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Istanbul's New City is a modern district north of Taksim Square. Its neighbourhoods of Elmadağ, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş and Şişli were built up in the early 20th century, then more recently appeared the business district between Mecidiyeköy and Levent-Maslak. While in the 2020s steel-and-glass skyscrapers are everywhere in Istanbul perhaps except a few deeply historic zones, this is the only area where they form a distinctive skyline rather than a jumble of irregularly spaced high-rises shooting up into the air with much lower buildings inbetween. The district's main thoroughfare is Cumhuriyet Caddesi between Taksim Square and Mecidiyeköy (passing through or near Nişantaşı and Şişli) and its extension Büyükdere Caddesi, which runs through Levent and Maslak and eventually reaches Sarıyer on the Bosphorus bank to the north.

Get in

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Map
Map of Istanbul/New City

  • The quickest way to reach the New City is by Metro line M2 which runs beneath Cumhuriyet Caddesi from Taksim to Maslak, with stations every couple of kilometres.
  • Metro line M11 runs from Istanbul airport to Gayrettepe passing through the district with a stop at Kagıthane.
  • Buses from other parts of the city run to Mecidiyeköy. The Metrobüs, a bus rapid transit system plying along its own lane between the western suburbs and the Asian Side also passes through the district, calling at Mecidiyeköy and Zincirlikuyu stations (close to those metro stations).
  • Dolmuşes ply between Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı.

See

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  • 1 Atatürk Museum Atatürk Museum (Q3701681) on Wikidata Atatürk Museum, Şişli on Wikipedia
  • 2 Military Museum Istanbul Military Museum (Q12808583) on Wikidata Istanbul Military Museum on Wikipedia
  • 3 Nişantaşı Nişantaşı (Q251601) on Wikidata Nişantaşı on Wikipedia
  • 4 Radio Building Istanbul Radio House (Q6024559) on Wikidata
  • 5 Maçka ParkBeşiktaş and Taksim Square as well as nice views of the Bosphorus (access to the northern station from Maçka Cd and Eytam Cd, every 5 minutes 08:00-20:00, 1.50 TL pp one-way). There is also a wooden bridge over the bisecting avenue if you prefer to take a stroll through the park. Free. Maçka Park (Q6098591) on Wikidata Maçka Park on Wikipedia

Architecture

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Levent at night

Probably no one in their right mind would visit Istanbul for the sole purpose of viewing high-rises, but if for some reason you need a change from the ancient to 19th-century architecture that dominates the most visited parts of the city, jump on the metro for Istanbul's skyscraper district clustered around Levent and Maslak. The heavy focus of the AKP government on construction projects means the building heights increasingly go upwards: as of 2022, the tallest in this area is 2019-built Skyland Istanbul at 284 m, in Seyrantepe west of Maslak (although the tallest building in Istanbul and all of Turkey, 301-m Metropol Istanbul, is in Ataşehir, a smaller business district on the Asian Side of the city), and many others are among the tallest anywhere between Moscow and Dubai, or even in the entirety of Europe. Much of the area is criss-crossed by motorways and motorway-like avenues so may not be very suitable for walking tours, and the most appreciable skyline views are from some distance away, e.g., across the Bosphorus.

On the other hand, the earlier developed southern sections of the district around Harbiye, Elmadağ, Osmanbey, Nişantaşı, Kurtuluş, and Şişli feature large numbers of neo-classical and Art Nouveau buildings from the turn of the 20th century, in a great contrast to the business district in the north.

Do

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  • Attend the Tataula Carnival (Baklahorani). Shrove Monday every year. Despite a 1943 ban on this Greek Orthodox pre-Lent carnival by the Turkish authorities, it has been revived since 2010. The tradition began in the 19th century or earlier, and even though the event was led by local Greeks, the celebrations were open to everyone. It's also a nice opportunity to look into Turkey's multicultural past. Takes place in the Kurtuluş (previously named Tataula) neighborhood.

Buy

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This part of the city is characterized by having a modern shopping mall every few kilometers along the metro line. Here is a list of them:

  • City's Nişantaşı, about a 10-minute walk (250 m) from Osmanbey Metro statıon.
  • 1 Cevahir Istanbul Cevahir (Q1057835) on Wikidata Istanbul Cevahir on Wikipedia
  • 2 Profilo Profilo Shopping Center (Q7248287) on Wikidata Profilo Shopping Center on Wikipedia
Skyline of Levent, the main business district of the city, as seen from the Asian Side across the Bosphorus

Additıonally, Nişantaşı, downhill from Osmanbey metro station, is quite literally full of upscale boutique shopping options (e.g.: Gucci, Prada, Armani).

