French Street / Beyoğlu
At the heart of İstanbul is İstiklal Street. This wide pedestrian avenue is surrounded by tiny lanes and backstreets, one of which is the famous French Street. Also known as Cezayir (Algeria) Street, this narrow, sloping lane with wide steps is tucked behind the elegant Galatasaray High School. Lined with cafes and restaurants, French Street is shaded by an awning of colorful umbrellas.
Vodina Street / Balat
The neighborhood of Balat, in the Fatih district, is a picturesque locale known in the past as a center for Jewish, Greek, and Armenian communities. With its narrow streets, colorful buildings, boutiques, antique stores and cafes, Balat has become a popular destination. Vodina (Tahtel Minare Caddesi) is one of Balat’s longest and liveliest streets; an excellent starting point for exploring this vibrant neighborhood next to the Bosphorus.
Karakolhane Street / Yeldeğirmeni
We now move on to Kadıköy, the darling of İstanbul’s Anatolian side. The district of Kadıköy is diverse and often quite beautiful but the Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood stands out. In particular, Karakolhane Street in Yeldeğirmeni is a popular destination, featuring concept cafes and views of historical structures. The street is just a few minutes’ walk from the Bosphorus and the Kadıköy ferry terminal!
Şair Nedim Caddesi (Poet Nedim Road) / Akaretler
Our next district is Beşiktaş and the Akaretler neighborhood, with some of İstanbul’s most stylish cafes and restaurants. Here – on Şair Nedim Road, the most beautiful spot in the neighborhood – are wall-to-wall cafes and art galleries. Şair Nedim is just a short stroll from Beşiktaş’s Bosphorus shore and its lively ferry terminal.
Perihan Abla Street / Kuzguncuk
The architectural texture of İstanbul, as described in history books and old novels, comes wonderfully to life in the Kuzguncuk neighborhood. Set along the Bosphorus, between Üsküdar and Beylerbeyi, Kuzguncuk is home to Perihan Abla Street, which has served as the location for numerous films and TV series, including the eponymous “Perihan Abla”. Paved with cobblestones, lined with wooden houses featuring bay windows, and shaded by lush trees, Perihan Abla is easily one of the city’s most beautiful streets.
İshakağa Street / Beykoz
Wandering along the Anatolian side of İstanbul, we set out for Beykoz and İshakağa Street. Beykoz, once used for summer homes, has a history dating from the Ottoman period and İshakağa Street is one of the area’s most serene. The sloping road has historical mansions, leafy trees and beautiful views of the Bosphorus! To see the most beautiful streets in İstanbul, just check out İstanbul flight tickets and discover the unique experiences to be had in this fairy-tale city!
Soğukçeşme Street / Sultanahmet
The streets of İstanbul can be quiet or busy, scenic or stark – but they almost always present traces of a living history. One such example is Soğukçeşme Street, in Sultanahmet. Taking its name from its lovely marble fountain, Soğukçeşme is a sloping, cobblestoned street nestled between Topkapı Palace and the Hagia Sophia and lined with charming historical wooden houses. Take a stroll along this quiet lane and don’t forget to get a picture in front of the fountain!
Akarsu Yokuşu Street / Cihangir
Indeed, Beyoğlu is a rich and interesting district, well worth visiting neighborhood by neighborhood, and street by street. There’s always something new to see! And Cihangir, one of the district’s most charming neighborhoods, has more to recommend it than merely the Firuzağa Kahvesi, the painted Cihangir Merdivenler (Staircase) and its various coffee shops and cafes. Among Cihangir’s many attractive assets is Akarsu Yokuşu, a central, wide street featuring a lively blend of graceful apartment buildings, hip cafes, old-school shops, boutique hotels and even a little-known museum.
Serdar-ı Ekrem Street / Galata
Home to the iconic Galata Tower and the curvy Camondo Stairs, the Galata neighborhood also draws visitors to its labyrinthine streets and stately apartment buildings. One of these streets is Serdar-ı Ekrem, a narrow, winding road featuring the Doğan Apartment, an elegant U-shaped structure built in 1895 that has starred as a location in numerous films. While the Doğan anchors the street, Serdar-ı Ekrem also hosts galleries, boutiques and cafes.
To see the most beautiful streets in İstanbul, just check out İstanbul flight tickets and discover the unique experiences to be had in this fairy-tale city!
