Historical Background

Beşiktaş was a minor quarter outside the city wall during Byzantine authority described as a little town with a small population. This area became the ideal spot for boat mooring during the time of the Ottoman Empire. In this neighbourhood, most of the people constructed their homes while the rich built their palaces.

In the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire was marked by the establishment of the Dolmabahce Palace, the administrative heart of Besiktas. The region flourished and became one of the most important sections of the city.

Things to Do in Besiktas

There are many distinctive spots in Besiktas to discover and relish taking a break from the humdrum routine from dawn to dusk. Let’s have a look!

Besiktas Square

Besiktas Square, one of the best things to do in Besiktas, has numerous cafés, restaurants, stores and vibrant Istanbul life. It is quite pleasant to spend time on the square encircled by restaurants and cafés with a view of the Bosphorus and to see the beautiful view of the Bosphorus from the shores of Besiktas. Next to the sea, Besikta Square is housed in the renowned Naval Museum and the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha Tomb.

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Dolmabahçe Palace Museum

Dolmabahçe is the largest palace in the country, consisting of about three hundred rooms. It served the Late Ottoman Empire as the primary administrative headquarters and is well-known for its neoclassical outside and spectacular interior, richly embellished in glass and gold. The will to build an Ottoman-European palace integrating baroque, rococo and new-classical components with Ottoman traditional architecture may be recognised. Reserve a guided tour in this unique synthesis and focus on the distinctive collection of oil paintings.

Yildiz Park

Yildiz Grove, one of the best things to do in Besiktas, has several lovely swamps, waterfalls, and ponds, as well as intriguing parks and trees, one of Istanbul’s most beautiful parks. Some of the trees are almost 400 years old. It’s one of Istanbul’s nicest parks. You can feel extremely serene with a nice day out at the park, strolling through the gardens, relaxing at the cafes and restaurants.

Naval Museum

The largest collection of naval antiques in Turkey is presented by Deniz Müzesi, founded over a hundred years ago. It has recently been rebuilt and allows you to see the imposing imperial sultan caiques, exhibitions on naval wars, historical guns, navigating devices, ship models and documents relating to it. Naval Museum undoubtedly is one of the best things to do in Besiktas.

Yıldız Palace

Palace is an edifices complex, which includes the State Apartments, the Šale Pavilion, Çadır Pavilion, the Yıldız Theatre, the Opera House, the Yıldız Museum Palace and the Imperial Porcelain Factory. The complex includes state apartments and the buildings. Also famous among the citizens of Istanbul is the Yıldız Palace Gardens. Through palace grounds, the Yıldız Palace is connected by a bridge with Çırağan Palace on the Bosphorus. The residence of the Sultan was at the βale kiosk or pavilion.

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Tomb of Barbarossa

The famous sailor Hayreddin Barbarossa did not only make his home in his lifetime but after death. Take a peek at the historic monument next to the four sarcophagi of his tomb. The tomb of Hayreddin Barbarossa represents the final rest of the fleet’s Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, which won the Ottoman Mediterranean by sea in the middle of the 16th century.

Historic Besiktas Pier

Among the other best things to do in Besiktas, Historic Besiktas Pier is also a worth-visiting place. With its architectural structure, the old Besiktas Ferry Pier is worth viewing. On the front façade of the pier are elegant and highly stunning tiles made by architect Ali Talat Bey (1869-1922). The jetty is available for public ferries in Uskudar and Kadikoy.

The Museum of Painting & Sculpture

You can find a route to the adjacent Painting Museum after a visit to the Dolmabahçe palace; your entrance is included in the price of your ticket. Watch the stunning collection of paintings and sculptures and unwind in the peaceful café overlooking the sea for a drink or a snack.

Istiklal Street and Taksim Square

Starting at the Republic Monument (erected to mark the Republic’s founding in 1923) and ending at cobblestoned Galip Dede Street, you can walk down commercial Istiklal Street and observe the innovative Taksim Tram traversing its length. The modern art museum SALT Beyolu is a terrific spot to get away from the bustle and immerse yourself in an exhibition.

Every Wednesday, free film screenings are held on the ground floor, while the top floor holds the lovely winter garden, an oasis of peace in the centre of the city. Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, the best neighborhoods in Istanbul to stay, are bustling all year, with high-end shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and nightclubs.

Besiktas

Besiktas, one of historic Istanbul neighborhoods neighborhoods, is home to three leading universities, and the students who visit the area give it a relaxed feel. It’s the perfect area to meet up with friends, with coffee shops playing carefully selected music, hundreds of pubs serving inexpensive beer on tap, and a wide variety of food alternatives.

This region is also the home of the Besiktas Football Club, and it is a popular gathering spot on match days, when marching bands and fans waving flags and singing fill the streets. Try a fish sandwich from the local market or a plate of chicken and rice from one of the pilavci (rice vendors) scattered across the square.

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Galata

Galata, which is part of the greater Beyolu district, is best known for its tower, which overlooks the neighborhood’s cobblestoned streets and neoclassical structures. The streets surrounding Galata Tower are lined with small, intriguing stores and cafes, making for excellent browsing. Visit the Mevlevi Museum – the Whirling Dervish Hall – and the Museum of Turkish Jews after savouring the city views. Stop by the Home Spa shop on Galip Dede Street for bath and body goods, including locally sourced soaps and oils, to take home. Boutiques, galleries, and gift shops along Serdar-i Ekrem Street. For the tourists, Galata is one of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul to stay.

Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet Old City, formerly the social and political heart of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, is one of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul to live. This area takes you through Istanbul’s rich history, and some of the city’s most beautiful architecture is within walking distance of the main square. With its towering dome, colourful marble columns, Islamic art, and gleaming Christian mosaics, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia dominates the skyline. The Ottoman-era Topkapi Palace, the 15th-century Sultans’ home turned into a museum in 1924; The Blue Mosque, known for its tiles and minarets, and the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul’s largest remaining Byzantine cistern.

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Karaköy

Karaköy, once a vital city harbor and one of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul to live, was allowed to decline until it became a hotspot about 2012. Churches and synagogues integrate perfectly into the newer areas of the city, creating a maze-like street system that offers a glimpse of the city’s heritage. The SALT Galata building, which was once the Ottoman Bank headquarters and is now a well-established art venue, was once home to the financial area in the 19th century. Take a stroll down Mumhane Street to see Pi and the Mixer Art Gallery.