Counties of Istanbul

Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents

and Istanbul is one of the most developed and important cities in the world, its geographical position connecting two continents, with the magnificent Bosphorus, the History, the cultural diversity, the daily hustle and bustle, the nightlife and the legendary beauty that sustains a great civilization.

During the founding of the republic Turkey with migration from the countryside to the cities, the ever-growing population of the mega-city has undergone major changes and its modern regions have evolved.

If you go to Istanbul travel, almost every district is worth seeing. The historic Fatih district, the must-see Besiktas district, the magnificent Kadikoy, the authentic Uskudar, Sariyer and beyoglu full of points of interest & sights. There are many places you can visit in Istanbul.

In Istanbul, the cultural capital of the Turkey, there are a total of 39 counties / districts.

1. Besiktas (Besiktas): Beşiktaş district is one of the historical and tourist districts of Istanbul and is located on the European side of the city. Beşiktaş borders with Sarıyer, Şişli, and Kağıthane districts Beyoglu and lies on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara. Besiktas has Historic Buildings, Tourist attractions, streets, entertainment venues, restaurants and cafes, as well as eye-catching streets from the Ottoman Time and is one of the must-see areas in Istanbul.
2. Basaksehir (Basaksehir): Başakşehir, one of Istanbul's rising assets in recent years, is located on the European side and borders the districts Arnavutkoy, Sultangazi, Esenler, Bagcılar, Avcılar and Küçükçekmece. Başakşehir is one of the largest areas of the city, one of the densely populated areas with increasingly modern buildings and commercial centers.
3. Kartal: Kartal, located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara, opposite the Princes Islands, is one of the favorite resorts of Istanbul residents and borders with Pendik, Maltepe, Sultanbeyli and Sancaktepe districts. In Kartal, the population has gradually increased with the increase of buildings, shopping malls and commercial centers, there are also natural beauties such as Aydos Hill and Aydos Forest.
4. Beylikdüzü: Beylikdüzü is one of the best examples of Istanbul's planned urbanization and is located on the European side of the city. The area is located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara and borders with Avcılar, Esenyurt and Büyükçekmece districts. Although the Beylikdüzü district is far from the city center and the population is increasing with the completion of luxury locations and modern shopping malls in recent years, it is easily accessible by the Söğütlüçeşme-Beylikdüzü Metrobus line.
5. Kadikoy (Kadikoy): When it comes to Istanbul, the first thing that comes to mind is Kadıköy, which is located on the Anatolian side of the city and borders the districts of Üsküdar, Ataşehir and Maltepe. Located on the coast of the Marmara Sea, Kadikoy is also home to many of the city's important historical buildings and attractions. There are many different places to explore such as Haydarpaşa Railway Station, Süreyya Opera House, Den Beach by Fashion, Yoghurtçu Park, Moda Pier, Fisherman's Market, Bar Street, Meyhaneler Street, Bahariye Street, Antikacılar Street, Artist Street.
6. Flat: Esenyurt is on the European side and borders with Avcılar, Başakşehir, Büyükçekmece and Beylikdüzü districts. The population of Esenyurt district has increased with the increase in Immigration to Istanbul in recent years, and it is an area characterized by irregular settlements.
7. Umraniye: Ümraniye is one of the most densely populated areas of Istanbul and is located on the Anatolian side of the city, bordering the districts of Ataşehir, Çekmeköy, Beykoz and Üsküdar. Explore the tourist places like Dudullu Hill, Trabzon Park, Meydan Shopping Mall and Ümraniye Bazaar.
8. Arnavutkoy: Arnavutköy is located on the European side of Istanbul, bordering the districts of Eyüp, Başakşehir, Esenyurt, Büyükçekmece and Çatalca. Arnavutköy is a city on the Black Sea coast and is one of the areas where the population has been increasing in recent years. The area is one of the most beautiful on the Bosphorus; it has fishermen, historic buildings, Churches and narrow streets and is one of the city's must-see attractions.
