by Brooke Yool (
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Brooke is a freelance writer, biology teacher, and small business owner living near Seattle, WA, USA. She is fully obsessed with traveling and learning about other cultures.
Strolling through the cafes and bars of Besiktas
Do you want to live life like an Istanbul local? Head up to the neighbourhood of Besiktas! Located on the European side of the Bosphorus, Besiktas is just south of the Bosphorus Bridge and not too far north of Taksim Square. It can easily be reached by bus from any of the tourist neighbourhoods.
When in this neighbourhood, the best thing to do is just get out and walk around. Besiktas is full of small restaurants, cafes, parks, and residential areas. Additionally, the eastern edge of Besiktas meets the Bosphorus Strait, and you will see many locals sitting out at the waterfront watching the boat traffic go by.
If you are concerned about any language barrier, don't be! Many Turks speak at least basic English, if not better. If you are still struggling with language at a cafe, just point to what you want and smile. You will certainly find that the Turks are among the friendliest people in the world.
Besiktas, one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Istanbul, offers a lot of character and charm. Make sure you check it out on your next trip to Istanbul!