Bazaars

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  • 5 Beşiktaş Market. Saturdays. This is where locals go shopping. If you are keen to buy fruits, vegetables, walnuts or olives at local prices, this is where you should head. It is always a good idea to bring rome walnuts (30 TL/kg) or olives (16-40 TL/kg) back home. Otherwise it is just nice to visit and soak in the atmosphere. This is an authentic market not to be missed.

Eat

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Budget

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Mid-range

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  • Sultana's Dinner and 1001 Nights Show. In Elmadag, near Taksim, has traditional Turkish cuisine (meze, kebabs, desserts) with a show every evening of belly dancing, Turkish folklore and live music.
  • Set Kebap at Nispetiye Cad. No:13 in Levent. Has a wonderful meze table and delicious Adana Kebab. The staff speaks very little English but are most anxious to be helpful.
  • Kosebasi Kebap. This Zagat-rated kebab joint serves traditional Turkish kebabs in modern/ upscale atmosphere. Levent is the main branch but they have 7 more locations (including 3 express versions) in Istanbul.
  • Sosa. At Akmerkez Mall, Etiler. tel - +90 212 282 01 51. Fairly priced salads and wraps among others.
  • 1 Kristal Ocakbaşı, Eşref Efendi Sokak 14 (At the southern entrance to Osmanbey Metro), +90 2122243969. Classic Turkish steak-house.

Splurge

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Drink

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  • Reassürans Pasajı in Nişantaşı houses many bars and cafés and is a good place for bar hopping on a Saturday night.
  • Taps. A bar, restaurant and brewery in one. The crowd is the general Nişantaşı crowd, it also attracts a lot of expatriates.

Adult entertainment

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  • The city's most reputable strip club, or gentleman's club, is Regina Revue, in Elmadag, near Taksim. It's not a sleazy place and has been running for nearly 30 years. Rather than a standard strip club with just a pole on the stage, Regina has many different decors and performances to music, with the girls acting out different scenarios on stage.

Sleep

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At its south end this district shades into Taksim / Galata, where there's more choice.

Budget

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Mid-range

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  • Istanbul Suites, Ergenekon Mh, Harbiye Çayırı Sk 111, Şişli, +90 212 224 53 10. Ranging from duplex to studio apartments which are all furnished with modern appliances. It's located in the city center and is within a 5 minute walking distance to Taksim. Possibility for short and long term rentals. B&B doubles from €50.
  • Gallery Residence Hotel, Vali Konağı Cd, Süleyman Nazik Sk 10, Nişantaşı, +90 212 291-77-10, fax: +90 212 224-40-13, . Suites with fully equipped kitchens, DVD players, and fax machines. Free wi-fi, breakfast, sauna, jacuzzi, and fitness. Doubles €80.
  • 1 Jazz Hotel, Bahtiyar Sk 1, Nişantaşı, +90 212 296-30-02, fax: +90 212 296-30-09, . 3-star jazz-themed hotel with 12 rooms named after famous jazz artists. Free wi-fi and breakfast. B&B doubles from €70.
  • 2 Arts Hotel (south of Osmanbey station), +90 212 225 91 00. Check-out: 12:30. Modern and elegant hotel. B&B doubles from €90.

Splurge

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  • 3 Grand Hyatt Istanbul (formerly Hyatt Regency), Taşkışla Cd, Taksim (near Taksim Square), +90 212 368 1234, fax: +90 212 368 1000, . 5-star with 360 rooms and suites overlooking the city and the Bosphorus. Hotel has formal dining, outdoor pool, Turkish bath, fitness center and business center. B&B doubles from €170.
  • 4 Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus (Q4806513) on Wikidata Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus on Wikipedia
  • 5 Park Hyatt Istanbul - Maçka Palas, Teşvikiye, Bronz Sk 4, Şişli, +90 212 315 1234, fax: +90 212 315 1235, . 5-star hotel in the residential and shopping district of Nisantasi. Rooms combine Art Deco style and historic Turkish decor with modern amenities: wireless internet access, DVD player and iPod docking station. The hotel is also home to a spa, swimming pool and restaurants. B&B doubles from €230.
  • 6 Ritz-Carlton, Süzer Plaza, Askerocağı Cd 15, Elmadağ, +90 212 334 44 44, fax: +90 212 334 44 55. Standing tall near the Bosphorus, this 5-star hotel overlooks the Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace. B&B doubles from €220.
This district travel guide to New City is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.