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Museum of Wander

How to Spend a Day in Karaköy – Istanbul’s Coolest Neighbourhood

Hit the hip streets of Karaköy on a self-guided walking tour. From culture to trendy cafes and breathtaking views, Karaköy has it all. Let’s walk, eat, and discover Istanbul’s coolest neighbourhood together

Welcome to Karaköy, Istanbul’s vibrant neighbourhood that seamlessly blends history, culture, and culinary delights. Sitting on the European side of the city, cool Karaköy is a must-visit destination with something to offer for every traveller.

In this blog post, you can join us on a self-guided walking tour of Karaköy and experience the top things to see, do and eat in this part of Istanbul’s Golden Horn. Spending a day in Karaköy is the perfect way to spend a day in Istanbul.

Our day in Karaköy colours a bit outside the lines (yes, I know we are so badass) as we dip into the adjacent neighbourhoods of Tophane and Galata.

The boundaries between these neighbourhoods are somewhat blurred due to their proximity and shared historical connections. When exploring Karaköy, visiting Galata and Tophane or vice versa is necessary, as they offer a rich tapestry of cool vibes and experiences in the heart of Istanbul.

Wonder no more what there is to see and do in Karaköy. This guide to Karaköy has you covered from breakfast until after-dinner dessert. So go put on your most comfortable pair of shoes and hit the streets of Karaköy/Galata/Tophane with us.

You’ll find a map of this Karaköy self-guided walking tour at the bottom of the post.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Quick Guide to Karaköy

Staying in Karaköy? This neighbourhood is also one of the best places to stay in Istanbul. We loved VAV Suites Galata , and we’re sure you will too.

This great little studio apartment was PERFECT! Great location, kitchenette, washing machine and is near public transportation. If you want to stay in one of the best locations in Istanbul, look no further. How long to spend in Karaköy? Our day in Karaköy is a full day, from breakfast until dinner and after if you still have energy.

How to get to Karaköy: You can easily reach Karaköy from Sultanahmet and Eminönü by walking across the Galata Bridge. Alternatively, take the Bagcilar-Kabatas tram (T1 line) and get off at the Karaköy stop.

If you’re coming from Taksim, you can also use the Bagcilar-Kabatas tram (T1 line) from Kabatas. Another option is to take the Tunel-Karaköy funicular (F2 line) from Istiklal Avenue. Both methods will conveniently bring you to Karaköy.

Karaköy can also be reached by ferry coming from Kadiköy or Kabatas.

Exploring Karaköy Neighbourhood

Karaköy is simply beautiful. From the top of a hill that the Galata Towers stands on, its narrow streets cascade down towards the waters of the Golden Horn, where you’ll see fishermen trying their luck while ferries commute passengers across the iconic waterway. 

The neighbourhood is OLD but ALIVE. Age-old Byzantine and Ottoman buildings are now home to trendy cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries, while others still house old-school bakeries, corner shops or apartments. The street art and unpretentious vibes give Karaköy a distinct artistic and bohemian atmosphere.

Karaköy is home to notable landmarks, with the iconic Galata Tower being the most significant. The tower offers, arguably, the best views in Istanbul. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Karaköy is home to the Istanbul Modern, a contemporary art museum that underscores Karaköy’s cultural scene. And between this, you get the mosques, churches, synagogues, corner shops, scrap metal joints, markets, and who knows what else.

The culinary scene in Karaköy is a treat for foodies and normal people like you and me alike. Restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors offer the best Istanbul eats, from tables heaving under  kahvalti   to the iconic  balik ekmek , fresh seafood and diabetes-inducing baklava. Exploring the neighbourhood’s cafe culture and culinary delights are definitely things to look forward to in this part of Istanbul.

Breakfast at Van Kahvalti Evi

Our day in Karaköy starts at one of our favourite spots in Istanbul – Van Kahvalti Evi. If breakfast is the meal of champions, then Van Kahvalti Evi is the champion of the breakfasts.

This Istanbul institution is just a 10-minute walk from our apartment, right on the edge of Tophane in the neighbourhood of Beşiktaş.

Van Kahvalti Evi (Van Breakfast House) specializes in a traditional Kurdish-style breakfast from the city of Van in eastern Turkey, and boy, oh boy, it’s a feast for your taste buds.

Picture this: a table filled to the brim with an array of little plates of cheeses, olives, honey, kaymak, jams and preserves, tahini, honeycomb and a selection of warm bread. And let’s not forget about the eggs, fresh cucumber, tomatoes, herbs and the free flow of tea.

