Ultimate Karakoy Travel Guide: 15+ Things To Do, Where To Stay, How To Get Here, and More


What happens when you take ​​an urban waterfront neighborhood, sprinkle some trendy restaurants and cafes, and top it off with just the right amount of culture and history? You get Karaköy, one of Istanbul’s most vibrant neighborhoods! 

At first glance, Karaköy feels like it’s a complete juxtaposition: on one side, you have hipster cafes serving third wave coffee, dozens of international restaurants, and trendy boutique stores hosting pop-up designer events… while on the other side of the street, there are classic Istanbul establishments selling baklava crafted from a centuries-old recipe, old churches and mosques dating back to the 13th century, and the timeless charm of classic Turkish hospitality. 

However, the more you explore Karaköy, the better you’ll understand the essence of this fun and eclectic neighborhood — which is why we’ve written this ultimate travel guide to Karaköy!

This huge blog post includes important travel tips and our personal experience, including how to get to Karakoy, the best things to do (and eat, and shop!), where to stay in Karaköy, and much more. 

We hope you enjoy Karaköy. 🙂 

Karaköy: The Basics

Where is Karakoy?

If you google, where is Karakoy? you’ll probably get a neat rectangular shape that stretches from Galata Bridge and east to Galataport. However, that’s only half of the story!

Karakoy is actually made up of a long half-moon shape south of Galata. It starts from Atatürk Bridge in the west and spans until Galataport in the east. Its north border ends at Okçu Musa Caddesi and Kemeraltı Caddesi, and its south border are the waters of the Golden Horn. 

To make it easier, we’ve created a map of Karakoy below 🙂 


How to get to Karakoy

Thanks to its strategic location (it was an important port, after all!), traveling to Karakoy is fairly easy. We’ve outlined some of the most common routes below: 

From Sultanahmet (Istanbul’s Old Town) — Traveling from Sultanahmet to Karaköy is super easy thanks to the T1 tram! This modern tram goes from the Fatih neighborhood, crosses the Galata Bridge, and ends in Beyoglu’s Kabataş district. Click here for the route map. → 

Depending on your accommodation, you’ll get on the T1 tram at either the Sultanahmet, Gülhane, Sırkecı, or Eminönü stop. Make sure that the tram is heading towards its final destination (‘Kabataş’). You can get off at either Karaköy station (if you want to visit the eastern part first) or Tophane station (if you plan to see central Karaköy). 

From Istiklal Caddesi / Galata — If you’re up for a nice stroll, it’s only a 15-minute walk from the start of Istiklal Caddesi to central Karaköy (Mumhane Street). Otherwise, you can take the Tünel, which is a funicular that also takes the title of the second oldest railway in the world! There are only two stations: the Beyoglu station at the top, and the Karaköy station at the bottom. 

From Istanbul’s Asian Side – If you’re staying in Kadıköy or Üsküdar, you can take a scenic ferry ride straight to Karaköy pier! There are plenty of daily departures (typically every 15 or 20 minutes). You can type in your departure and arrival piers on the official Şehir Hatları website to check the timetables. 

Karaköy has two piers: the Şehir Hatları (City Lines) ferries stop at this pier — This is the ferry you’ll most likely use, as Şehir Hatları is the ‘official’ ferry company of Istanbul.

There is also the Turyol Karaköy pier, which services ferries from the Turyol company. 

Other Helpful Information — There is one metro line, the M2 (green line) that has easy access to Karaköy. Get off at Şişhane station and it’s a quick downhill 10-minute walk to Karaköy (or take the Tünel, outlined above). 


A (Somewhat) Short History of Karakoy

If you asked us to describe Karaköy in a few words, it would be ports, banks, and constant transformation. If we’ve piqued your interest, keep reading and we’ll tell you about the fascinating history of Karaköy. 🙂 

While the name Karaköy literally translates to black village, the origins of its name are a bit murky, as some historians think it was instead named after the Karaite Jewish people from Crimea.  

Karaköy’s history goes back several centuries and, in fact, it’s one of the oldest districts in Istanbul (the others being the modern-day areas of Sultanahmet, Üsküdar, and Eyüp). Interestingly, Karaköy was originally a separate settlement outside of Constantinople, since it was facing the ‘center’ across the Golden Horn.

