Istanbul’s Young Face: Beşiktaş

Istanbul’s Young Face: Beşiktaş

As one of the most popular spots for the youth in Istanbul with its back-alleys and dynamic social life, Beşiktaş also allows you to enter an unknown modern world through its historical structures. When you enter this world through a special and daring scenery created by the Marmara Sea’s coast to Beşiktaş, you can better understand why Istanbul is one of the most beautiful spots the world has to offer.

Beşiktaş greets its visitors with an incredible tempo. No matter what time it is, you can witness the rush of modern life in every spot of Beşiktaş. Even waiting at traffic lights to cross the street on Beşiktaş square can be a joyful experience. As you sip your tea in coffeeshops overlooking the square, you will witness how life flies by in its most realistic form. People running to catch a ferry, rushing to make it to work or just walking to enjoy a coffee must go through this square. At this spot, you will feel the concern and rush of Istanbulites to catch up with life. 

The magic of Beşiktaş is created by melting today’s rush with the past’s naiveness and calmness in the same cauldron. You will find yourself in another world and another time with the sight of a historical structure as you walk at full speed in today’s scenery. However, it won’t be long before you come back; in two steps, you will be back in the rush of the metropolis. As you keep walking in the heart of Beşiktaş, the market will increase the liveliness of the square. Walking idly among others on these alleys with small shops and coffeeshops and skimming through stores provides an unearthly joy. Sipping a drink on a small table will quickly relieve the tiredness of the day. 

You must surely explore the coast in Beşiktaş, which is one of the oldest settlements in Istanbul. The Naval Museum, the Palace Collections Museum, and the Tomb of Hayreddin Barbarossa are all located on the coastal band. Your mind will be stripped away from the crowd and find itself surrounded with the Ottoman heroism. If you continue to walk towards Kabataş, you will witness the magnificance of Dolmabahçe Palace. The grand doors aiming the sky right beside the Marmara Sea tell you the story of a spectacular past. 

After exploring the center of Beşiktaş, you can walk the path to Ortaköy, a road Istanbulites will never stop walking on. Historical structures, including Kabataş Erkek Lisesi (Kabataş High School) and Çırağan Palace, will accompany those who walk on this magical road covered by trees. You may count yourself lucky if there is a light breeze to walk with. You can also visit Yıldız Park & Grove on your way. You will witness an unexpected calmness and nature in this forestland that starts at the edge of the Marmara Sea and continues all the way to northwest. 

As you pass through Ortaköy under the Bosphorus bridge, you will explore a totally different side of Beşiktaş. With its colorful cultural structure, Kuruçeşme is the first place that comes to the minds of Istanbulites when speaking about entertainment. If you are not one to dance, we are confident that you will still find a small coffeeshop that fits your needs. You can have a rest in Kuruçeşme Park and drift away from the concrete texture of Istanbul. If you wish to walk a little further, you can visit Bebek to watch the Bosphorus and the bridge from a different angle. Taking a walk on Bebek seaside, which hosted many films and TV series, is also a unique experience. Bebek seaside is a spot in Istanbul that is never empty. You can witness the lives lived in homes placed right beside the sea. Arnavutköy is located at the edge of Bebek. Even though the district of Beşiktaş ends there, the seaside still follows the land as far as the eye can see.