TR RU

5 places to visit in the Bahçelievler district of Istanbul: Havuzlu Köşk, Çobançeşme Bridge and Soğanlı Fountain. Plan your trip to Bahçelievler with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

Bahçelievler is a district on the European side of Istanbul Province. It separated from Bakırköy district in 1992 to gain district status and consists of 11 neighbourhoods.

History

Bahçelievler and its surroundings were known as Hepdemon in the Byzantine Empire, an area where farming and viticulture were intensively practised. Hepdemon lay on the route of caravans and military convoys travelling from Rumeli to Istanbul. The Hepdemon Churches in the Hepdemon square, namely Ayios, Ionnis, Evangelistis and Vaktitis, were very famous, and emperors were crowned in these churches. Until the 1960s, the population of Bahçelievler grew rapidly, rising from 8,500 in 1960 to over 100,000 by 1975.

History and Culture

Bahçelievler became a district in 1992 after separating from Bakırköy. Hepdemon was an area on the route into Istanbul. During major earthquakes, people used to take refuge in this area.

Highlights

Bahçelievler and its surroundings were an area where farming and viticulture intensified in the Byzantine Empire, and were known as Hepdemon. It became a district in 1992 after separating from Bakırköy district.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in Bahçelievler

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 3 Cultural
Cultural

Havuzlu Köşk

Also known as the Siyavuş Paşa Mansion, a 16th-century Ottoman civil architecture building in Milli Egemenlik Park. Today it is used as a children's library.

View on map
Cultural

Çobançeşme Bridge

Also known as the Mimar Sinan Bridge, a Byzantine-period bridge with six arches and a length of 38 metres, located at the junction of London Asphalt and Atatürk Airport.

View on map
Cultural

Soğanlı Fountain

A fountain built in the Byzantine Empire to quench the thirst of soldiers.

View on map
Ancient City

Viran Saray

An Ottoman-period palace in Yenibosna Merkez Neighbourhood. It takes its name from the city of Bosnia, which is now within the borders of Yugoslavia.

View on map
Historic

Hepdemon Churches

Churches in the area known as Hepdemon in the Byzantine period, where emperors were crowned.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Istanbul Province

See all →

While you are in Bahçelievler, you can also see the highlights of Istanbul province. These places are in other districts.

  • Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque) — Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between 532 and 537, this was the largest cathedral in the world for about a thousand years; it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1934, and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. With its dome 55 metres high and its Byzantine mosaics, it is one of the turning points in the history of architecture.
  • Topkapı Palace — Built by Mehmed the Conqueror at Sarayburnu in the 1460s, the palace was the seat of government and residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years; with its Harem, Treasury, Holy Relics and courtyards, it is now a museum.
  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) — A six-minaret mosque built for Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa; it is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the more than 20,000 İznik tiles decorating its interior.
  • Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — A vast underground cistern built in the 6th century under Justinian and carried on 336 columns; the Medusa heads under two of the columns are its most famous corner.
  • Süleymaniye Mosque — Built by Mimar Sinan for Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, the mosque stands at the centre of a large complex with madrasas, a hospital, a soup kitchen and tombs; its silhouette on the hill overlooking the Golden Horn is one of the symbols of the city.
  • Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, made up of more than 60 streets and thousands of shops that grew up around the bedestens built under Mehmed the Conqueror; carpets, jewellery, copperware and leather goods are sold.

Practical Information for Visiting Bahçelievler

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
All year round
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Bahçelievler

Food guide →

  • Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (home-style lokanta dishes)

    Bahçelievler's tradesmen's lokantas serve traditional Turkish home cooking at affordable prices.

  • Kebap Çeşitleri (kebap varieties)

    Kebap restaurants in the district serve various kinds of kebap, especially Adana and Urfa kebap.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Bahçelievler

  • Trade Fair Culture

    Thanks to CNR Expo, Bahçelievler is one of the important centres of trade fair and congress tourism in Istanbul.

Local Products

  • Trade Fair Products — At fairs held at CNR Expo, products from various sectors are displayed and offered for sale.

Economy

Bahçelievler is one of the densely populated residential and trade centres on the European side of Istanbul. Retail trade, the service sector and trade fair tourism are the main economic activities.

How to Get to Bahçelievler

Bahçelievler is connected to every part of Istanbul by metrobus, metro (M1) and bus lines.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Istanbul

Bahçelievler: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Bahçelievler?

The highlights of Bahçelievler are 5 places: Havuzlu Köşk, Çobançeşme Bridge, Soğanlı Fountain, Viran Saray and Hepdemon Churches.

What to eat in Bahçelievler?

Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (home-style lokanta dishes) and Kebap Çeşitleri (kebap varieties) are the standout dishes on Bahçelievler tables.

What is Bahçelievler famous for?

Bahçelievler is known for its Trade Fair Products and Trade Fair Culture. At fairs held at CNR Expo, products from various sectors are displayed and offered for sale.

How do I get to Bahçelievler?

Bahçelievler is connected to every part of Istanbul by metrobus, metro (M1) and bus lines.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Bahçelievler?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: all year round.

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Istanbul

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.