Some of the first locals in Karaköy were the Genoese, who settled here from the 12th century onwards. During the conquest of Istanbul in the 14th century, the Geonese didn’t put up a fight and surrendered to Mehmet the Conqueror when his army swept through the area. Impressed by their decision, Mehmet allowed the Genoese to be self-governing, and the area around Karaköy and Galata quickly developed to include settlements, walls, fortifications, and other Genoese structures. Some of these still survive to this day, with the most famous being the Galata Tower! 😉 

Over the centuries, the area became even more multicultural: the Jewish settled in the late 1400s after being expelled from Spain, and by the 1800s, it wasn’t uncommon to see Greeks, Arabs, Albanians, Jews, Venetians and Genoese, French and Levantines, and other nationalities live and work around Karaköy. 

Around the 1850s, the Crimean War broke out and Karaköy transformed into an important transportation and cargo hub. Originally, the lack of piers made the unloading and transportation of military equipment difficult, so the city built a pier along Karaköy’s southern coast to accommodate this. Isn’t it fascinating to observe Karaköy’s evolution from a military dock in the 19th century to one of the largest cruise terminals in the world? 🙂

In the later years of the 1800s, the border between Galata and Karaköy developed into the financial capital of the Ottoman empire — a street was even renamed to Banks Street as all of the major banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies were headquartered there. We’ll talk more about that a little later (or you can skip ahead to Check Out SALT Galata). 

Finally, as trade increased in the early 1900s, Karaköy’s port area was expanded to include passenger terminals, a customs building (you can read more under French Passage), and family-run restaurants to satisfy the hunger of newly-arrived travelers.

Karaköy’s latest development came around just a few years ago, when the area underwent a dramatic transformation in the 2000s. Many buildings were restored, trendy cafes and restaurants took advantage of the area’s renewed interest, and both local and foreign visitors came to visit. The neighboring Galataport opened in 2023 and also contributed to Karaköy’s revival, something that it has enjoyed to this day.

Now that you know the history, what do you think? Were we correct when we described Karaköy as a center for ports, banks, and urban transformation? 

What to do in Karaköy

Stroll Along the French Passage

In the 18th century, the area around Kemankeș street was where those arriving to Istanbul by sea would first set foot on dry land. So it would only be fitting that we would start our travel guide to Karaköy in a similar fashion! 

This beautiful neoclassical passage was built in 1860 and is an enduring reminder of Karaköy’s past history as a port and trading center. During those times, foreign merchants, ambassadors, and travelers would disembark from their boats and pass through gates named after their own country. This is where the French Passage got its name, as scholars think that the passage served as a type of passport control for French travelers back in those days. 😉 

The French Passage (Fransız Geçidi in Turkish) connects two of Karaköy’s most popular streets and welcomes visitors with its striking green wrought iron gates. The bottom floors of the passage are home to various cafes, restaurants, and small boutique stores, while the upper floors are offices. One of our favorite souvenir stores in Karaköy, Kagithane House Of Paper, can be found inside the French Passage. (Check out Where to Shop in Karaköy below for more info!) 

Click here to see the French Passage in Google Maps →  


Add a Little Color to Your Day

Did you know that Karaköy is home to one of three umbrella streets in Istanbul? While most people call it the Karaköy Umbrella Street, its actual name is Hoca Tahsin Sokak. 

Located in the heart of Karaköy, this street is popular among tourists, photographers, and anyone looking to instantly boost their mood. 🙂

We recommend arriving at Karaköy’s Umbrella Street early, as it’s very popular and there are usually lines of people waiting to take photos. For a cute photo op, be sure to bring your own umbrella (or purchase at one of the stores in the adjacent streets)! 

Click here for the exact coordinates of Karakoy’s Umbrella Street → 


The beautiful view from the second location (listed below) 🙂

Stroll Along the Waterfront 

As we mentioned in the introduction, Karaköy has a waterfront that stretches about 1.5 kilometers from start to finish — and every hundred meters, there’s something new and interesting! 

