Overview of the Main Tourist Areas in Istanbul

Istanbul is a huge city, consisting of no less than 39 districts. Each of these districts contain several towns – among which famous ones like Sultanahmet and Taksim. Luckily, finding your way around town as a tourist is not that difficult as long as you keep the big picture in mind. I therefore divided the city into the following six (not too big) areas, housing most of the tourist attractions:

• Historical Peninsula (purple), south of the Golden Horn
• Contemporary Istanbul (red), north of the Golden Horn
• the area along the Golden Horn (blue)
• the shores of the Bosphorus (green)
• the Asian shore (pink)
• the Princes’ Islands (not on the map) Overview of Istanbul tourist areas

Historical Peninsula

Boroughs: Beyazıt, Eminönü, Fatih, Kumkapı, Mercan, Sirkeci, Sultanahmet, Tahtakale, Eminönü Sightseeing spots: Archaeology Museums, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Harem, Hippodrome, Museum of Hagia Eirene, Topkapı Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Spice Bazaar

Contemporary Istanbul

Boroughs: Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Cihangir, Galata, Karaköy, Nişantaşı, Ortaköy, Şişli, Taksim, Tophane, Tünel, Yıldız Sightseeing spots: Dolmabahçe Palace, Flower Passage, Galata Tower, Istanbul Modern, Istiklal Caddesi, Nevizade, Taksim Square, Tünel, Shopping Centers

Along the Golden Horn

Boroughs: Balat, Eyüp, Fener, Sütlüce Sightseeing spots: Rahmi Koç Museum, Miniatürk, Pierre Lotti, Orthodox Patriarchate

Shores of the Bosphorus

Boroughs: Arnavutköy, Bebek, Hisar, Istinye, Kuruçeşme Sightseeing spots: Fortress of Europe, Historical Houses, Istinye Shopping Center, Open-air Night Clubs,

The Asian Shore: Kadıköy, Moda

Boroughs: Fenerbahçe, Kadıköy, Moda, Üsküdar Sightseeing spots: Bahariye Caddesi, Bağdat Caddesi, Fenerbahçe Marina, Fortress of Anatolia

The Princes’ Islands

Islands: Burgazada, Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kınalıada Sightseeing / Activities: Monastery of St George, wooden mansions, horse-drawn carriage rides, bicycle tours, beaches

Beyond the City Center

Boroughs: Bakırköy, Beykoz, Sarıyer Sightseeing spots: Anadolu Feneri, Kilyos, Istanbul New Airport, Şile, Ağva, Polonezköy, Riva, Bakırköy, Florya, Beykoz Park