9. Kucukcekmece (Küçükçekmece): Küçükçekmece is located on the European side of Istanbul and borders with the districts of Avcılar, Başakşehir, Bağcılar, and Bahçelievler Bakirkoy. Küçükçekmece District is located on the coast of Marmara Sea and is one of the areas with ever increasing population. Some of the city attractions like Yarımburgaz Cave, Mehmet Arsay Classic Car Museums and Küçükçekmece Lake are also located in Küçükçekmece district.
10. Uskudar: Üskudar is one of the oldest settlements in Istanbul and is located on the Anatolian side of the city. Üskudar is located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara and borders on the districts of Kadıköy, Ümraniye, Ataşehir and Beykoz. Üskudar is a historical district and one of the must-visit places in Istanbul. If you come to Uskdar, you can explore the main attractions of the city, such as the Maiden Tower, Fethipaşa Grove, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Şemsi Paşa Mosque, Eski-valide Mosque, Selimiye Barracks, Camlica Hill, Çinili Mosque and Aziz Mahmut Hüdayi Efendi grave.
11. Cekmekoy: Cekmekoy is located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul and borders the districts Sile, Beykoz, Umraniye and Sancaktepe. Despite being a forest-dominated area, Çekmeköy has developed into an area with increasing population after the 2000s.
12. Silivri: Silivri is one of the largest areas of Istanbul, away from the city center and a quiet settlement. Silivri District, one of the summer settlements and daily vacation routes for Istanbul residents, borders with Çatalca and Büyükçekmece districts and lies on the Tekirdağ provincial border. In the town of Silivri, about 70 kilometers from the city center, there are also some tourist attractions such as Silivri Castle, Gümüşyaka Beach, Masal Village, Selimpaşa Port, Sinekli Lake, Silivri Kavaklı Picnic Area.
13. Atasehir (Ataşehir): Ataşehir is one of the most modern and planned districts of Istanbul. Consisting of east and west parts, Ataşehir has luxury shopping malls, entertainment venues, restaurants and cafes, and is a very popular district among young people.
14. Malta: Maltepe, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, faces the Sea of ​​Marmara and borders with Kartal, Ataşehir, Sancaktepe and Kadıköy districts. The district of Maltepe is located about 15 kilometers from the city center and is one of the oldest settlements in the city. Maltepe area is seafront, summer houses are usually located here and its beaches are also the preferred place for swimming. Today it is one of the must-see areas, and among the historical sites such as the Temple of Maidens, Remzi Pasha Building, Fenerli Building, Beşçeşmeler Place and Başıbüyük Süreyya Paşa Mosque and its seafront.
15. Bahcelievler (Bahcelievler): Bahçelievler district is located on the European side of Istanbul, bordering Bakırköy and Zeytinburnu districts on the city seafront. Bahçelievler is close to the city center and has become the preferred residential area after the Metrobus line between Kadıköy and Beylikdüzü started operating.
16. Fatih: Fatih is one of the central districts of Istanbul. Fatih is located on the European side of the city, bordering the districts of Beyoglu, Eyup and Zeytinburnu and lying on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara. Many historical and tourist attractions are located in the city, like the Sultanahmet Square, Zincirli Han, Topkapi Palace, Bharat Beach, Bharat Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Kariye Museum, Fethiye Mosque, Aya Yorgi Patriarchate Church in Fatih district. Eminonu Old City: Fatih is part of the old city of Istanbul and is surrounded by the Theodosian Wall. Eminonu used to be a separate district but was merged with Fatih district in 2008.
17. Bakirkoy (Bakirkoy): Bakırköy is an ancient settlement in Istanbul on the coast of Marmara Sea, which was a summer house in the past. It is now a populous Bakırköy district with modern architecture and appearance, and borders with Zeytinburnu, Bahçelievler and Küçükçekmece districts. Bakırköy has historical and touristic attractions and is one of the places you must visit when you come to Istanbul.