There are two areas we recommend. The first is Karaköy Sahil Park, which offers a delightful perspective of the Haliç Bridge to the west and a panoramic view of the Old Town across the Golden Horn. Despite being right between two of the most famous tourist districts (Sultanahmet and Beyoglu) this area is surprisingly not that crowded! 

The second area we love is the little plaza where the Galata Bridge meets Rıhtım Caddesi (click here for an approximate location) — it’s especially romantic during sunset and when it rains. Buy a simit from the local simitçi and enjoy the view from the benches. 🙂 


Take a ‘Step’ Back in Time at the Kamondo Stairs

What was originally built as a faster way to commute has, over time, become a hidden gem for tourists to discover. 🙂 

Let us explain: Back in the mid-1800s, prominent Ottoman-Italian banker Abraham Salomon Camondo was tired of taking ‘the long way’ when walking from his home to his office on Banks Street. So what does one do with such a problem? Build a staircase! 

The Camondo Stairs (also spelled as Kamondo Stairs) were completed around 1850 and connect upper Galata to Bankalar Caddesi (Banks Street). This proved to be a beneficial decision, since Mr. Camondo could cut his commute to just a few minutes, and his grandchildren, who studied at St. Georg Austrian High School (right across from Camondo’s bank) could also save time going to and from school. 

Speaking of which: the stairs’ unique design, with its elliptical curves, were rumored to be requested by Mr. Camondo so that the children wouldn’t tumble down the stairs if they fell. 

Nowadays, the Kamondo Stairs are a popular photo spot and, on sunny days, there’s usually a musician or two sitting in the central spot and playing their instrument. 

Fun fact: Mr Camondo was so influential and well-liked in the finance community that, when he died at the age of 92 in 1873, he was honored with such a grandiose state funeral that even the Turkish stock market and banks closed on that day! 

If you’re interested in learning even more about this fascinating family, you can stay at their former residence at DeCamondo Galata hotel. The in-house restaurant, Moise Karaköy Restaurant, is named after Abraham’s great-grandson, Moïse de Camondo. As a nice bonus, the views of the Bosphorous are absolutely gorgeous! 


Check Out SALT Galata & the Ottoman Bank Museum

While we’re strolling along Banks Street, let’s take a moment and delve into its fascinating history, and then go inside one of the most beautiful buildings on this street!

Banks Street (known as Bankalar Caddesi in Turkish, above left) served as the financial center of the entire Ottoman Empire, as all of the empire’s main banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies had their headquarters here — hence the very beautiful (and expensive!) buildings. 😉 

One of the most stunning buildings is located at Bankalar Caddesi 11, which was designed by famed architect Alexandre Vallauri and headquartered the Imperial Ottoman Bank between 1892 to 1999. Nowadays, it houses SALT Galata. If you’ve ever wanted to see the beautiful tiles, grandiose marble details, and intricate neoclassical design from the building’s golden age, you’re in luck – it’s open to the public!

SALT Galata is free to visit, and we highly recommend that you do so. The building hosts a library that’s open to everyone (it’s one of our favorite places to work!), auditorium, bookstore, cafe, restaurant (with a Michelin star!), extensive archives, temporary exhibits, and even a museum.

Speaking of which — if you decide to check out SALT Galata, be sure to go downstairs and visit the lesser-known Ottoman Bank Museum. It offers a fascinating look into banking during the Ottoman years and has touch-screen displays that narrate the history in an interesting manner. Don’t miss the cool open vault! 

Nowadays, Banks Street has abandoned its original purpose, as most banks’ headquarters either moved to the capital (Ankara) after Turkey became a republic in 1923 or to business districts like Levent, Maslak, Ataşehir, and so on. However, the beautiful architecture and history of the street lives on to this day.


Try Karaköy’s Most Famous Baklava 

For generations, the words Karaköy and Güllüoğlu have been practically synonymous with each other — you couldn’t travel to Karaköy without stopping to grab a box of baklava from Güllüoğlu!

Güllüoğlu opened their first baklava shop in Karaköy in 1949, but the family’s history goes back much further. The Güllüoğlu family has been making baklava since the early 1800s, when the head of the family (Güllü Çelebi) went from his native Gaziantep to Aleppo and Damascus to learn the art of baklava and improve the craft.

