Discover Istanbul’s 200 best spots for a Friend Groups' trip

Beyoğlu

Dive into Beyoğlu, the beating cultural heart of Istanbul. Stroll İstiklal Avenue, duck into historic passages and side-street meyhanes, and stay as the district shifts into its lively nightlife.

Kadıköy

Cross the Bosphorus by ferry and step into Kadıköy, the Asian side's beating heart. Graze through the covered market, browse record shops and bookstores, then settle into a bar on one of its lively side streets.

Karaköy

Wander Karaköy, the Golden Horn's reinvented harbour quarter. Browse galleries and design shops along sloping lanes, pause for specialty coffee, and end at the waterfront for views of the old city skyline.

TURK FATIH TUTAK

★ 4.7 · 1,190 reviews

Discover TURK Fatih Tutak, a fine-dining evening that starts with a restaurant pick-up and unfolds over roughly three hours. Settle into the tasting experience in a refined, design-minded room built for special occasions.

Nişantaşı

Stroll Nişantaşı, Istanbul's elegant fashion district. Browse designer boutiques and galleries along shaded avenues, then rest at a patisserie among the well-dressed locals.

Cihangir

Wander Cihangir, the bohemian hillside neighbourhood above the Bosphorus. Browse antique shops on steep lanes, claim a café table among local regulars, and take in the view from the terrace.

Moda

Stroll Moda, Kadıköy's relaxed seaside quarter. Wander tree-lined streets to the clifftop park, then watch the sun drop over the Marmara with a glass of tea in hand.

Ulus 29

★ 4.2 · 2,207 reviews

Discover Ulus 29, the hilltop restaurant, terrace bar and nightclub that gives Istanbul's evenings a view. Linger over dinner with sweeping city views, then move to the terrace or the dance floor as the night picks up.

FLEKK

★ 4.8 · 1,368 reviews

Discover FLEKK, a dark and effortlessly stylish cocktail bar in Istanbul. Sip fresh, inventive drinks prepared by a skilled bar team in a cozy yet chic setting built for evenings out.

Yeni Lokanta

★ 4.8 · 2,752 reviews

Discover Yeni Lokanta, the Michelin-rated restaurant a short walk from Taksim Square. Pick the fish or meat route and work through a carefully plated multi-course menu of modern Turkish cooking.

Sultanahmet

Step into Sultanahmet, where Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul meet. Walk between the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the ancient Hippodrome, then wander cobbled lanes to a tea garden for a break.

Nardis Jazz Club

★ 4.5 · 1,825 reviews

Discover Nardis Jazz Club, a cosy old-school jazz room beside the Galata Tower. Grab a table, order a cocktail, and listen to tight live sets from local and visiting musicians.

Solera Winery

★ 4.8 · 858 reviews

Discover Solera Winery, a favourite wine spot in Istanbul for exploring Turkish wines. Taste your way through several glasses with sommelier guidance and enjoy good food in a relaxed, music-filled room.

Asmalı Cavit

★ 4.6 · 1,157 reviews

Discover Asmalı Cavit, the old-school meyhane where locals eat and the staff guide you through the small plates. Share stuffed vine leaves, fava beans and roast peppers in a warm, lively dining room.

360 Istanbul

★ 4.0 · 6,242 reviews

Discover 360 Istanbul, a penthouse restaurant above Istiklal Street where dinner, drinks and views share one table. Order modern Turkish meze, linger over the skyline, and stay late as weekend DJs take over the room.

Oligark İstanbul

★ 4.0 · 2,249 reviews

Discover Oligark İstanbul, a restaurant and lounge right on the Bosphorus. Watch the sun set over the water, linger over dinner, and stay on as the evening music picks up.

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

★ 4.8 · 135,257 reviews

Enter Hagia Sophia, the monumental domed landmark at the heart of Istanbul's old city. Spend an hour beneath its great dome, taking in marble, gold and the building's layered past.

The Blue Mosque

★ 4.7 · 122,896 reviews

Enter the Blue Mosque, Istanbul's iconic six-minaret landmark in Sultanahmet. Walk through the vast prayer hall, take in its tile-covered interior and the sweep of domes above.

Sunset Grill & Bar

★ 4.1 · 4,625 reviews

Discover Sunset Grill & Bar, a glamorous hilltop restaurant with sweeping views of the bridge. Order Mediterranean plates or sushi and linger from golden hour into a late-night cocktail.

The Townhouse

★ 4.7 · 3,785 reviews

Discover The Townhouse, a buzzing restaurant and bar with a stylish patio in the heart of Istanbul. Settle in for elevated pub food and well-made cocktails, from an afternoon Negroni to a long dinner.

GALLADA by Fatih Tutak

★ 4.4 · 604 reviews

Dine in an elegant setting at a Fatih Tutak restaurant. Reserve an evening table and enjoy the occasion.

Balat

Lose yourself in Balat, the Golden Horn's colour-washed hillside quarter. Wander steep cobbled lanes past painted houses, browse vintage shops, and settle into a café tucked among the old synagogues and churches.

Geyik

★ 4.3 · 858 reviews

Discover Geyik, a Cihangir bar with a relaxed vibe and stylish decor. Order from a well-regarded cocktail list made by informed staff while good music keeps the evening flowing.

Babylon

★ 4.5 · 1,214 reviews

Discover Babylon, a former brewery turned into a chic live music venue in Istanbul. Catch a national or international act in the 550-capacity hall, then mingle with a lively crowd over drinks.

Ortaköy

Wander Ortaköy, where a baroque mosque meets the Bosphorus right beneath the bridge. Grab a loaded kumpir from a street stall, browse the crafts market, and linger on the waterfront as the light fades.

Taksim Square

★ 4.5 · 58,622 reviews

Step into Taksim Square, the energetic centre of modern Istanbul. See the Republic Monument and the mosque, then follow the red tram line down Istiklal Street.

Beşiktaş

Explore Beşiktaş, a busy Bosphorus district where ferry piers meet a neighbourhood market. Browse the stalls, eat where locals eat, and stroll the waterfront toward Dolmabahçe Palace.

Grand Bazaar

★ 4.4 · 189,097 reviews

Lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul's vast covered market of winding indoor streets. Haggle for leather, jewellery, ceramics and gifts while soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world's oldest markets.

Bebek

Linger in Bebek, a stylish Bosphorus neighbourhood built around its seaside promenade. Stroll the waterfront, grab coffee or a pastry from a shoreline café, and watch ferries glide along the strait.

Foxy Nişantaşı

★ 4.1 · 627 reviews

Discover Foxy Nişantaşı, a contemporary bistro and wine bar in Istanbul's fashionable Nişantaşı district. Pair modern Turkish dishes, from Trabzon butter to hummus, with wine or a well-made margarita.