18. Sultanbeyli: Located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Sultanbeyli is one of the unplanned urbanization areas of the city. The area borders Pendik, Sancaktepe and Kartal districts and has a large population. Coming to Sultanbeli, you can visit tourist attractions such as Mount Aydos, Aydos Castle, Pond Park and Aydos Recreation Area.
19. Gaziosmanpasa (Gaziosmanpasa): Gaziosmanpaşa, one of the districts on the European side of Istanbul, borders with Eyüp, Sultangazi, Bayrampaşa and Esenler districts. Gaziosmanpaşa, about 12 kilometers from the city center, is also one of the densely populated areas.
20. Zeytinburnu: Zeytinburnu, one of the ancient settlements of Istanbul, is located on the European side of the city. The district is located on the Sea of ​​Marmara and borders with Fatih, Bayrampaşa, Güngören, Bahçelievler and Bakırköy districts. In the Zeytinburnu district, about 10 kilometers from the city center, you can also explore tourist attractions such as the Panorama 1453 History Museum, the Topkapi Cultural Park and the Garden of Medicinal Plants.
21. Sile (Sile): Şile is one of the first cities in the history of the republic and one of the largest areas of Istanbul. district Şile; it borders on the districts of Çekmeköy, Pendik and Beykoz. Located on the Black Sea coast, Şile is the most popular tourist route near Istanbul. Şile is a popular holiday resort with summer houses, located an average of 66 kilometers from the city center. When you come to Şile you can choose between being in contact with nature or swimming in the cool waters of the Black Sea; You can also visit tourist attractions such as Şile Lighthouse, Şile Castle, Vine Rock, Kumbaba Hill, Agva, Saklı Lake, Değirmçayırı Waterfall and historic Şile Houses.
22. Bagcilar (Bağcılar): Bağcılar is an area where unplanned urbanization continues in the city on the European side of Istanbul. Bağcılar, about 15 kilometers from the city center, borders on the districts of Güngören, Esenler, Bahçelievler, Başakşehir and Küçükçekmece.
23. Sariyer (Sariyer): Located on the European side of Istanbul, Sarıyer is one of the most elite and decent areas in the city. Sariyer is located on the Black Sea coast, bordering the districts of Eyüp, Şişli and Beşiktaş and about 25 kilometers from the city center. In Saleye, Istanbul's beautiful area and its mansions, the city also has some popular tourist attractions like Telli Baba Tomb, Tarabya Pavilion, Huber Mansion, Sait Halim Pasha Mansion, Neslişah Sultan Mosque, the Rumeli Fortress, the Belgrade Forest.
24. Pendik: Pendik, located on the Anatolian side, lies on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara and borders with the districts of Kartal, Şile, Tuzla and Sultanbeli. The Pendik district, about 24 km from the city center, is also the area where the Sabiha Gokcen Airport located.
25. Avcilar (Avcılar): Avcılar is located on the European side of Istanbul, on the Sea of ​​Marmara and the city coast. It borders with Küçükçekmece, Başakşehir, Esenyurt and Beylikdüzü districts. Although it is far from the city center, the opening of the Metrobus line between Kadıköy and Beylikdüzü makes transportation to Avcılar easier.
26. Kagithane (Kagithane): Kağıthane is one of the ever-growing assets of the city and after recent modernization efforts, it has become an area where unplanned urbanization is gradually decreasing. Kagithane district on the European side borders with Beşiktaş, Şişli, Eyüp and Beyoğlu districts. Some of the city's tourist attractions such as Hasbahçe Recreation Area and Sadabad Mosque are also located in Kağıthane.
27. Tuzla: Tuzla, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, is one of the ever-growing assets of the city with a marina and modern buildings. Tuzla, about 33 kilometers from the city center, lies on the Marmara Sea coast and on the border of Kocaeli Province. After the opening of the Kadıköy-Tavşantepe metro line, Tuzla, where transportation has become more convenient, has become an area with an increase in population in recent years. Coming to Tuzla, you can also explore tourist attractions like Viaport Pier, Viasea Theme Park, Waterfall Education Park, HoloZoo Noah's Ark, Monastery Bay.
