12 Places Must Visit in Beyoğlu

05/12/2020

Beyoğlu district is one of the first settlements of the city, and it is located in the center of Istanbul, which has hosted various civilizations throughout the ages and where many wars have been fought. Every street in İstanbul smells of history. In this article, we mentioned the history of Beyoğlu, what things to do in Beyoğlu, and what places must visit in Beyoğlu.

Beyoğlu district, which is the real meeting point of Istanbul, is located on the European Side. Beyoğlu, which was seen as a separate settlement from Istanbul during the Byzantine period, was a region where the Genoese lived. Beyoğlu is defined as the most central district of Istanbul, which has 45 neighborhoods today. It is adjacent to important districts such as Eyüp, Kağıthane, Şişli, Beşiktaş and Fatih.

Beyoğlu, which has many places to visit, is the most active, popular and touristic district of Istanbul

There are many important institutions and places such as historical buildings, museums, entertainment venues, cinemas, important state institutions, luxury hotels, and shops within the borders of the Beyoğlu district. We can list the must-see and must-visit places in Beyoğlu when you visit Istanbul as follows:

1. Taksim Square

Taksim Square has witnessed countless meetings and historical events over the years

Taksim Square, one of the most famous spots in Istanbul, is also one of the city's most important tourist attractions. Taksim Square, which was completely closed to vehicle traffic in 2013, has become a meeting point. Numerous activities, concerts, and similar events are organized in the square, which is easily accessible from all parts of the city. Taksim Square, which is a vibrant and lively square 24 hours a day, includes many cafes, restaurants, bars, eating and drinking areas, museums, and shopping stores.

2. Istiklal Street

An average of 3 million tourists visiting daily the Istiklal Street, one of the most famous streets of Turkey

Istiklal Street in the Beyoğlu district of İstanbul is regarded as one of the most famous streets of Turkey since the late 19th century. There are many historical buildings, cafes, restaurants, and shopping stores on the 1.4 km street. Istiklal Caddesi is the most cosmopolitan street in Turkey and it is possible to see people from every religion, and every nation on this street. This street, which is visited by everyone who comes to Istanbul once, is crowded at all hours of the day. This street, where you can find products of world-famous brands and cheap products, is one of the must-see places during your visit to Istanbul.

3. Galata Tower

Galata Tower, one of the oldest towers in the world, has a panoramic view of the Historical Peninsula

Galata Tower, one of the symbolic structures of Istanbul, is one of the oldest towers in the world and was built by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 528 as a lighthouse. The tower, which passed under the rule of the Ottoman Empire with the conquest of Istanbul, was used for various purposes such as dungeons and fire towers. The tower, which was badly damaged by the fires that broke out from time to time, was repaired in 1967 and reached its present appearance. Galata Tower, which was last restored in 2020, is operated as a touristic facility and hosts thousands of visitors a day. This symbolic structure is one of the places you should definitely see when you come to Istanbul.

4. Aynalıkavak Pavilion

Aynalıkavak Pavilion, which is located in the National Palaces and has an aesthetic architecture, is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists

Aynalıkavak Pavilion is located in Kasımpaşa district of Beyoğlu. It is not known when and by whom was built the historical building, but which is visited by thousands of tourists every year. After visiting the Aynalıkavak Pavilion, which is one of the buildings worth seeing in Beyoğlu, you can have a snack in the cafe within its structure.

5. Pera Museum

Pera Museum, located in Beyoğlu, is a wonderful culture and art museum with its collections and exhibitions

Pera Museum, opened by the Suna and Kıraç Cultural Foundation in 2005, serves as a cultural center and museum. Pera Museum is housed in a historical building built in 1893 by Achille Manoussos. There are various options such as education rooms, auditoriums, exhibition halls, cafes, and art stores within the museum. Since its opening, the museum has held international exhibitions such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Scenes in Tsarist Russia, and Picasso.

6. Madame Tussauds Istanbul

Madame Tussauds Istanbul, where wax sculptures of world famous artists, athletes and scientists are exhibited, welcomes its visitors in Beyoğlu

Madame Tussauds Istanbul, a branch of the wax sculpture museum headquartered in London, is located in the Taksim district. In this museum, which is opened in the most famous cities of the world, there are wax sculptures of many local and foreign well-known names. There are many wax sculptures of the world's leading names such as players, singers, politicians, athletes, and scientists in Madame Tussauds İstanbul. This museum, which is open every day of the week, is easily accessible from all over Istanbul.

7. Istanbul Modern Art Museum

Modern and contemporary art exhibitions are held at Istanbul Modern Art Museum, which opened its doors to visitors in 2004

Istanbul Modern Art Museum is founded as the first modern and contemporary art museum of Turkey and it was opened to visitors in 2004. Modern and contemporary works of art, design, architecture, new media and cinema work, and photographs are exhibited in the museum. The museum, located on an area of 8,000 square meters on the shore of the Bosphorus, offers a versatile service with temporary and permanent exhibition halls, educational and social programs, a photo gallery, library, cinema, restaurant, and store.

8. Kamondo Stairs

The Kamondo Stairs in Galata, one of the most popular districts of Istanbul, were built in the 1850s by a wealthy businessman of the period

The Kamondo stairs, which are dazzling with their aesthetic architecture, are located in the Galata district of Beyoğlu. The stairs designed in the Art Nouveau style were built in the 1850s by a wealthy and benevolent businessman of the period. These stairs are among the places to visit during your visit to Istanbul.

9. Galatasaray Hamamı

Galatasaray Hammam, which is among the most important historical baths of Istanbul and has hosted many important people from past to present, continues to serve its visitors

Galatasaray Hamamı is one of the oldest baths and historical buildings in the Beyoğlu district. The Turkish bath, which has been used for centuries, hosted the pashas, judges, and sultans of the period. The historical bath with a magnificent architectural structure has preserved its beauty and importance from past to present. Today, Galatasaray Hamamı continues to serve its visitors.

10. Beyoğlu French Street

Thousands of people visit the Beyoglu French Street every day, attracting attention with its colorful buildings and boutique cafes

French Street is located behind Galatasaray High School, one of Beyoğlu's deep-rooted educational institutions also known as Cezayir Street. This street, where you will have the impression of wandering a French Street in Istanbul, is a place worth seeing with its colorful buildings, cafes, and stone roads.

11. Saint Antuan Church

Saint Antuan Church, which has survived various disasters and great fires over the years and has been restored, is one of the must visit places in Beyoğlu

The church located on Istiklal Street is the largest Catholic Church with the largest congregation in Istanbul. The church was built by the monks in 1230 and it was burned and renovated twice. The last time it moved to its new location in Beyoğlu after a big fire in 1696. Saint Antuan Church, which is one of the places visited by someone who goes to Istiklal Street, is a place worth seeing.

12. The Flower Passage

The Flower Passage, which has a magnificent and unique architecture, is one of the must visit places in Beyoğlu, Istanbul

The Flower Passage is located in one of the oldest buildings in Beyoğlu and it is one of the most frequented places in Istanbul. The name of the building, which was used as a flower auction in the first years of the Republic, began to be known as Flower Passage and has come to this day. The Flower Passage, which hosted the Naum Theater, where the sultans went to watch theater during the Ottoman period, is now used as a place for dining and entertainment. The Flower Passage, having managed to be one of the most popular places in Istanbul in every period, is one of the must-see places in Beyoğlu with its unique architecture and authentic atmosphere.