While most of the family kept selling baklava in Gaziantep, Mustafa Güllü (the grandson of Çelebi) moved to Istanbul to expand the business. 

Back in the 1940s, Mustafa was considered a trailblazer for a few reasons. Back in the day, baklava was only sold as a dessert in kebab shops or in bakeries (and never a stand-alone baklava store). When the store was set to open in November 1949, Mustafa Güllü handed out fliers and printed ads for his store’s opening and offered free delivery to distance places like Taksim, Nisantasi, and Sisli — which was practically unheard of back in those days! 

Over the years, the brand expanded, grew, and became famous thanks to its legendary taste — which can still be tried today. The Karaköy Güllüoğlu branch functions as a shop and a cafe, so you can try and find your favorite baklava before you buy a box to take home. 🙂

There are tons of varieties, from classic baklava to gluten-free varieties, with various toppings (i.e. walnuts) and so much more. Our favorite is the soğuk baklava (cold baklava), which uses less syrup and substitutes it with milk and cream instead. It’s absolutely delightful! 


See the Arab Mosque and Underground Mosque

How about two unique mosques in one neighborhood? You’ve come to the right place! 

Our first stop is the Arab Mosque (Arap Camii, above), which actually got its start as a Dominican church. It was built by Dominican friars in 1299 as a monastery, and a church was added 30 years later. After the fall of Constantinople, the church was transformed into a mosque and given to refugees who escaped the Spanish Inquisition of 1492 — which is how it got its name! 

The inside is absolutely gorgeous, and still retains many of its original features and designs from its Dominican era. 

Some 800 meters (2,600 ft) away is the Yeralti Camii, which literally translates to Underground Mosque. The area was originally used as part of a tower / fortification for the Fort of Galata in the 6th century, and there’s even some interesting history lore. Historicals say the original tower had a long chain attached that stretched across the entire Golden Horn and stopped foreign ships from entering the waterway. If you’re interested in seeing the original chain, it can be found at the Istanbul Naval Museum

After Istanbul was conquered, the tower was used as an arsenal and a water cistern before being converted into a mosque in the mid-1700s. The mosque is, indeed, partially underground and is said to house the tombs of two revered Islamic figures. 


Relax at a Historical 400 Year Hammam

The Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam, located between Karaköy and Tophane, is a fantastic testament to Mimar Sinan’s legendary architectural skills. The building was commissioned by Kılıç Ali Paşa (a famous Ottoman naval captain) in 1580 as a hamam for the marine forces that were stationed in the Tophane area. 

This historical bathhouse is renowned for its stunning dome and elegant interior. The main section of the hamam is crowned by a large dome, allowing natural light to seep in and create a relaxing atmosphere in the bathing area. The hamam underwent meticulous restoration in recent years and reopened in 2012. 

This is one of the best hamams in Istanbul, and is most famous for its traditional hammam ritual. You can also add a massage to your treatment, and the hamam also offers hammam treatments for children and infants! 

Click here to see availability and reserve your hammam appointment → or check out our favorite hamams in the 10+1 Best Hamams in Istanbul (From a Local) blog post


See Istanbul in a New Way at the Karaköy Ferry Pier

No, we’re not trolling you — this is actually one of the best hidden gems in Karaköy!

If you arrive or depart via the Karaköy Ferry Pier, be sure to go to the second floor and visit the İstanbul Kitapçısı (Istanbul Bookstore). Besides having an absolutely jaw-dropping view of the Old Town and the Blue Mosque, this bookstore also sells hundreds of books (in both Turkish and English), as well as unique souvenirs that you definitely won’t find in the typical souvenir stores. We especially love their Istanbul collaboration with Karaca (a famous homeware company) — look for mugs of the Basilica Cistern, cups in the form of the Taksim tram, and other beautiful items. 🙂 

Make sure you go to the correct location, though — there are two piers in Karaköy. Click here for the location on Google Maps. 