From Beşiktaş to Galata via Tophane

After breakfast, head downhill towards the Tophane neighbourhood with a short detour to the top of Sanatkarlar Park. From here, you’ll have a stunning view over the Nusretiye mosque, the Istanbul Modern, and the Golden Horn leaving the Bosphorus, with iconic landmarks like the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque in the backdrop.

Continue downhill, passing the impressive domed Tophane-i Amire Culture & Arts Center, a converted Ottoman Arsenal from the 15th century, on your left.

Soon, you’ll reach Kumbaracı Ykş. Take a right turn here, and you have a choice. If you’re up for it, head all the way uphill towards Istiklal Street, Istanbul’s famous shopping strip, and then head downhill to the Galata Tower from there.

But if you’re looking for a more local experience, we suggest heading up Kumbaracı Ykş a hundred metres or so and then taking the narrow streets leading to Galata. We think Istiklal is better after dark, so we take the narrow streets to Galata.

Kumbaracı Ykş is home to a few fantastic quirky shops and galleries. If you’re on the hunt for a unique carpet or kilim, we highly recommend visiting Persona ( location ).

Atalay, the owner of Persona, is refreshingly laidback compared to other carpet dealers, and he offers a collection of affordable and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Be sure to ask if he has any Senneh rugs; we snagged one ourselves, and it’s absolutely exquisite. If you see something you like, it’s a good idea to think it over during your walk today and return in the afternoon to pick it up.

Roughly follow our map, and after more than a few accidental discoveries, distractions and detours, you should reach the Galata Tower.

Galata Tower

Towering above Karaköy, the 63 m tall Galata Tower is a symbol of the city and one of the top attractions in Istanbul . On our previous two visits to Istanbul, we were happy with exploring the area around the Galata Tower, but we did not go up.

We decided to see Istanbul from the top of the Galata Tower this time, and we’re glad we did. The tickets are on the pricey side, and you might have to wait in line for quite a while to buy a ticket, but still, it is an Istanbul experience not to be missed.

An elevator whisks you off to the top floor, where you can see a model of the city before heading outside to the viewing terrace. From the top of the Galata Tower, you’ll have an unsurpassed 360-degree view of Istanbul.

Look to the left of the Galata Bridge, and you’ll spot the Tophane-i Amire Culture & Arts Center, where you started from earlier.

After seeing Istanbul from every angle and taking way too many photos, head back inside and take the stairs to exit. The lower floors have displays of the tower’s history and a cool VR-video game-thing you can play to fly over Istanbul.

Kamondo Stairs

Leaving the Galata Tower behind, the streets slope down towards the Golden Horn. The area between Galata Tower and Galata Bridge is where you’ll see just how diverse the neighbourhood is.

Here you’ll see mosques rubbing shoulders with Byzantine-era churches, synagogues, cellphone shops and graffiti and the odd scrap metal joint sitting between a bakery and apartment buildings.

Take a slight detour to pass the Ashkenazi Synagogue before getting back on track and head to the Kamondo Stairs.

The Kamondo Stairs might look like Gaudi dreamt them up, but they are, in fact, the work of the prominent Jewish Kamondo family, who were influential bankers in the Ottoman Empire.   

In the 1870s, the Kamondos constructed this architectural masterpiece in the Neo-Baroque and early Art Nouveau styles. 

The stairs were intended as a convenient shortcut for Mr Kamondo to reach  Bankalar Caddesi  (Banks Street) and for his children to get to school. Legend has it that the beautiful curves of the staircase were intentionally designed to prevent the children from tumbling too far in case of a fall.

Kamondo Stairs are a hotspot for Instagrammers and posers, so good luck getting a good snap. 

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find yourself on Banks Street.

Bankalar Caddesi & SALT Galata

Bankalar Caddesi (Banks Street) shows an entirely different side of the Karaköy neighbourhood. As the name suggests, it is renowned for its association with banking and finance.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bankalar Caddesi became a hub of financial institutions and was the financial centre of the Ottoman Empire. Several local and foreign banks set up their headquarters along this street, solidifying its status as a prominent financial district.

The architecture along Bankalar Caddesi is a beautiful blend of Ottoman, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau styles. The grand buildings that line the street still bear the architectural imprints of their banking past, evoking a sense of grandeur.

While the grand buildings remain on Bankalar Caddesi today, the banks have mostly moved out to the modern commercial districts in the 90s.

