Besiktas District

The basics

Besiktas is a relatively upscale district, marked by contrasts: From modern skyscrapers to centuries-old palaces, you’ll find it all, with mercifully few tourists as an added bonus. The best way to explore the area is by wandering around on foot, although anyone who prefers to visit alongside a guide can opt for a tour of Dolmabahce Palace or nearby Besiktas Stadium. Save time for bar or café-hopping, or venture out after sunset to enjoy the area’s buzzy nightlife.

Things to know before you go

• Need to get your bearings, or rest your legs after a busy morning of sightseeing? Head over to Yildiz Park for a breath of fresh air—it’s a tranquil green space located on a hilltop, perfect for an open-air picnic.
• Dress conservatively if you plan to visit any neighborhood mosques. For women, it’s always advisable to pack a shawl as a cover-up.
• The area is quite hilly, so wear sensible footwear. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to navigate for anyone with mobility limitations, including visitors using wheelchairs.
• Be sure to stop by the Besiktas Fish Market: Whether or not you plan on picking up a fresh catch, it’s a great spot to soak up the neighborhood’s lively ambiance and take photographs (but always ask permission first.)

How to get there

From Sultanahmet, where many historical attractions and hotels are located, hop on the T1 Tram and get off at Kabatas. From there, you can transfer to bus 58UL—it takes about 45 minutes, or a 30-minute taxi ride. You can board a scenic ferry from Eminonu, which departs hourly and takes about 15 minutes.

When to get there

There’s no real wrong time to visit Besiktas, it just depends on what you’re looking for. Summer brings peak travel months and the largest influx of tourists—not to mention sweltering daytime temperatures—but that’s also when the area is at its liveliest, even if many residents of Istanbul decamp to summer homes. Winter is quiet, with clouds and rain making for dramatic scenery along the waterfront.

Inside the resplendent Dolmabahce Palace

Famed for its opulent facade, this riverside Dolmabahce Palace—built in the 19th century— is no less magnificent inside. Visitors can see the luxury that Ottoman sultans once enjoyed: crystal chandeliers, ornate fireplaces, halls lined with mirrors, golden fixtures, and oil paintings, the tiled women’s quarters, and even the bedroom once used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.