Do you want to discover Istanbul from the other side, unknown to most tourists coming here? We offer a walk through six extremely atmospheric and not central districts of the city. These areas are considered non-tourist, but locals like to relax here, so it will be crowded and noisy on weekends. Come here on a weekday if you prefer walking in peace and quiet.
Balat & Fener
The neighboring districts of Balat and Fener are located on the southern side of the European part of Istanbul on the coast of the Golden Horn Bay. Historically, Balat was the largest Jewish district of the city, most of whose inhabitants moved here in the Middle Ages after being expelled from Spain. The neighboring Fener was inhabited by Greeks who preferred to settle next door to the residence of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Both districts are known for their colorful stone houses, cute coffee shops and small shops of local designers and antiques. And, of course, the impressive Greek school building.
Ortaköy
Ortakoy district is located in the European part of Istanbul near the Bosphorus Bridge. Once it was a small fishing village. Hence its name “middle village”. The main attraction point of the district is the Ortakey Mosque, one of the most beautiful in Istanbul. The mosque building was built in the middle of the XIX century in the style of the Ottoman neo-Baroque. Architects from the Armenian Balyan family, the most famous dynasty in the Ottoman Empire, worked on its creation. Dolmabahce Palace in Besiktas is also their work.
Arnavutköy
Arnavutkey district is located in the European side of Istanbul between the Bosphorus Bridge and Sultan Mehmet Fatih Bridge. Literally, its name translates to “Albanian village”. This is because in the XIX century Albanian builders were settled here, who came at the suggestion of the sultan to lay roads in Istanbul. Arnavutkey and its neighboring Bebek are considered elite districts. In addition, it is a popular location for filming Turkish TV series. However, the area is most famous for the traditional Ottoman wooden houses with carved balconies, again wooden columns and other facade decorations.
Bebek
Bebek is an elite area in the European part of Istanbul on the coast of the Bosphorus near the Sultan Mehmet Fatih Bridge. A significant part of the area is occupied by the impressive medieval Ottoman fortress Rumeli Hisarı. Literally Bebek means “baby” from Turkish. However, legend has it that this name became an abbreviation of the phrase “pupil in the eye of the Bosphorus”, because it was this fortress that allowed the Ottoman army to block shipping through the strait and conquer Byzantine Constantinople in the 15th century.
Kuzguncuk
A small area in the Asian part of Istanbul, Kuzgunjuk, has gained extraordinary popularity recently. Historically, it was considered the most non-Muslim area of the city. It was inhabited mainly by Jewish, Armenian and Greek populations. From those times to the present day, colorful wooden and stone houses have reached, located in even rows along the wide main street of Kuzgunjuk. Since the late 1980s, filmmakers have chosen this area and local streets began to appear in Turkish TV series. Gradually, coffee shops and bakeries began to open here, and Istanbul residents followed them. Now, according to Vibe, the area is somewhat reminiscent of “one-story America”. It is best to come here on weekends, that’s when this unique atmosphere is created.