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Millions of TripAdvisor users voted for their favorite destinations around the world, and Istanbul took the top spot. This is surprising because the Middle Eastern city jumped 11 places from the previous year, surpassing popular destinations like London and Rome.
So why do tourists flock to Istanbul? Perhaps because Istanbul is a vibrant city, both ancient and modern. It boasts a plethora of churches and historical buildings, but also countless charming boutiques, elegant restaurants, and impressively designed hotels, favored by jazz enthusiasts, artists, and fashion-forward individuals. The city is undeniably elegant – and attracts tourists from all over the world.
Located in a former warehouse on the Bosphorus, this modern Istanbul neighborhood showcases the sharp contemporary art of Turkish artists.
This restaurant in modern Istanbul serves international cuisine in a stunningly designed setting.
Nearby, the Cihangir neighborhood is rapidly becoming one of Istanbul's most attractive areas, drawing jazz enthusiasts and Bohemian-style artists, as well as cafes, shops, and galleries.
A scene from a bustling Sunday in Cihangir, where people linger at outdoor cafes to enjoy coffee and crispy, sweet, and nutritious baklava.
Mid-range cafes catering to international tastes, like Cafe Susam, are scattered throughout the city.
There are many nice, used bookstores with a wide selection of hard-to-find English and Turkish books.
And the shops are friendly to jazz lovers.
Witt Istanbul is a charming, modern hotel with 18 stylish and spacious rooms in Cihangir.
Istiklal Caddesi is a major pedestrian street in Istanbul. Here, shops catering to tourists—Turkish goods, pottery, and other souvenirs—lie alongside trendy cafes and Western imports like Starbucks, Nike, and Burger King.
Stalls selling sesame-coated Turkish croissants are scattered throughout the city. Street food costs only about 1 Turkish Lira (50 cents).
Tünel Pasaji is a small, arched-roofed alley at the end of Istiklal Caddesi, lined with cafes, antique shops, and secondhand bookstores.
At night, this walkway is filled with young Istanbul residents sitting at cafe tables, smoking or drinking.
Café House is a local chain in Istanbul where fashionable Istanbulites gather to drink Turkish (spicy) tea and enjoy typical Turkish snacks (mezze). There is a branch in Istiklal Caddesi.
The House Hotel, along with the House café restaurants, is a chain of charming, trendy local hotels with numerous locations in Istanbul.
The 19th-century Misir building in Istiklal Caddesi is home to many beautiful art galleries, such as Galeri Nev.
On the rooftop of the building is a stylish restaurant and bar called 360. The restaurant serves meals, but the best time to enjoy it is probably at sunrise.
At the end of the day, people often flock to rooftop bars, like the one on top of the Marmara Pera hotel, to enjoy the beautiful views.
Local beers like Efes and Turkish wines are available at "low prices" during peak hours, along with Turkish snacks such as olives or spiced roasted nuts.
Endless streams of people flowed back and forth towards Istiklal Caddesi throughout the night.
There are numerous nightclubs and bars nestled among the neighborhoods surrounding Istiklal Caddesi.
At night, the area around the Galata Tower becomes a meeting place for eccentric students and young people (hippies), sitting on the base of the historic tower drinking beer, playing guitar, and drumming.
There are enthusiastic guitar groups and lively live music here almost all night long.
For a more complex nightlife scene, the Ortaköy neighborhood boasts exciting nightclubs right on the Bosphorus, such as the traditional Reina, frequented by Istanbul residents and celebrities like Istiklal Cadde and Kobe Bryant.
There are a number of interesting late-night dining spots, but one of the best for a light late-night meal is along Istiklal Caddesi, at Galata Bridge, near the Karaköy fish market, where vendors sell freshly grilled fish sandwiches on demand.
Alternatively, you can stop at any of the kebab stalls in Istiklal Caddesi, which stay open quite late.