Have Some Extra Time? Here Are A Few Other things to do in Karaköy

Visit Kursunlu Han to see one of Istanbul’s oldest ‘shopping centers’ (built in the 1500s by famed architect Mimar Sinan!). Nowadays the kiosks just sell hardware and other goods, but it’s still a cool stroll. 🙂 

The Tophane-İ Amire Culture and Art Center is a must-visit for fans of history, art, and architecture. Originally used as an arsenal, the building was recently restored and is now used as an exhibition space for the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. Entry is free and there are usually some neat exhibits going on.

Zülfaris Karaköy is another exhibit hall set in a beautiful location. The building used to be a synagogue, but nowadays is an exhibition center. There are usually modern art, photography, and art exhibitions here — you can check the line-up on their Instagram. The interior design, stained glass, and ceiling mural are especially beautiful. 

Where to Eat in Karaköy

🥞 Mum’s Cafe – Get a delicious start to your Karaköy trip with this super cute breakfast spot. The menu includes European and French fare, like fluffy pancakes, French toast, eggs benedict, and more. 

🍳 Namlı Gurme — One of two legendary Karakoy establishments (the other being Güllüoğlu), Namlı is the place for Turkish breakfast in Karaköy. When going for breakfast, you get to choose what you want from the display (i.e. meat, cheese, olive, jam, bread, etc) and the server will deliver to your table. There’s also a separate section where you can buy all of the aforementioned ingredients (a perfect souvenir for your foodie friends!) 

🥯 Galata Simitçisi — Karaköy’s most famous bagel shop 🙂 This mainstaple of Karaköy has been baking simit for more than 30 years, and not only — it also offers breakfast, sweet pastries, savory treats, and more. 

🐟 Super Mario — Of course, we couldn’t forget Karaköy’s famous balik ekmek! Super Mario (so-called for his unique mustache) has been making his famous fish sandwich for more than two decades, much to the delight of locals and visitors. The secret to his delicious fish is in the sauce — but you’ll have to visit and try for yourself! 

🍛 Koali – Looking to take a break from Turkish cuisine? You’ll have to embark on a short uphill hike, but your tastebuds will thank you after you try the delicious (and budget-friendly!) food at Koali! This Indonesian restaurant is the epitome of cozy homestyle food: it feels as if you’re dining at a friend’s house, and the menu has a sizable variety of yummy soups, rice, main dishes (including their signature nasi koali), and refreshing drinks.

🥩 Karaköy Lokantası — This restaurant is a delightful juxtaposition, and we mean that in the nicest way possible. In Turkey, lokantası are canteens that serve home-style food and where the working class eat during their lunch breaks. However, Karaköy Lokantası is the opposite, as it’s an upscale Michelin-starred restaurant! Despite its upscale status, the prices are surprisingly reasonable, offering a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.

🍰 Karaköy Güllüoğlu —  Your one-stop shop for baklava and dessert in Karaköy. 🙂 If you love your friends and/or family, don’t forget to buy a delicious souvenir from here! 

☕️ Kava Coffee Karaköy — One of our favorites! Located on a quiet side street of Karaköy, Kava Coffee is the perfect place to sit down or grab a well-made cup of coffee. If you’re feeling hungry, you’re in luck — they have a bakery next door that specializes in delicious sandwiches, granola bowls, and pastries. 

☕️ Coffee Orient CO. — A cozy neighborhood cafe, Coffee Orient is the palace where you can go to chill out, take a break from your tour around Karaköy, and do some people-watching from the sidewalk terrace. The owner is an awesome guy as well! 

☕️ Books & Coffee Karaköy — Located right next to the historical Tünel station (see How to get to Karakoy above), this two-story cafe is spacious and a nice place to pop in if you want to take a quick break. 

☕️ Parsa Coffee Roasters — One of the newest cafes on the scene, Parsa Coffee Roasters is dedicated to the craft of speciality coffee. From the moment you arrive, you can easily tell: the baristas are passionate, there’s a fantastic variety, and it’s one of the few places in Istanbul that write the SCA Cupping Score on their menu. 🙂 

☕️ Other great options include Kronotrop (a popular chain of cafes that focuses on third-wave coffee and fresh beans) and FiLBooks (a cafe/bookstore with cute gifts as well). 

