To know the city and its roots, it’s always advised to explore its famous and appealing streets. And that’s the same you are supposed to do when exploring Istanbul in Turkey. Walking around in & around the popular streets of Istanbul, Turkey, will allow you to be closer to the city’s history, modern-day life, and local culture.
It is the popularity of certain streets in Istanbul that has made this city be pinpointed on a world map of tourism, real estate, gastronomy, and fashion. Whether you are looking for apartments to buy in Istanbul or are exploring the city for its delicious cuisine and shopping hubs, here are some of the best dreamy streets of the city you shouldn’t miss at all.
A Guide to the Famous Streets of Istanbul
Without further delay, let’s dive into the list of popular streets of Istanbul, Turkey, known for their exquisite appeal and cultural significance:
1. Istiklal Street
Among the popular destinations in all of Istanbul, Turkey, Istiklal Street holds a special place. It is also known as the heart of the city, and is vibrant enough to justify its name. It is one of those Istanbul streets that pulls the crowd, not just for its nostalgic vibe, but also for the cultural attractions.
This street stretches from Taksim to the Tunel Square. It is a pedestrian street that is known by people for its years-old tram service. Not just that, but Istiklal Street is also a popular nightlife destination for European Istanbul. People of Istanbul consider this street a shopping hub for almost anything they seek to buy.
2. Bagdat Street
The Asian part of Istanbul houses the most luxurious street of the city that stretches across 16 neighbourhoods. Baghdad Street has earned its fame as one of the most popular shopping, entertainment, and international cuisine destinations for people. It is the popular Istanbul shopping street that has its historical traces across scenic coastline routes.
The Bagdat Caddesi is also home to many historical mosques such as Galib Pasha, Cadesbostan Zuhtu Pasa, and Kiziltoprak. Initially, the Baghdad Street was made to connect traders and travellers to the central commercial hub at Constantinople. Big brands like Louis Vuitton have their base in this street, calling all luxury buyers to do hefty shopping when here.
3. Abdi Ipekci Street
A luxury Istanbul shopping street, Abdi Ipekci, is prestigious and luxurious in many ways. This Caddesi has earned its fame by providing people with various entertainment venues and luxury shopping. You ought to have a loaded bank account if you want to shop from the various International and Turkish brands out here, as they pay hefty dollars as rent.
Brands like Chanel, Hugo Boss, and others have marked their presence on this street, and have been crowd pullers for years. This street is named after the assassinated journalist and has been praised for reflecting the true luxury of Istanbul. Fashionable cafes, upscale ambience, and prestigious neighbourhoods make this Istanbul street exclusive.
4. Nispetiye Street
Social life in Istanbul is quite vibrant, with Nispetiye Street being at the centre of it all. This busy street is located in the prestigious Besiktas neighbourhood. Turkish foods, designer shops, international restaurants, jewellery stores, chic cafes, and more. This street is also home to the underground Istanbul’s M6 metro line.
Nispetiye Istanbul Street is close to the popular Akmerkez Mall, which is a crowd’s go-to place for shopping, entertainment, and dining. It is also one of the popular historical streets that has made the Etiler district a popular place for people to buy a house for sale in Istanbul or settle in. Beyond that, this place also boasts its leafy boulevards and affluent ambience.
5. Cukurcuma Streets
You can’t miss out on the antique haven of Istanbul, and Cukurcuma Street offers you just that! This street is located in the Beyoğlu of European Istanbul and projects an outstanding charm, backed by the cultural significance of the city. Visitors wandering on this street often praise the idea of travelling back in time, every time they are here.
There are historical Ottoman-era buildings, a bohemian ambience, and narrow cobblestone streets to scale the ambience of this place. It is one of the best streets in Istanbul that attracts collectors, antique enthusiasts, and artists from all over the world. The Cukurcuma Street was once a working-class neighbourhood, but in the 20th century, it underwent a cultural renaissance. Now, this street attracts diverse communities of artisans, intellectuals, and creatives.