However, it has also experienced a revitalization in recent years, with the emergence of trendy cafes, boutiques, and art galleries, adding a vibrant and contemporary touch to the area.

To get a glimpse of the grandeur and cultural revival of Banks Street, you must visit SALT Galata.

Housed in the former headquarters of the Ottoman Bank, SALT Galata offers a diverse range of artistic and cultural programs. It features exhibition spaces, a library, a research centre and hosts various events and activities related to art, design, architecture, and social issues.

Visitors are free to explore on their own. There is also a cafe inside. Entrance is free of charge.

Arap Mosque

Shortly after leaving Banks Street, you’ll find yourself in streets filled with hardware shops. You’re going in the right direction if you see lots of metal.

I remember thinking to myself that the mosque had a very Italian feel to it when I first saw it. It wasn’t a coincidence since it was initially a Roman Catholic church built in 1325.

The Ottomans converted the church to a mosque around 1475. The name Arap Camii (Arabian Mosque) derives from the Andalusian Muslim refugees who escaped the Spanish Inquisition and settled in Galata in 1492.

The rectangular church was built in the Gothic style, and the bell tower was transformed into a minaret resembling the Umayyad mosque in Damascus.

Stepping inside the mosque, I was somewhat overwhelmed by its tranquillity. The plush red carpet and warm wooden accents created an atmosphere of peace and calm, making it one of the most serene places of worship I have ever visited.

Lunch & Afternoon

Super mario.

By now, it should be a little after lunchtime. Jolly good because one of Istanbul’s best bites is just around the corner.

Once you reach the Karaköy waterfront, you’ll find yourself between the Golden Horn on one side and a line of warehouses selling metalware on the other. 

You’ll find Istanbul’s most famous  balik ekmek between these warehouses . Balik Ekmek , or fish sandwich, is something you must eat when in Istanbul. But don’t just eat any fish bread – for the best, you must come to Super Mario on the Karaköy waterfront.

Mario’s balik ekmek is grilled to perfection mackerel spiced with his secret ingredients and rolled up in a flatbread with some veggies and pomegranate molasses.

Grab a table outside and watch boats ply up and down the Golden Horn while chomping down on Mario’s famous fish sandwiches. To complete the scene, add an icy Efes lager or two.

One of Mario’s super fish sandwiches goes for TRY 60.

Galata Bridge

Spanning the Golden Horn and connecting the neighbourhoods of Karaköy and Eminönü, the Galata Bridge holds a unique position in Istanbul’s landscape. While it doesn’t physically link Europe and Asia, crossing this iconic landmark feels like stepping between two worlds.

On one side, you have trendy and contemporary Karaköy, while on the opposite side, the traditional allure of Sultanahmet with its magnificent domes and spires awaits.

The Galata Bridge is indeed a meeting of different worlds, where people from all walks of life walk across daily. Local fishermen, tourists from near and far, photographers capturing special moments, and regular working-class individuals all converge here.

With its distinctive double-deck design, the bridge caters to both pedestrians and vehicles. The upper level accommodates cars, a tram line and pedestrians, while the lower level is exclusively for foot passengers. The lower level is lined with restaurants and cafes offering a front-row seat to observe the pulse of Istanbul passing by.

On the upper level, the scene is equally captivating. Fishermen diligently cast their lines into the Golden Horn, their optimism and camaraderie filling the air. Whether the fish bite or not, these fishermen always look content. It’s one of our favourite spots in the city, as there’s always a sense of anticipation and possibility on the Galata Bridge.

For me, the bridge is one of the places that best capture the essence of Istanbul’s dynamic spirit.

Bask in Karaköy’s Cafe Culture

As we leave the Galata Bridge behind, we venture into a vibrant area of Karaköy that truly embodies the spirit of the neighbourhood. The narrow pedestrian lanes behind the Karaköy pier leading up to Galataport are brimming with trendy cafes, bars, restaurants, and boutique hotels . This is the heart of what makes Karaköy one of Istanbul’s hippest spots.

It’s best to wander around until you find a spot that resonates with the colour of your aura 😂 . Once you’ve found your spot, you can relax and nurture a drink or two of your choice. A stroll down Ali Paşa Değirmeni Sokak or Mumhane Caddesi will, no doubt, be fruitful when searching for a drink.

We loved the beautiful Karabatak coffee shop with its curbside seating.

Options Until Dinner

Depending on your pace, you might have some time to spare before dinner. Here are a few options to keep you entertained until dinner time.

