Istanbul's shopping and style centre

Noteworthy for: Nişantaşi is all about top-notch stores and restaurants, stunning architecture and beautiful people.

Nişantaşi's well-heeled streets are packed with high-end designer boutiques, stylish cafés, upmarket restaurants and trendy bars. European in atmosphere, it became a residential neighbourhood in 1853 when Sultan Abdül Mecit moved his court from Topkapi to Dolmabahçe Palace. After Turkey became a Republic in 1923, the new elite took over and it's still one of the city's most coveted addresses.

It's famous for its beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, and primarily for its shopping; Prada, Chanel and Louis Vuitton rub shoulders with Turkish designers Arzu Kaprol, Vakko and Gönül Paksoy along Istanbul's most expensive shopping street Abdi İpekçi Avenue. But you can also find more budget-friendly retailers on parallel avenue Teşvikiye Caddesi, such as Zara and Mudo. Shopping aside, this is somewhere to come watch the beautiful people pass by.