Where to shop in Karaköy

Typically we don’t add a shopping section, but the stores in Karakoy are too good to pass up! In fact, we usually take a day trip to Karaköy when we want to buy souvenirs or gifts for our friends and family. 🙂 

Design Market — One of our absolute favorite places! This shop has an interesting concept where they cooperate with various Turkish designers and display their products in the store. You can buy everything from clothing to home goods, jewelry, handbags, shoes, candles, gifts, and much more. 

If you’re in Istanbul for a while and want to find some super unique goods, this place is for you:  they actually switch out the inventory every couple of weeks with new designs and designers! If you’re serendipitous, you might even stumble upon a pop-up event where you can meet and chat with the designers (this happened to us the last time we visited, and we had a nice chat with the artist who created the cute hoodie we bought!) 

Kagithane House Of Paper (above photo)— Kağıthane literally means Paper House, which is exactly what this store sells! Colorful, kitschy, and unique paper products like postcards, notebooks with vintage Turkish designs, magnets, paper dolls, and much more. 

Selamlique — A beautiful store that doubles as a coffee shop. This is the place if you want to buy luxurious Turkish coffee — we usually stock up on their chocolate-flavored coffee (look for the purple label that says Çikolatalı Türk Kahvesi).  

Turkish Soap — Right in the center of Karakoy is this sweet boutique soap store, featuring more than a dozen various soaps, hamam accessories, and other bathing goodies (towels, robes, shampoo, and more). We especially love the goat milk soap. 

Mae Zae — An eclectic ‘underground’ shop with a mix of trendy and vintage clothes, home decor items, accessories, and more. 

Where to Stay in Karaköy

SuB Karakoy

SuB Karakoy  ⭐️ Design Hotel With its modern atmosphere and quirky industrial design, SuB is definitely one of the most beautiful design hotels in Karakoy! Think vintage rugs, quirky portraits of sultans, and Nespresso machines in every room. 


The Wolf Hotel – Located on one of Karakoy’s liveliest streets, The Wolf is great if you’re looking for nightlife or live music (there’s a pub downstairs). We previously stayed here and loved the comfortable beds and clean rooms. 


The Bank Hotel — If you liked our story about Bank Street, you’ll love this hotel. Set in a Neo-Renaissance building that was constructed in 1867, The Bank Hotel was a former bank (hence the name :)) and offers beautifully-appointed and luxurious rooms. The service is exceptional, and the employees go out of their way to personalize your stay (i.e. you can order an airport transfer, get complimentary dinner reservations, etc.) 


Ferman Port Hotel – Beautifully designed yet with an atmosphere of unfussy luxury. The hotel is located in one of Karaköy’s best areas — the ferry is just two streets away, while the T1 tram is just a 3-minute walk. 


Galata MGallery ⭐️ Best Views — This hotel has quite the history, as it’s set in one of four of Galata’s oldest hans and located along Banks street. The best views are from the Executive Galata King Suite, which has a spacious balcony that opens up to jaw-dropping views of the Galata Tower. Guests have complimentary access to the historic Turkish bath (hamam) and there is an on-site restaurant and rooftop bar. You can read more in our Amazing Hotels With a View of Galata blog post →


The Wings — Some of the most beautiful views can be found at The Wings. 🙂 The Junior Suite has a partial view of Galata Tower, plus nice bonuses like a jetted tub (perfect after a long day of sightseeing!) and a super comfortable extra-large bed.


Casa Rosa ⭐️ Budget-friendly Hotel — Colorful designer rooms on a budget! This is a sweet family-run hotel located in the heart of Karaköy that really takes care of their guests.  


The Peninsula Istanbul

The Peninsula ⭐️ Luxury Hotel – If you want the ultimate in luxury, then there’s no better option than The Peninsula Istanbul! The rooms are gorgeously decorated in an Old Money style, and the hotel features a pool, spa center, extensive terrace (with views of the city!), restaurant, and much more. Truly one of the best hotels in Karaköy, don’t you think?


The Halich Hotel Istanbul Karakoy — A nice choice if you want to be in Karaköy but further away from the busy streets. The hotel is family-friendly and offers large Family Rooms (up to 4 people).


