Things to Do in Beyoğlu: Galata, İstiklal Avenue, Pera and Karaköy
Beyoğlu, north of the Golden Horn, grew out of the old quarters of Pera and Galata. With a Genoese tower, 19th-century apartment blocks, arcades, former embassies and meyhanes (taverns), it is Istanbul's most cosmopolitan side. Explore it on foot: climb from Karaköy to Galata, then walk İstiklal Avenue up to Taksim.
Galata
Galata Tower. Built by the Genoese in 1348 at the top of their walls, now a museum. The terrace takes in the Old City, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus at once. Tickets and queue tips are in our Galata Tower guide.
Galata Mevlevi Lodge. Founded in 1491, Istanbul's first lodge of the whirling dervishes. Its wooden hall is now a museum, and sema ceremonies are held on certain days.
The Camondo Stairs and Bankalar Street. Curving Art Nouveau stairs lead down to Karaköy's old banking street. The former Ottoman Bank building is now SALT Galata, with exhibitions and a library.
İstiklal Avenue and Pera
İstiklal Avenue. A pedestrian street of about 1.5 km from Tünel to Taksim, with its red nostalgic tram, 19th-century buildings, churches, arcades and bookshops. The Tünel funicular, running since 1875, is one of the oldest underground lines in the world.
Çiçek Pasajı. The glass-roofed arcade of the 1876 Cité de Pera at Galatasaray. Behind it, the Fish Market and Nevizade Street are the heart of Istanbul's meyhane culture.
Pera Museum. Home of Osman Hamdi Bey's "The Tortoise Trainer", a strong Orientalist collection and changing exhibitions.
Pera Palace and Asmalımescit. The Pera Palace Hotel opened in 1892 for Orient Express passengers. Next door, Asmalımescit's lanes are full of meyhanes and bars.
The stepped French Street (Cezayir Sokağı) and Mandabatmaz, famous for its Turkish coffee, fit into the same walk.
Karaköy and Tophane
Karaköy, with its pier, old hans, breakfast spots and fish restaurants, is busy all day; see our Karaköy guide. Next door are the Galataport waterfront and Istanbul Modern in its Renzo Piano building. In Tophane, Mimar Sinan's Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque is worth a stop.
Cihangir and Çukurcuma
On the slope between İstiklal and the Bosphorus, Cihangir has steep streets, cafés and plenty of cats. Neighbouring Çukurcuma is known for antique and vintage shops. One of our walks links them:
Walking routes in Beyoğlu
Practical tips
- Getting there: the M2 metro stops at Şişhane and Taksim, the T1 tram at Karaköy and Tophane. The Tünel funicular climbs from Karaköy.
- Hills: the climb from Karaköy to Galata is steep. Start at Tünel and walk downhill instead.
- Crowds: İstiklal is packed on weekend evenings. Visit Galata Tower at opening time.
- Evenings: meyhanes in Asmalımescit and Nevizade, jazz at venues such as Salon İKSV and Nardis.
FAQ
What should I see in Beyoğlu on a first visit?
Galata Tower, the Galata Mevlevi Lodge, İstiklal Avenue, Çiçek Pasajı, the Pera Museum and Karaköy. All fit into one day on foot.
Are Beyoğlu and Taksim the same?
Taksim Square is inside the Beyoğlu district. İstiklal Avenue runs from Taksim down to Tünel near Galata.
What is the easiest way to reach Galata Tower?
Take the M2 metro to Şişhane and walk a few minutes, or ride the Tünel funicular up from Karaköy.
Where do people go out in Beyoğlu?
The meyhanes of Asmalımescit and Nevizade, the bars of Cihangir and the jazz clubs around İstiklal.