Istanbul Neighbourhoods: Where to Buy or Rent, District by District

Istanbul has 39 districts on two continents, and the right one depends on your budget, your commute, the school run and whether you will live in the flat or let it. These guides cover the districts our clients ask about most, each with prices, rents, transport, building checks and the rules that apply to foreign buyers there.

Istanbul districts compared
District	Side	In short
Başakşehir	European side	Başakşehir is a planned family suburb in north-western Istanbul with gated sites, parks, a 2,682-bed city hospital, the M3 and, since June 2026, an M11 link to the airport.
Beşiktaş	European side	Beşiktaş is Istanbul's prime Bosphorus district, from Ortaköy, Arnavutköy and Bebek on the shore to Etiler, Ulus and Levent inland.
Beylikdüzü	European side	Beylikdüzü is a large modern suburb on the Marmara coast at the western end of the Metrobüs, about 35 to 40 km from Taksim.
Beyoğlu	European side	Beyoğlu is central, historic Istanbul: Taksim, Galata, Karaköy, Cihangir and the Golden Horn neighbourhoods.
Kağıthane	European side	Kağıthane is the new-build district beside Levent and Maslak: newer flats in towers and gated sites near the M2, M7 and M11, usually cheaper per square metre than Beşiktaş or Şişli.
Sarıyer	European side	Sarıyer is Istanbul's northern Bosphorus district: waterfront villages such as Emirgan, İstinye and Tarabya, the Maslak and Ayazağa business district on the M2 metro, and a forest belt around Zekeriyaköy.
Şişli	European side	Şişli is central Istanbul's business and shopping district: Nişantaşı's boutiques, Bomonti's towers, the Mecidiyeköy transport hub and the Esentepe offices.
Kadıköy	Asian side	Kadıköy is the Asian side's most sought-after district: walkable, on the M4, Marmaray and ferry routes, and suited to families, professionals and long-term landlords.
Üsküdar	Asian side	Üsküdar is a greener, more traditional Asian-side district on the Bosphorus, running from its historic centre and shore villages to Altunizade and the Çamlıca hills.

All district guides

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Buying Property in Kağıthane, Istanbul: Area Guide

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Buying Property in Sarıyer, Istanbul: Area Guide (2026)

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Buying Property in Şişli, Istanbul (2026): Neighbourhoods, Prices and Checks

Buying property in Şişli in 2026: Nişantaşı, Bomonti, Mecidiyeköy and Fulya compared, with prices, rents, transport, building checks and res...

Buying Property in Kadıköy, Istanbul (2026): Area Guide

Buying or living in Kadıköy in 2026: neighbourhoods compared, prices against the Istanbul average, rents, transport, renewal and earthquake...

Buying Property in Üsküdar, Istanbul (2026): Area Guide

Buying or living in Üsküdar in 2026: neighbourhoods compared, prices against the Istanbul average, rents, transport and the Bosphorus Law ex...

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