Karaköy Walking Tour - art galleries, street art, boutiques, cafes

Karaköy, my favorite neighborhood in Istanbul! Narrow streets filled with art galleries, cafes, boutiques, and street art on every surface. It's hip, cozy, creative, and charming.

Thinking about it brings warm feelings of nostalgia…...wonderful first dates; fangirling when I meet my favorite street artist in an elevator; where all my best earrings come from; inspiring photo walks; helping an Argentinian street artist paint a wall on a brutally cold autumn night; dancing with one of my favorite Berlin DJs at Naif; early morning coffee; afternoon cay (tea); stumbling through the streets after late-night cocktails at Mitte; watching the seagulls steal simit, ferries leaving the dock, and city lights twinkling at dusk. The list goes on and on and on.

I hope you experience some Karaköy magic when you spend the day exploring (map included at the end!).

Let's start at Aria Art Gallery, to see the fantastic panda on the outside wall by Leo Lunatic, who's mischievous pandas playfully brightening up the streets of Istanbul. When I lived there, I was obsessed with his work and thrilled when I saw this new piece.

From there, let's walk to the corner to see Tophane-i Amire Culture and Art Center. Its rich history began in the 15th century as a cannon and ammunition manufacturer for the Ottoman army. Today it hosts three exhibition halls belonging to Mimar Sinan University featuring local and international contemporary art exhibitions.

The next location on our journey is optional. Still, if it fits in with your day and budget, I highly recommend spending a couple of hours getting pampered at the elegant Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı, built in the 16th century. Lay on heated marble slabs, enjoy an exfoliating scrub and relaxing massage, then the most pleasurable bubble wash (imagine waves and waves of bubbles caressing your smooth skin), and finish off with a chilled peppermint towel and refreshing tea. In Istanbul, there is always time for tea. Do note the Hamam is open for women in the morning from 8 am-4 pm, and for men from 4:30-11:30 pm. It costs 340tl (about $50). 

Now it's time to explore Karaköy. The map below takes you through the main streets, but please wander into the alleys to discover even more street art. I will highlight my favorite spots, but every gallery, cafe, and boutique is worth having a peek.

Because we love art, let's start at Juma, the main gallery building. Here you'll find Pi Artworks Istanbul, x-ist, artSümer, SPOT projects, and Mixer. If you live in Istanbul, get on their mailing lists, and if you're traveling through look if there's an exhibition opening, you'll have a great time! Check out Sanatorium gallery across the street too.

My favorite gallery in the building is x-ist. I have fond memories of drinking wine and chatting about art with a diverse crowd at their openings. It's also the gallery that introduced me to the work of Murat Palta, who has a fresh take on traditional Ottoman style painting. He seamlessly blends tradition with whimsical modern elements to create an exceptional body of work.

How many stunning Guate Mao’s can you spot?

Let's go shopping! Follow the street art maze around the corner and through the alley, then zig-zag your way to LikeStore, a cafe and shop featuring small independent brands that you won't find anywhere else.

Next, around the corner and past more street art, you'll find Çiçek İşleri Ideastore, a delightful shopping experience filled with everything from wooden designs, pillows, art, and kitchenware.

Down the street and to your left is the Fransiz Geçidi (French Passage), a cute little street with a hip sunglasses shop, and Kağıthane, the best stationary shop in Istanbul. If you're looking to send postcards home to loved ones, this is a great place to find unique ones! 

After all that shopping and art, you must be starving! I will mention two vegan-friendly places, but of course, there are dozens of restaurants in Karaköy. 

The first spot on our walk is Tahin, a Lebanese vegan paradise! Hummus, falafel, dolma, tahini, za'atar. It's all delicious.

Or keep walking to Namlı Gurme, a gourmet delicatessen. My favorite meal in Turkey is meze, lots of small mouthwatering dishes (think tapas but Turkish), and the best part is many of them are vegan! The staff here can direct you to all the vegan meze, just ask! If you're not hungry yet, you MUST go in to sample the grilled olives in the back corner. Oh, olives! Let me count the ways I love you. Green, black, purple, grilled, each divinely special, and these grilled olives will leave you speechless.

Next door is Karaköy Güllüoğlu filled with sweet baklava. Not vegan, but famously delicious.

But! Next door to that is Koska, and their lokum (Turkish Delight) is vegan and gluten-free! Yay! Go in and sample all the flavors and let me know in the comments below, which is your favorite. Mine are pomegranate pistachio and rose. So much yum!

Cross the street to feel the seaside breeze. From this beautiful spot, you can watch people fish, admire the Galata Bridge, count the ferries as they cruise by, play with the seagulls, and admire the striking Istanbul skyline. If you look carefully starting on the left, you can see Topkapi Palace, Yeni Camii (New Mosque), and Suleymaniye Camii (Suleymaniye Mosque). Their domed roofs reaching for the Heavens, and minarets standing tall waiting for their turn to shine as they play the soothing call the prayer.

Linger as long as you like, but when you're ready to move on, we'll see more street art on our way to Mae Zae, an enchanting basement boutique curated with unique jewelry, home decor, vintage items, clothes, bags, shoes, and art. If you love earrings, this is your store! The earring collection is out of this world! Mae Zae also hosts workshops so you can connect with your inner creative side and meet interesting people!

Finished! Now it's time to relax in a cafe. My two favorite spots are Karabatak and FilBooks.

Karabatak, the first cafe to open in Karaköy, was an abandoned metal workshop turned quintessential cafe. I was a frequent visitor from the second I laid eyes on this perfect corner. Countless Murakami books were read amid vintage decor and a perfectly tiled floor. Countless people were watched stroll down the street while sipping lemonade under a canopy of vines.

FilBooks is a delightful cafe with super delicious cakes (the red velvet was my cake of choice before going vegan). The collection of photography books, journals to capture your thoughts, and youthful swings to forget your worries on the second floor just add to the ambiance. They also host photography workshops and artist talks. 

If you came later in the day and are looking for cocktails, Mitte and Finn are great options.

Here’s a map to make your walk even easier. The blue line is the main walking route, but veer off the path a bit to discover even more. The purple stars are my favorite galleries, boutiques, and cafes, but there is so much more.

Leave a comment and tell me what you liked best about Karaköy!