📍İstiklal Caddesi is Beyoğlu's main street. But do not rush from one end to the other. Explore its arcades and side streets: the historic Avrupa Pasajı, for example, was built in 1874 and is considered one of the district's oldest arcades.
📍Visit Galata Tower for panoramic views of Istanbul.
📍Galataport shows the district's modern side, with architecture, restaurants, shops and a Bosphorus waterfront promenade.
📍Do not miss Santa Maria Draperis! Right on İstiklal Caddesi is a place many tourists walk past.
Santa Maria Draperis is one of Istanbul's oldest Roman Catholic communities. The parish dates back to 1584, when the Levantine Clara Maria Draperis donated a house with a small chapel to the Franciscans.
The church endured several disasters. The original chapel burned down in 1660, followed by further destruction and a fire in 1767; the church was rebuilt again in 1769.
✨The icon of the Virgin Mary associated with the Draperis family survived these historic fires and remains to this day. It is now on the main altar.
Next comes Cihangir. 📍The neighbourhood was named after Şehzade Cihangir, son of Suleiman the Magnificent. Today it is one of the city's most atmospheric quarters, with narrow streets, old houses, coffee shops, antique shops and Istanbul's famous cats.
Our main advice when exploring Beyoğlu: take your time🐈