Istanbul

Galata Tower

One of Beyoğlu’s most distinctive landmarks, Galata Tower is one of the city’s defining vantage points, offering a different perspective over Istanbul. With a history dating back to the Genoese period, its stone structure commands panoramic views stretching from the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus to the Historic Peninsula and the Asian side. The narrow streets, historic apartment buildings, galleries and design shops surrounding the tower extend the visit into the living urban fabric of Galata.

Sumahan on the Water – Çengelköy

Set within a former industrial building directly on the Bosphorus in Çengelköy, Sumahan on the Water is one of Istanbul’s most distinctive boutique hotels. Blending contemporary architecture with the historic character of the building, the hotel offers a more intimate and local experience of Istanbul than the city’s larger luxury properties, with a small number of rooms, a garden overlooking the Bosphorus and a quietly understated atmosphere.

The Peninsula Istanbul – Karaköy

Spread across four historic and contemporary buildings along the Bosphorus at Galataport, The Peninsula Istanbul is one of the most prominent expressions of Istanbul’s new-generation luxury. Spacious terraces, a pool overlooking the Bosphorus, a strong gastronomic programme and a spa that brings the tradition of the Turkish hammam into a contemporary wellness setting have quickly established it as one of the city’s most sought-after hotels.

Aliée Istanbul – Tersane İstanbul

Created through the transformation of historic shipyard buildings on the Golden Horn, Aliée Istanbul is one of the city’s most talked-about new luxury hotels. Bringing Ottoman-era stone structures together with contemporary design, the hotel introduces a new style of stay to Istanbul’s evolving waterfront, with courtyard architecture, rooms overlooking the Golden Horn and an extensive wellness centre.

Mikla – Beyoğlu

Located on the upper floors of The Marmara Pera, Mikla is one of the established names of Istanbul’s contemporary gastronomic scene. Chef Mehmet Gürs’ “New Anatolian Cuisine” approach interprets Anatolian ingredients and traditional recipes through modern techniques. Holding one Michelin star, the restaurant has long been one of Istanbul’s leading fine-dining destinations, complemented by panoramic views across the city.

TURK Fatih Tutak – Bomonti

Led by chef Fatih Tutak, TURK Fatih Tutak brings together ingredients from different regions of Türkiye and the country’s culinary memory in a contemporary tasting menu. Traditional flavours are approached through highly personal and technically assured interpretations, while the restaurant’s two Michelin stars place it among the most prominent representatives of Istanbul on the international gastronomic stage.

Araf – Kadıköy

Run by chefs Kenan Çetinkaya and Pınar Korgan Çetinkaya, Araf is one of Istanbul’s emerging culinary addresses, built around a small, characterful kitchen centred on open-fire cooking. Seasonal ingredients, offal and vegetables are treated with restrained yet expressive flavours, and in 2026 the restaurant received its first Michelin star, marking one of the year’s most notable rises on the city’s dining scene.

Nişantaşı

Spreading across Abdi İpekçi, Teşvikiye and the surrounding streets, Nişantaşı is Istanbul’s luxury shopping district. International fashion and jewellery houses including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier and Hermès sit alongside established names in local luxury such as Beymen and Vakko. Boutiques by Turkish designers around Mim Kemal Öke and Teşvikiye, together with galleries and restaurants, turn a shopping trip into a broader urban experience.

Paket Postanesi – Galataport

Historic Paket Postanesi in Karaköy is a distinctive address for discovering fashion, jewellery and design brands from Istanbul under one roof. Inside the restored building, a selection ranging from boutiques by local designers to accessories and lifestyle brands forms part of Galataport’s contemporary shopping route along the Bosphorus. For those looking beyond major international labels and towards Istanbul’s current design scene, it offers a more individual alternative.

Istanbul Film Festival

Held each spring, the Istanbul Film Festival is one of Türkiye’s longest-established international film events. Its programme brings together highlights from festivals around the world, new films from Turkish cinema and independent filmmakers, extending across cinemas throughout the city with retrospectives, special screenings and meetings with directors.

Contemporary Istanbul

Held each autumn, Contemporary Istanbul is one of the most significant gatherings on Türkiye’s international contemporary art scene. Bringing together local and international galleries, artists, collectors and art professionals at Tersane Istanbul, the fair extends beyond its exhibitions with special projects, talks and public art initiatives, making it one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar.

Bosphorus Cup

Held every September, the Bosphorus Cup transforms the Bosphorus into an international sailing stage. With boats competing from different countries, the Bosphorus leg creates a unique viewing arena connecting the city’s two shores. Bringing competitive sailing together with Istanbul’s skyline and maritime culture, the event is one of the city’s most distinctive sporting occasions.

Atatürk Cultural Centre

Located on Taksim Square, Atatürk Cultural Centre is one of the defining landmarks of Istanbul’s modern architectural and cultural history. Redesigned by Murat Tabanlıoğlu, the complex brings together an opera house defined by its large red sphere, theatre and exhibition spaces, a library and a range of public areas. With its transparent façade opening onto the square, AKM is one of the strongest contemporary buildings along Beyoğlu’s cultural axis.

Haydarpaşa Garı

Rising on the Kadıköy waterfront as one of Istanbul’s historic gateways to Anatolia, Haydarpaşa Station is among the city’s most distinctive buildings. Designed by Otto Ritter and Helmuth Cuno, the structure is a striking example of early 20th-century Istanbul architecture, with its stone façade, towers and monumental position directly beside the sea. Its silhouette at the entrance to the Bosphorus makes Haydarpaşa more than a landmark in the history of transport; it is also an enduring part of the city’s collective memory.

Topside Bar – The Peninsula Istanbul

Set on the rooftop of The Peninsula Istanbul, Topside Bar combines views across the Bosphorus with a refined cocktail programme. Its interiors, inspired by vintage yachts, accompany signature cocktails drawing on different geographies along the Maritime Silk Road, with the bar particularly appealing around sunset. With DJ performances, panoramic views and considered design, it is one of the notable addresses in Istanbul’s new-generation luxury nightlife scene.

Long Bar – Raffles Istanbul

Located within Raffles Istanbul, Long Bar brings together cocktail culture, live music and the atmosphere of a classic hotel bar. Signature cocktails reinterpret local flavours through international techniques, accompanied by regular live music performances. For a livelier yet polished evening, it is among Istanbul’s notable luxury hotel bars.

Fahri Konsolos – Moda

Fahri Konsolos in Moda is one of Istanbul’s most distinctive cocktail addresses. Turkish ingredients such as sumac, pomegranate molasses, boza and local herbs are reinterpreted through contemporary mixology techniques, while the seasonally changing menu and intimate scale give the bar its character. It offers one of the city’s more individual ways to explore local Turkish flavours through cocktail culture.