary life, with a wide array of design studios, art galleries, coffee houses and fine-dining restaurants lining the surrounding cobbled streets.
Shopping experience in Istanbul
Time to Unwind
With so many sights and sounds to see and hear while exploring this vibrant hub, you may soon find yourself in need of a little self-care. Luckily, help is at hand, as the city is replete with countless historical hamams (Turkish baths), which are a unique, traditional means to unwind. As a purification ritual that has endured for thousands of years, the baths are more than just a traditional way to get squeaky clean; they provide a natural tonic to the stress of modern life.
A Slice of Country Life in the Metropolis
İstanbul’s delights are far from limited to the banks of the Bosphorus. A pleasant ferry ride takes visitors to the Princes’ Islands (Adalar) long admired by residents as a wistful escape from city life. On a clear day, these nearby jewels in the Marmara Sea are visible from the city’s coast. The Princes’ Islands consist of a cluster of nine small islands that have been explored and enjoyed by a notable line of historical figures. Walk the cobblestone streets framed by historic mansions, many festooned with mimosas, bougainvillea and other colorful flowers. You can enjoy this proximal escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, indulging in the temptation of the plethora of family-run seafood restaurants and cafes lining the picturesque waterfronts. Don’t forget to take a bathing suit with you, as this is the best place to enjoy the Marmara Sea in all its glory!
Turkish mezes
MICHELIN Guide’s New Destination
Throughout history, İstanbul has been the center of gastronomic traditions that span continents and also the birthplace of Ottoman palace cuisines. Selected as the 38th destination of the MICHELIN Guide, İstanbul and its exceptional kitchens are preparing to proudly showcase their culinary talents. Now is the time to discover these restaurants that are ready to take gastro-tourists on a journey through flavor and aroma as well as the culture that paved their way.
