Cihangir
Lead photo
Detail
DetailBohemian, social, hilly. Great views, strong cafe culture.
The bohemian heart of Istanbul. Cihangir is a small hilltop neighborhood with steep streets, Bosphorus views from every cafe, and a strong community feel. Popular with artists, freelancers, and foreigners. Higher rents than the Asian side but unbeatable atmosphere.
Walk to Taksim (10 min), Kabatas tram/funicular, ferries from Kabatas
Verified cafes and coworking, scored on what matters.
Cafes
Norm Coffee
3.6/5Multi-roaster specialty cafe in Cihangir, using beans from Probador Colectiva, Petra, Kronotrop, and Four Letter Word. Custom-made Slayer espresso machine (only one in Istanbul), V60 and filter. Minimalist interior, homemade Basque cheesecake and tartines.
Espressolab Cihangir
3.6/5Two-level branch of the Turkish specialty chain, with a balcony overlooking the street. Free wifi capped at 2 hours (noted by visitor guides), so not ideal for all-day camps. Large menu, consistent across the chain.
European sideBesiktas
European sideLively waterfront district with a big market, student energy, and ferry access on both sides.
European sideKarakoy / Galata
European sideDesign district between the bridge and the tower. Specialty coffee, galleries, and central access.
European sideNisantasi
European sidePolished, central, and cafe-rich. Good for nomads who want comfort, boutiques, gyms, and easy access to Sisli.
European sideLevent
European sideBusiness-district base with metro access, malls, offices, and the most practical coworking density.
Next step
Coming to Cihangir? Say hi before you land.
Join the Telegram group and we'll point you to this week's meetup, a reliable cafe, and anything else you need to settle in.
