The best walks in Istanbul: 8 strolls on foot

Before you go

• Shoes: the streets are cobbled and steep, often slippery in the rain. Wear closed shoes.
• Transport: the Istanbulkart covers tram, metro, funicular, bus and ferry. See Getting around Istanbul.
• Mosques: shoulders and knees covered; take off your shoes at the entrance.
• Weather and timing: see the best time to visit Istanbul. Set off in the morning in summer, and avoid the steepest slopes when it rains.

1. Sultanahmet, from the Hippodrome to Gülhane

Start: T1 tram, Sultanahmet stop. Route: the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, then Gülhane Park to Seraglio Point. Way back: T1 tram at Gülhane or Sirkeci. This is the most classic walk and a very busy one; set off at opening time. The district is detailed in our guide to Sultanahmet.

2. Galata, Karaköy and Tophane

Start: Tünel funicular station or Şişhane metro stop. Route: the Galata Tower, Serdar-ı Ekrem Street, the Kamondo Stairs, Bankalar Street, then Karaköy and the waterfront to Tophane and Istanbul Modern. Way back: T1 tram, Karaköy or Tophane stop. The slope runs downhill, which makes the walk easy; details in our guide to Galata and Karaköy.

3. İstiklal, Çukurcuma and Cihangir

Start: Tünel Square or Taksim. Route: İstiklal Avenue, then a descent to Çukurcuma, an antique-dealers' district home to the Museum of Innocence, then Cihangir, its cafés and its views of the Bosphorus. Way back: the Taksim-Kabataş funicular, or walk back along İstiklal. The Pera Museum is a possible stop. It is a neighbourhood stroll, pleasant in the late afternoon; quieter than the avenue.

4. Balat and Fener

Start: T5 tram or Golden Horn ferry, Fener stop. Route: the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Bulgarian St Stephen church, the Greek lyceum, then the climb to the colourful streets of Balat and Vodina Street. Way back: T5 tram or ferry. The streets are steep and lived in: be discreet, and photograph façades rather than residents. The full page is Balat and Fener, and the context is in the Golden Horn.

5. The walls, from Yedikule to Edirnekapı

Start: Yedikule (T6 train or Marmaray). Route: the southern section of the Theodosian Walls, several kilometres long, climbing towards Topkapı and then Edirnekapı. You can shorten it by getting off at Topkapı. Way back: T4 tram or Metrobüs at Edirnekapı. Finish at Tekfur Palace and Chora (Saint Saviour). This walk is long and offers little shelter; some sections are not laid out for pedestrians, so bring water and avoid walking alone at dusk.

6. Eyüp and Pierre Loti Hill

Start: Eyüp Sultan Mosque (T5 tram, Eyüpsultan Teleferik stop). Route: the mosque, then the climb through the cemetery to Pierre Loti Hill, or the cable car, and the walk back down through the cemetery. Way back: T5 tram. The walk is short but steep; see Eyüp and Pierre Loti Hill. Avoid the cemetery paths after dark.

7. Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk, on the Asian shore

Start: ferry from Eminönü or Marmaray to Üsküdar. Route: the waterfront of Üsküdar with the Maiden's Tower in view, then the walk along the Bosphorus to Kuzguncuk, a former mixed neighbourhood (Muslim, Greek, Armenian, Jewish) of wooden houses, cafés and small vegetable gardens. Way back: bus to Üsküdar, then ferry. Allow a flat walk of a few kilometres.

8. Kadıköy and Moda

Start: ferry to Kadıköy from Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş. Route: Kadıköy market, the streets behind Bahariye Street, then Moda, its shady streets and its seaside park, with a tea facing the islands. Way back: Kadıköy ferry, or the Moda tram. Details in our guide to Kadıköy and the Asian shore.

Which walk to choose?

Going further

Combine these walks with a day of sightseeing: our Istanbul in 2 days and 3 days itineraries mix them with the major sites. For things to do without paying, see free activities in Istanbul. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds: scams and safety in Istanbul.