• If you’re savvy like us and staying in Karaköy, you can pop back to your accommodation for a while and take a rest. Or you could go back to Atalay at Persona Carpet to talk about that kilim you saw at his place in the morning.
• Visiting Istanbul Modern is a must if you want to delve deeper into Karaköy’s artistic side. Located in Galataport, this stunning museum is a haven for contemporary art enthusiasts. Inside, you’ll find a diverse collection showcasing the best contemporary art from Turkey and beyond. The museum embraces various mediums and styles, ensuring there’s something to captivate every visitor. Make sure to check out the Photography Gallery, which is particularly impressive. Hours for Istanbul Modern are as follows: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.  The museum is closed on Mondays . Entrance fee: TRY 300.
• Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı is a historical Turkish bath dating from the 16th century. The hamam features stunning Ottoman architecture and design with domed ceilings, marble interiors, and intricate tilework. Unlike your typical neighbourhood bathhouse, Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı offers a truly luxurious experience. Pamper yourself in the authentic opulence of the Ottoman era as you indulge in a rejuvenating bath. Hours for ladies: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (last reservation at 2:15 pm). Men: 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm (last reservation at 10:00 pm)

Dinner at Yelkenci

We made a reservation at Yelkenci earlier in the day and suggest you do the same. It’s on the Karakoy waterfront, roughly halfway between Super Mario and the Galata Bridge, so quickly stop there and let them know you’re coming back later. Ask for a window table on the top floor.

This waterfront restaurant overlooks the Golden Horn with magnificent views of the Galata Bridge. It is an excellent place if you’re looking to have a special meal in Karaköy.

When the weather is nice, they slide the windows wide open, and the top floor almost becomes a terrace. Sadly it was raining on our visit, but it was still gorgeous and cosy even with the windows closed.

The menu features fantastic seafood and mezze options, which is why we came here. We ordered a mezze platter, calamari and grilled mackerel. Of course, no mezze meal is complete without raki, so we indulged in a few shots of Turkish firewater.

While the fish and calamari were great, the mezze was FANTASTIC. They do have halva, baklava and fruit on the dessert menu, but save this for your final stop – the best dessert shop in Karaköy.

The beautiful setting, incredible food and friendly service all came together in one of the best dinners we’ve had in Istanbul.

Dessert at Güllüoğlu Baklava

A 10-minute after-dinner stroll is just what you need to help the raki move the digestion along. 

The final stop of our self-guided walking tour of Karaköy is the neighbourhood’s most beloved dessert shop. And for the perfect sweet finale, we saved the best for last!

Güllüoğlu Baklava is set up like a cafeteria, so you can load your tray, pay and find your own table. The place is always busy, but luckily, it’s pretty big, with seating spread over two floors.

On display, you’ll find the usual suspects: an array of baklava options, including the classic pistachio and walnut varieties, sultani, kadayif, borek and Turkish delight. They also offer unique specialities such as hazelnut baklava, chocolate baklava, gluten-free options, and even baklava burgers.

We got a few traditional pistachio baklavas that I got hooked on in Gaziantep last year and a few Soğuk Baklavas .

Soğuk Baklava is a cold baklava dessert we haven’t had before, and it turned out to be friggin awesome. This twist on the traditional baklava is less sweet, has a bit of pistachio and chocolate and is drenched in cold milk. This slightly soggy baklava is divine – you must give it a try!

And, here with your sticky fingers, is where our day in Karaköy ends. We were pretty exhausted by the end of the day. If you’re an Energizer bunny and want to keep going, head back to Ali Paşa Değirmeni Sokak or Mumhane Caddesi for some nightlife.

Also, see our 4-day Istanbul itinerary for more things to see and do on your trip.

Karaköy Self-Guided Walking Tour Map

So there you have it. The ultimate self-guided walking tour of Karaköy. Now go out to stroll, eat, and fall in love with Karaköy, one step at a time! ✌️

Thank you for such an informative post! Could you please advise of your shopping approach for rugs at Persona? Do you haggle here like you I’ve read you do in the bazaars? Thank you!

Hi Julie Carpet shopping at Persona was by far the most relaxed shopping experience in Istanbul for us. There really is no hard sell, and we felt comfortable with the asking price. We did asked to round the price down so the price only had zeros, so there was a bit of friendly haggling, but not like in the bazaars where the initial price is over 3x what you’re supposed to pay. Our advice is to set a budget and try to stick to it.

Thank you very much – I appreciate the insight of what to expect. I do not want to overpay but I also did not want to offend by offering too low of a price.

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