28. Beyoglu (Beyoglu): Beyoglu is one of the historical districts of Istanbul and is located on the European side of the city on the Sea of ​​Marmara. Beyoğlu District, adjacent to Şişli, Beşiktaş, Kağıthane, Eyüp and Fatih districts, is one of the must-see districts of the city with its history and tourist attractions.
29. Prince Islands (Prens Adaları, mostly only Islands): For locals in cities near Istanbul, the Princes' Islands are considered one of the preferred addresses for holiday itineraries near Istanbul. On the island, an archipelago of nine islands, you can visit Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinaliada. An average of 30-60 minutes by ferry from Istanbul, you can easily reach the islands of the Sea of ​​Marmara. The residents of Istanbul who want to swim, daily Vacation and want to go on cultural excursions love these islands in particular.
30. Eyupsultan (Eyup): Eyup is one of the historical districts of Istanbul, located on the European side of the city. Bordering Arnavutköy, Sarıyer, Şişli, Kağıthane, Fatih, Sultangazi and Gaziosmanpaşa districts, Eyüp is also one of the largest districts in the city. Eyup is located on the Black Sea coast, about 4 kilometers from the city center. The city's tourist attractions are also located here, such as Pierre Loti, Eyup Sultan Tomb, Eyup Sultan Mosque, Golden Horn, Santral Istanbul, Ayvat Bendi, Göktürk Pond, etc.
31. Esenler: Esenler is located on the European side of Istanbul, bordering Bayrampaşa, Gaziosmanpaşa, Sultangazi, Başakşehir and Zeytinburnu districts. The Eisenle district is located about 15 kilometers from the city center and is a settlement area with a history that goes back to the Ottoman era.
32. Catalca (Catalca): Located on the European side of Istanbul, Catalca is the largest area of ​​the city. Although not the preferred area to live due to its distance from the city centre, after the completion of the Istanbul Airport developed into one of the most popular residential areas in the city. It is one of the daily vacation destinations of Istanbulites, with parks, forests, breakfast spots, natural landscapes and beaches.
33. Sisli (Şişli): Şişli is an ancient settlement in Istanbul, located on the European side of the city. Şişli borders the districts of Sarıyer, Eyüp, Kağıthane and Beşiktaş and is about 4 kilometers from the city center. If you come to Şişli district full of historical and tourist discoveries, you can visit Bulgarian Governor's Palace, St. Dimitri Greek Church, Şişli Ataturk Museum, St. Esprit Cathedral, Bomonti Brewery, Military Museum, Den Explore Istanbul Broadcasting House and Teşvikiye Mosque.
34. Beykoz: Bekoz is a district of Istanbul and also a district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. It is located on the Asian side of Istanbul on the Bosphorus and Black Sea. The Ottoman Summer Palace Küçük Su Kasrı or Küçüksu Palace right on the Bosphorus is the birthplace of Prince Sabahadin. The beautiful and luxurious Ottoman palace is built entirely of white marble.
35. Gungoren: The district/municipality is bounded by Bahçelievler to the south, Bağcılar to the north, Esenler to the northeast and Zeytinburnu to the southeast. Güngören is the smallest district of Istanbul Province.
36. Buyukcekmece: Büyükçekmece is a district of Istanbul on the European side of the city.
37. Bayrampaşa: Bayrampaşa is located west of the center of Istanbul metropolitan area. It borders on the south with the town of Zeytinburnu, on the east with Eyüpsultan and Gaziosmanpaşa, and on the west with Esenler.
38. Sancaktepe: The district was bordered by Maltepe, Ataşehir and Ümraniye districts/districts to the west (clockwise) in 2008, Çekmeköy to the north and Pendik to the east. In the southeast with Sultanbeyli and in the south with Kartal.
39. sultangazi: The district/municipality is bordered by Başakşehir to the north-west, Esenler to the south-west and Gaziosmanpaşa to the south. Eyüpsultan district is a neighbor from north to east.

Questions and answers about the city of Istanbul