Karaköy, a Walk Next to the Goldern Horn

Karaköy, is to me the gateway to the older part of Istanbul….Sultanahmet and Eminönü. Breathing in the fresh sea air from the Goldern Horn while walking from Karaköy across the Galata Bridge. This time I decided to walk along the Goldern Horn to see more of Karaköy, a once thriving port.

Here hardware stores rub shoulders with galleries and some of the best restaurants in Istanbul. Nearby is the Istanbul Modern Art Gallery. It is also a sad story, as beautiful traditional buildings are slowly being replaced by huge modern hotels in a fight to see which hotel can get the closest to the water.

Facts about Karaköy:

Istanbul's red light district is situated in Karaköy
Huge luxury cruise ships sailing to Mediterranean ports such as Athens, Debrovnik, Rome and Venice dock at the Karaköy port.
“Kara” means black and “köy” means village.
The underground funicular, called Tünel, transfer people from its lower end in Karaköy upwards to Istiklal Avenue in Beyoglu.
Ferry boats run every 10 to 20 minutes from the ferry terminal to Haydarpasa train terminal and Kadiköy across the Asian shore of Bosphorus.

Take the ferry from Karaköy to the Asian side

Next to the Goldern Horn you walk past fishermen and fish stalls. Great place to pick up fresh fish for dinner.

I love the people from Istanbul and when meeting a local, like the gentleman above, I feel like I need to sit down and chat with him over a cup of Çay. He had this beautiful warm smile and sparkling eyes.

Father and son selling fresh Orange and Pomegranate juice.

Places to visit in Karaköy:

Lokanta Maya – A popular bistro run by a very talented women chef.

Address: Kemankes Caddesi No.35/A, Karaköy www.lokantamaya.com

Karaköy Lokantasi - This bustling bistro serves tasty and well priced food for lunch and is open for dinner too.

Address: Kemankes Caddesi, Karaköy www.karakoylokantasi.com

Karaköy Güllüoglu - A master of baklava from the Güllüoglu family in Gaziantep opened the first baklava shop in Istanbul. This is the home of Baklava!

Adress: Mumhane Street no 171, Karaköy www.karakoygulluoglu.com

Galata Simitçisi - Here they actually make Simit ready for distribution to Simit vendors in the vicinity and other bakeries. You can see how they make Simit and buy one fresh from the oven.

Adress: Mumhane Caddesi No 47, Karaköy www.galatasimitcisi.com

Istanbul Modern - Works of prominent artists are exhibited, showcasing Turkey’s modern and contemporary art from its beginnings to now.

Adress: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman Isletmeleri Sahasi Antrepo No 4, Karaköy www.istanbulmodern.org

Kiliç Ali Pasa Hamam - After seven years of intensive restoration this Hamam provides you with an experience to remember within its amazing historical atmosphere.

Adress: Kemankes Mah. Hamam Sok. No 1 ,Tophane Karakoy www.kilicalipasahamami.com

Istanbul 74 - This art space acts as a creative cross-platform for exhibiting the contemporary works of both local as well as international artists.

Adress: Kemankes Caddesi, Galata Sarap Iskelesi Sokak, Süha Fazli Han No.8 D.3 Karaköy www.istanbul74.com