While Sultanahmet may get all the glory in terms of places to stay in Istanbul, visitors should also wander across either of the two major waterways. There may not be the Ayasofya, Blue Mosque, or Topkapi Palace in the European Beyoglu, but it’s where the locals live.
My first impression of Beyoglu was at 8 pm when the bus dropped me from the airport on the fringes of Taksim Square. I’d heard the name repeatedly over the past few months and not for good reasons. But on that Friday night, it was alive with people out on the town, not protesting.
I checked my handwritten directions as I made my way down the neighborhood’s thriving pedestrian street, full of shops and restaurants. On a side street from the fish market was #bunk, my home for the next few days. It was a great base for exploring the lesser-frequented European side of Istanbul.
Dining Options
On the short walk from Taksim Square to my hostel, I was bombarded with at least one hundred delicious eats. The kebab wheels turning and chestnuts roasting mingled with fresh seafood at the Fish Market to make my head spin. Nearly every type of cuisine was represented, including one of two of Istanbul’s Shake Shacks!
Shopping on Iskitlal Caddesi
At nearly every waking moment, there were locals wandering down this street, shopping, chatting with friends, and taking advantage of the free WiFi. I heard the cheers of revelers every night when I went to sleep and when I was up at 6 am to take a tram to catch my tour, there were still people stumbling home. If you want to see the nightlife of Istanbul, this is where to see it!
Views from Galata Tower
The Venetian Galata Tower is the most iconic structure in Beyoglu, towering 66 meters (216 feet) above the city. The tower was built in the 1300s as a means of defense. Today, 12 lira ($6) will get you to the observation deck via elevator for arguably the best views in the city. There’s also a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy a glass of Turkish tea.
Vintage Tram
The vintage tram is another Beyoglu icon, running through Iskitlal Caddesi and Taksim Square. It connects to the Tünel station, where you can hop on another, more modern, tram to get to historic Istanbul.
Culture and Museums
I seek out art museums in every country I visit and luckily for me, the Istanbul Biennial was going on during my stay and is only a short walk from #bunk. This summer’s protests in Gezi Park played a large role in the event, as works focused on what becomes of the public space. The Istanbul Modern museum of art is also in Beyoglu, showcasing works by Turkish and international artists.
My stay in Istanbul was hosted by #bunk Hostel and Hostelworld, but all opinions are my own.
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