The best location in Istanbul to see the unique mosaic of this multicultural capital; certainly the Kraków neighborhood in the northern part of the Galata Bridge in the prestigious Beyoglu area, which has become one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Istanbul after all the old and abandoned blacksmith workshops have been restored Where it is transformed into unique cafes, restaurants and shops.
This site deserves a full day visit as it offers many different experiences and takes its visitors on a time trip from the past and historical landmarks and goes through the chronological sequence through its interesting features until it reaches the modern and distinctive features.
So, let’s explore what we can do in our visit to one of Istanbul‘s finest neighborhoods and alleys
9:00 am They are graced in the most famous cafes in Karakwe
Open your day at the Karapatik Cafe to savor this refreshing neighborhood with the delicious Austrian coffee served by this café. Located inside an old building that has been renovated to become a large cafe divided into special sections such as the quiet section, the special section for groups and the ordinary section, and you can also eat some simple and delicious food at very reasonable prices.
Karapatik Cafe, Kara Ali Kaptan Sokak Street 7
Average price: 2 euros – 10 euros
Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 22:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 am to 22:30 pm
10:00 am See contemporary art at Istanbul‘s finest museum
Inside a large and amazing building that served as a shipyard on the banks of water overlooking Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, the modern Istanbul Modern Museum is located. Since its opening in 2004, this museum has gained international fame thanks to the valuable works displayed in it, which include works by contemporary artists and Turkish artists. The museum contains many sections, all of which present the latest cry with regard to contemporary and international art. So, we recommend visiting this museum and spending some time exploring its exciting art exhibits.
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Meclis-i Mebusan Cad (4)
Ticket price: EUR 6.5
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00, Thursday: 10:00 – 20:00, Monday: Closed
12:00 noon Lunch at the restaurant combines three wonderful kitchens
Although there are many restaurants serving delicious lunches in Karakwe, we chose the Unter restaurant to do the job, offering its customers diverse and tasty food options. The Unter’s menu includes Turkish cuisine, providing you with a taste of local cuisine that also includes delicious meals from the wonderful Italian cuisine and also meals from American cuisine to international meal lovers such as hamburgers and others. So you can order varied meals if you are a group to taste from all the kitchens.
Unter Restaurant, Karaali Kaptan Sokak 4
Main meals starting at 10 euros
Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday from 11:00 am to midnight 00:00, Friday 11:00 am – 14:00 pm, Saturday 09:00 AM – 14:00 PM, Sunday 09:00 AM – 20:00 evening
14:00 PM Explore treasures hidden in narrow streets
After an enjoyable lunch, it’s time to stroll through the narrow streets of Karakwe and explore its historical and cultural treasures hidden in its alleys. Located behind Kemankeş Caddesi, these alleys include the numerous shopping possibilities in jewelery, accessories, contemporary fashion designers and other authentic souvenir shops. After the end of your magical tour of these alleys, you will head to a unique museum, the “Istanbul 74”, which is considered by the most important international artists and designers such as Zaha Hadid architecture an important artistic pearl in the world of art and design.
Museum Address: Galata Sarap Iskelesi Sokak
Ticket price: relates to the existing exhibition
Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 18:30 PM, Saturday 13:00 PM – 18:30 PM
16:00 pm Visit the underground mosque
Yes, it is a fact; Karakoy has one of Istanbul’s most famous religious monuments, the Yeralti Camii, a Turkish underground mosque that stretches over a large underground area and is accessed from Kemankes Cad. It is believed that inside this mosque is the tomb of the Companions Amr ibn al-Aas and Sufian bin Ayaneh and Wahab clan who participated in the siege of Istanbul in 714. Go to the Yeralti Mosque and enjoy the history.
Yeralti Mosque, Kemankes Cad
Visiting hours: Daily from 10:00 until 18:00
17:00 pm Coffee break and baklava
After spending a good part of the day on a magical trip in Karakwe, it’s time for a short break to refresh your spirit and body and continue your tour after recovering some energy. There is no better way to spend an afternoon break than to have a cup of tea and the sweetness of the wonderful baklava. The best place to eat baklava and oriental sweets is the famous Karakwe Gulluğlu restaurant, which is the best Eastern sweets shop in Istanbul, located in the Karakoy district near the Galata Bridge.
Karakoy Gulloğlu, Kemankes Cad
Average price: related to quantity
Hours: Sunday – Saturday from 07:00 until 22:00
18:00 pm Istanbul from the bird scene in the Galata Tower
Watching the city you visit from Al-Ula is a mandatory activity for every tourist, because the view one sees from the top can not be seen when you take it in the streets. Therefore, we recommend that you head to Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most beautiful landmarks, located west of the Karakoy district and offering a 360-degree panorama overlooking the charming city of Istanbul. Visiting this site during sunset is a charming experience of beauty.
Galata Tower, Galata Kulesi Meydani Square
Ticket price: 6 Euros
Opening hours: The terrace is open daily from 9:00 am to 19:00 pm (in the summer)
20:00 pm Dinner at Galata Colisei Square
The Galata Tower is surrounded by many excellent restaurants and cafés, but only some of them are the best. We have chosen you to finish your charming journey in the beautiful neighborhood of Karakoy with a special dinner at the Kiva restaurant, which features its festive atmosphere and offers a spectacular view of the great Galata Tower. The most delicious cuisine of the Anatolian cuisine is served. In addition, you can buy oil and olives when you finish the meal.
Kiva Restaurant, Galata Coliseum No. 4
Average price: Moderate
Hours: Daily from 09:00 to 23:30
Click here to visit the restaurant’s website
After a busy day like this we are sure that your next stop after enjoying the Galata Tower area will be the comfortable bed in the hotel! But if you have some energy and tricks yet, do not forget that you are close to the extreme end of Independence Street! You can walk in the opposite direction of the usual tourists from the farthest street of Independence, even Taksim Square. This is how you finish a special day and night in Istanbul! Good trip, God willing!