Arnavutkoy belongs to Besiktas district in Istanbul. It is located between Ortaköy on one side and Bebek on the other. I’ve got so many questions on Instagram about this area that I decided to write a blog post about Arnavutkoy – one of Istanbul’s most beautiful neighbourhoods.
Not many tourists will come to this area and the reason for that is that the locals are keeping it a secret more or less since it’s one of the most peaceful neighbourhoods in Istanbul. The most beautiful old wooden houses have sea views. In Arnavutkoy you’ll find some nice fish restaurants and pretty cafes. Simply strolling by the sea is a memory that will stay in your mind for a long time. If you happen to visit Arnavutkoy, there are a few fish restaurants that you’ll spot at first sight and if you feel like eating fresh seafood just go for it.
How to get to Arnavutkoy?
Arnavutkoy area is very close to Ortaköy – less than 10 min taxi drive if it’s not a busy time of day. You can combine visiting both neighbourhoods in the same day. You can also catch a bus from Besiktas or Ortakoy. The buses that run up the coast from Taksim are 40, 40T, 42T or Kabataş 22, 22RE, 25E.
Tip: If you’re using public transport in Istanbul, you need to buy IstanbulKart. It costs 20 Turkish lira. You can then top it up with how much money you need. You can buy the card at any bigger bus, metro or ferry stop. IstanbulKart is valid for all means of transportation in Istanbul (buses, trams, metro, ferries).
Why is Arnavutkoy one of Istanbul’s most beautiful neighbourhoods?
I lived in Istanbul for two years and usually went to Arnavutkoy on weekends. It was never as crowded as the other parts of Istanbul. You feel like you came to a small fishermen’s village far from the busy streets of Istanbul. So many people told me that they didn’t expect to see an area like this in Istanbul, that Arnavutkoy looks more like a European city than a part of Istanbul and so on. Well, Istanbul is a huge city with so many different styles that in one moment you can feel like you’re in some gorgeous area in Athens and the next moment you feel like you stepped back in time when Ottoman empire was at its peak. That’s what I loved most about Istanbul, the fact that you can see so many different things in one city. It’s simply amazing!
If you ask me what to see in Arnavutkoy I’ll have to tell you that you won’t find any sights here, no museums or tourist attractions.
Arnavutkoy is one of Istanbul’s most beautiful neighbourhoods simply because it offers peace and tranquillity in a huge city.
You may ask yourself – Why would I want to visit a place just to take a stroll along the sea. Well, if you have extra time while visiting Istanbul, even if it’s extra two hours you won’t regret visiting Arnavutkoy. You’ll be immediately in love with colourful pastel houses, narrow cobblestone streets and cute coffee shops where you can take a break from all the hustle of Istanbul. These two hours or more spent in an area like Arnavutkoy will mean a lot to you.
The beautiful wooden houses alone are worth seeing. They are called Yali mansions and a lot of them have been renovated. Considering how old they are and their beautiful architecture, as well as the stunning views over Bosphorus it’s no wonder they hit the list of some of the most expensive properties in the world.
Another way to see these gorgeous wooden mansions is from a ferry that goes from Eminönü. You can take a ferry that offers Bosphorus cruise and enjoy the beautiful views of Istanbul from the boat.
Another interesting thing about these mansions is that you can’t simply make an appointment at a property agency to see the interior. Most of them that are for sale are only registered with the top property agencies. And these agencies are very picky about their clientele.
Arnavutkoy is a perfect place for taking photographs. If you’re in Istanbul and you’re looking for a photo location that isn’t very well know and crowded, Arnavutkoy is a place for you.
If you’re strolling by the Bosphorus, you can cross the street from the pier and walk up Arnavutkoy streets. Here you’ll find some cute shops with handmade things that make a perfect gift from Istanbul. There are no classical souvenirs like magnets and postcards, but something unique to have as a memory of Istanbul. From these streets you can see beautiful houses, take amazing photos and enjoy the slow living this area offers. Explore these little back streets and enjoy!
Some of the most popular bars or coffee places are ANY, Alexandra, Whisper. As for the restaurants, you can find fresh fish in any of them. Probably the first one that you’ll see and you’ll want to visit is Arnavutkoy Balikcisi. Another cute little restaurant is Hayri Balik and you’ll find it when you go up from the Bosphorus. It’s painted in yellow so you can’t miss it.
If you feel like eating Turkish food there is Bodrum Manti (chain of restaurants). Manti are small dumplings filled with minced meat and topped with garlic yogurt and a spicy tomato sauce. I loved them!
If you have more time take a taxi and go to Bebek, that is right next to Arnavutkoy. Go here if you feel like eating in a posh restaurant or simply taking another stroll by the water.
Tip: If you visit on the weekends you may find it hard to get a table at a restaurant, but if you go on a work day it should be less busy. You can always call a make a reservation upfront.
I certainly hope that I convinced you to visit Arnavutkoy – one of Istanbul’s most beautiful neighbourhoods.
If you’re coming to Istanbul for the first time check out this blog post about 10 must see sights in Istanbul.
Another blog post that you may want to read if you’re planning to visit Istanbul is Ten less touristy things to do in Istanbul.
And if you liked reading this, you may also want to read about other Istanbul neighbourhoods you must see.
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions about Istanbul feel free to contact me here or send me a message on Instagram. I’ll be happy to help!