6. Vodina Street
The colourful houses of Istanbul, famous all across the globe, are situated on Vodina Street of the Balat district. This place is also popular across the social media platform, Instagram, attracting locals, tourists, and leisure visitors. It is one of the best streets in Istanbul with cultural and historical significance.
The history of Vodina Street in the Balat district dates back to the Byzantine times, which was once a thriving residential and commercial area. This place was earlier inhabited by the Greeks, Turks, Armenians, and Jews. In the modern day, Vodina Street has undergone several revitalisation efforts followed by renovation projects.
7. Bahariye Street
Whether you live in Istanbul or are here for a leisure vacation, you ought to take a stop at the historic and popular tram line. This line connects the Asian Istanbul and is located amidst a vibrant atmosphere. This Istanbul street connects the Kadikoy district, which is a popular tourist destination. Beyond that, it is also a popular hub for the locals to shop around.
When in one of the best streets in Istanbul, Bahariye Caddesi, you can expect to witness a variety of shops selling almost everything, from daily goods to antiques. Among the many things to explore here at Bahariye Street, the Sureyya Opera House is the most admired place. It is only one of the two in all of Istanbul, and the building was first opened in 1927.
8. Galip Dede Street
Galip Dede Street of the Boyoglu District is a must-visit destination for all tourists, situated on Istiklal Avenue. This street is named after the famous poet, Seyh Galip, and is also referred to as one of the oldest streets of Istanbul, Turkey. When on this street, you must visit the most popular landmark, which is the whirling dervishes.
Many tourists come here to witness the Sema performance, where they circle around to be part of the Godly celebration. This ritual takes place in the Galata Mevlevi Lodge from the 15th century. For several years, this street was surrounded by nothing but forests. But, everything changed by the 1800s, as new shops were opened to boost sales and trade.
9. Bankalar Street
Bankalar is one of the most symbolic Istanbul streets, which is today referred to as Voyvoda Caddesi. This street is located in the Karakoy district and is a symbol of the former financial empire of the Ottomans. Bankalar Street connects Kemeraltı Street and goes up to Sishane. There are many 19th-century buildings all lined up on either side of the street.
When walking on Bankalar Street, you will be lost in the art-nouveau architecture of the buildings. Today, these buildings are mostly used as hotels or offices. But, imagine the aura this street used to create for people who lived back in the Ottoman days. Even after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century, Bankalar Street was preserved as the financial heart of Istanbul for the next 70 years.
10. Perihan Abla Street
The Asian side of Istanbul has this beautiful, nostalgic, and picturesque street, Perihan Abla. You will find here the ancient wooden horses, scenic waterfront promenade, narrow streets, and many more attractions to spend quality time around. A lot of Turkish daily soap operas are filmed at Perihan Abla Street.
This place has a rich, laid-back and multicultural ambience, blended with Armenian, Jewish, Greek and Ottoman influences. You will be part of the reflection that this place holds for its diverse past. When at Perihan Abla Street, you can explore everything from the historic synagogues and churches to the artisanal workshops and vibrant street markets.
Quaint cafes, boutique shops, and historic buildings are all part of the cultural significance that this Istanbul street has to offer. It is one of the best Istanbul streets, offering glimpses of Kuzguncuk’s artistic and cultural soul. All the tea and cafe houses in this locality will soothe your senses with the tempting aromas, backed with a cosy ambience.
Conclusion
These were the 10 most popular streets of Istanbul, Turkey, that you can’t afford to miss, if you are new to the city or are here for a vacation. Whether you want to cover all the popular tourist spots, buy villa in Istanbul, or get those luxury goods for yourself, these are the best streets for you to explore.
Be assured, ticking off these streets on your list will ensure you have covered most of what Istanbul has to offer. From the popular streets to the mindblowing architecture of buildings, there’s a lot around these destinations that have been global attractions. Indulge in the silent storytelling of Istanbul through these streets and the ambience around them.
