Istanbul: City of Endless Nights

Much more than a city of former empires, Istanbul is especially at night with rooftop bars, modern restaurants, modern state-of-the-art event centers and bustling traditional taverns. On both sides of the Bosphorus, the city's neighborhoods showcase their own special nightlife appeal, whether it's a hidden cocktail bar or a stage where the best indie bands perform.

Istanbul is famous for many things. The domes of the historical architecture of Sultanahmet, the flamboyant Ottoman palaces and the seagulls soaring on the ferries in the Bosphorus may be the first things that come to mind. Yet the urban and cultural energy that blooms after the sun goes down is still a bit of a local secret, often accessible only to those who know where to go. From rooftop bars enjoying spectacular sunsets to street level where music, performing arts, craft cocktails and even tavern vibrancy take center stage. Istanbul's nightlife is as plentiful as the endless network of winding back streets on both sides of the Bosphorus.

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Fine restaurants are popping up in the old Istiklal Street (Rue de Péra, formerly known as Grande) and hidden side streets, where tasting menus from young celebrity chefs redefine Turkish cuisine. The elevators go up to the rooftop bars, where the unobstructed view of Istanbul and the taste of the perfect mix of cocktails create a unique sense of freedom. In the beautiful labyrinth of cobbled back streets, hidden boutique cocktail bars inspired by the 1920s, jazz bars with local and foreign performers, and concert venues such as Salon İKSV, where indie bands from Turkey and abroad inspire old and new fans await you. Babylon in Bomontiada, once frequented by Beyoğlu for excellent concerts, is another magnet for famous bands that make Istanbul an indispensable stop on their world tours. Another excellent stop for music lovers is Zorlu Performing Arts Center, a multi-venue facility with one of Europe's largest main stages and a jazz bar to end the night in style.