Other Great Options 

One of the best hostels in Karaköy is Nomad Hostel (be sure to try their delicious sandwiches on the ground floor!). We particularly love the waterside views from the Dream Inn Hotel and the beautiful design at 10 Karakoy.

Union Karakoy has fantastic views of the Old Town while still being within walking distance to Karaköy and Galata. 

Where to go after Karaköy

Galataport — Karakoy borders Galataport, so a visit to Istanbul’s trendy cruise port is a natural transition if you want to add one more place to your Karakoy itinerary! In fact, we have an entire travel guide on Galataport, so be sure to read that blog post if you’re planning to visit. 

Istanbul Modern — The Istanbul Modern Art Museum is technically inside the Galataport complex yet many people don’t realize it, which is why we decided to add it as a stand-alone piece. The Istanbul Modern covers five floors and is filled with hundreds of modern art pieces, including sculptures, paintings, videos, and other art installations.  

Galata Tower — As one of Karaköy’s most famous neighbors, how could we not include the Galata Tower? 🙂 This tower shares a similar history with Karakoy (both were under the Genoese) and offers a spectacular view of the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Take a Leisurely Ferry Ride… Karakoy is a port, after all! There are a dozen different routes from Karaköy pier, including the colorful houses in Balat, the equally trendy and hipster neighborhood of Kadıköy, and the absolutely charming cobblestone streets of Kuzguncuk, where you can still see the old spirit of Istanbul. We’ve written a neighborhood guide for Kuzguncuk if you’d like to check it out.

Visit Istanbul’s Asian Side — Karaköy is well-connected to Istanbul’s Asian side. Click here to read our instructions on how to visit the Asian side, or read our 17+ Things To Do on the Asian Side of Istanbul (From a Local!) blog post to get inspired!

To see all ferry routes and timetables from Karaköy, click here and find ‘KARAKOY’ under departures. 

Karaköy Q & A 

What is the famous street in Karakoy?
Perhaps the most famous street in Karakoy is the Umbrella Street, or Hoca Tahsin Sokak (its official name). There are dozens of cafes and restaurants along this lively street. Other popular streets for restaurants, cafes, and nightlife include Mumhane Cadessi and kemankeș Caddesi. 

What is Karakoy known for?
Karakoy is most known for its trendy restaurants and cafes, colorful street art, and its history as a waterfront port. It’s the perfect mix of a modern urban atmosphere with classic Turkish establishments, historical buildings, and local flavor. 

Which side is Karakoy located on? 
Karaköy is located on Istanbul’s European side, in the Beyoğlu district. It’s within walking distance to Galata Tower and the famous pedestrian street, Istiklal. 

Where should I stay when visiting Karaköy?
While the neighborhood might feel small, Karaköy offers a wide variety of accommodations, from hostels, boutique hotels, mid-range accommodations, and even luxury hotels. Some popular choices include the stylish 10 Karaköy and the historic Bank Hotel, known for their excellent locations and unique charm.

What are some must-try foods in Karaköy?
Like we mentioned, you can’t travel to Karaköy without trying the delicious baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu! Other must-dos include eating fresh seafood along the waterfront, snacking on a simit (Turkish bagel) from a local street vendor, and exploring some of the cute third-wave coffee shops around Karakoy. 

Photo Credits: Old Karakoy photos via Şirket-i Hayriye and Kultur Istanbul | Kamondo Stairs via Yair Haklai | Hamam: Kili Ali Pasa Hamam  | Baklava via Thomas George | Arab Mosque via A. Savin

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Comments

2 responses to “Ultimate Karakoy Travel Guide: 15+ Things To Do, Where To Stay, How To Get Here, and More”

  1. Rachel K Avatar
    Rachel K

    I stayed in the Bank Hotel for a few nights and highly recommend it. The room was very nice, the staff is very helpful, the location is convenient. The bar on the upper floor has a great view but high prices.

    1. Kedi Avatar
      Kedi

      Hi Rachel,
      Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re sure this will be helpful for future guests. Glad to hear you had a great stay at the Bank Hotel and a nice trip. Safe travels on your next adventure! 🙂

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