5 places to visit in the Bayrampaşa district of Istanbul: Forum İstanbul Mall, SEA LIFE İstanbul Aquarium and Bayrampaşa Aqueducts. Plan your trip to Bayrampaşa with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Bayrampaşa is a district on the European side of Istanbul Province, known as Sağmalcılar until 1971. Bayrampaşa is the third-smallest district of Istanbul by area, covering 9.54 km². It became an independent district by law enacted in 1990.

History

The area was historically a place of viticulture and dairy farming, and it developed from 1927 with the settlement of migrants from the Balkans. On 1 November 1950, it gained the legal personality of an independent village under the name Sağmalcılar.

History and Culture

Bayrampaşa became an independent district in 1990 after separating from Eyüp. The town took the name Bayrampaşa in 1971. In 1927, a group of migrants from Filibe came to the area and were the first to settle there.

Highlights

In 1927, a couple of migrant families from the city of Filibe in Bulgaria laid the foundations of Bayrampaşa. The 3–4 factories that existed around Maltepe before 1955, together with newly opened ones, formed a working-class community in the town. The Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Sarıyer, Bayrampaşa and Mecidiyeköy (Büyükdere) streams are among the Istanbul streams that have been buried underground.

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Places to Visit in Bayrampaşa

  • 2 Historic
  • 3 Attraction
Attraction

Forum İstanbul Mall

One of Türkiye's largest shopping and entertainment centres, Forum İstanbul is the most popular venue in Bayrampaşa, with an aquarium, an ice rink and hundreds of shops.

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Attraction

SEA LIFE İstanbul Aquarium

An aquarium within Forum İstanbul, home to more than 15,000 marine animals. With an underwater tunnel and interactive pools, it is an ideal experience for families.

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Historic

Bayrampaşa Aqueducts

Water structures built by Mimar Sinan in the 16th century to meet the city's water needs.

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Historic

Maltepe Military Hospital

A hospital building commissioned by Mahmud II, later used for military purposes.

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Attraction

Numunebağları

Formerly a vineyard area, one of the picnic spots of the people of Istanbul.

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Places to Visit Around Istanbul Province

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While you are in Bayrampaşa, 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 Bayrampaşa

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

What to Eat in Bayrampaşa

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  • Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (home-style lokanta dishes)

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

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Bayrampaşa

  • Market Culture

    Bayrampaşa Market is the heart of Istanbul's food supply chain and keeps alive a wholesale tradition that has lasted for centuries.

Local Products

  • Market Products — Bayrampaşa Market is one of Istanbul's largest wholesale markets for fruit and vegetables.

Economy

Bayrampaşa is one of the important trade and logistics centres of Istanbul. Bayrampaşa Market, retail trade and industry are the main economic activities.

How to Get to Bayrampaşa

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

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Bayrampaşa: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Bayrampaşa?

The highlights of Bayrampaşa are 5 places: Forum İstanbul Mall, SEA LIFE İstanbul Aquarium, Bayrampaşa Aqueducts, Maltepe Military Hospital and Numunebağları.

What to eat in Bayrampaşa?

Esnaf Lokantası Yemekleri (home-style lokanta dishes) are the standout dishes on Bayrampaşa tables.

What is Bayrampaşa famous for?

Bayrampaşa is known for its Market Products and Market Culture. Bayrampaşa Market is one of Istanbul's largest wholesale markets for fruit and vegetables.

How do I get to Bayrampaşa?

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

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

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

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