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4 places to visit in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul: Cumhuriyet Square, Esenyurt Historic Centre Mosque and Haramidere Bridge. Plan your trip to Esenyurt with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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According to the 2025 results of the Turkish Statistical Institute, with a population of 1,003,905 Esenyurt became the first district in Türkiye to exceed one million residents.

Geography

Esenyurt lies within the Istanbul metropolitan area, in the Thrace sub-region of the Marmara Region. The district borders Büyükçekmece to the west, Başakşehir to the north, Arnavutköy to the north-west, Avcılar to the east and Beylikdüzü to the south. It is the most populous district in Istanbul and in Türkiye, and it is made up of 43 neighbourhoods.

History

A settlement founded in the early 19th century on a farm owned by Ekrem Ömer Paşa took its name, Eşkinoz, from the Eşkinoz family, who were among its shareholders. In 1967 the settlement was renamed Esenyurt. The founding mayor of Esenyurt Municipality was Gürbüz Çapan.

Culture

Istanbul Esenyurt University, which began education in 2013, is of great importance.

Squares

Esenyurt Cumhuriyet Square connects Doğan Araslı Boulevard and 19 Mayıs Boulevard. To keep the square secure, police teams are permanently on duty around the Atatürk Monument.

History and Culture

Esenyurt became a district in 2008 when it merged with the town of Kıraç. It gained municipality status in 1989. The settlement was founded on farmland at the beginning of the 19th century and took the name Eşkinoz.

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Places to Visit in Esenyurt

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 1 Attraction
  • 1 Other
Cumhuriyet Meydanı - Esenyurt Photo: buzkozan (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Attraction

Cumhuriyet Square

A square connecting Doğan Araslı Boulevard and 19 Mayıs Boulevard, which hosts a range of events.

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Religious

Esenyurt Historic Centre Mosque

One of the district's historic mosques.

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Historic

Haramidere Bridge

A historic bridge in Esenyurt.

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Other

Esenyurt Republic Square

One of Esenyurt's most popular squares, connecting two boulevards.

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Places to Visit Around Istanbul Province

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While you are in Esenyurt, 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 Esenyurt

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

What to Eat in Esenyurt

Food guide →

  • Anatolian Flavours

    Thanks to Esenyurt's multicultural character, dishes from every region of Anatolia can be found in the district.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Esenyurt

  • Migration Mosaic

    Esenyurt is the most populous district in Türkiye. People from different regions of Anatolia and the world live together here in a multicultural community.

Local Products

  • Textile Products — Esenyurt is one of Istanbul's textile production and sales centres.

Economy

Esenyurt is the most populous district in Istanbul. Textiles, trade, construction and the service sector are its main economic activities.

How to Get to Esenyurt

Esenyurt is connected to Istanbul by metrobus and bus lines. The E-5 and TEM motorways pass through the district.

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Esenyurt: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Esenyurt?

The top 4 sights in Esenyurt are Cumhuriyet Square, Esenyurt Historic Centre Mosque, Haramidere Bridge and Esenyurt Republic Square.

What to eat in Esenyurt?

Anatolian Flavours are standout dishes on Esenyurt's tables.

What is Esenyurt famous for?

Esenyurt is known for its Textile Products and Migration Mosaic. Esenyurt is one of Istanbul's textile production and sales centres.

How do I get to Esenyurt?

Esenyurt is connected to Istanbul by metrobus and bus lines. The E-5 and TEM motorways pass through the district.

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

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

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