In İstanbul, there are posh neighbourhoods and there are Bohemian neighbourhoods but there is only one neighbourhood that is a haven for posh bohemians. What is meant are writers, actors, actresses, academics, artists, designers who do not only have intellectual capital but also wealth as Cihangir is one of the oldest and the most expensive neighbourhoods of the city.
The history goes back to the 16th century when Suleiman the Magnificent built a mosque for his son Cihangir who died at the age of only 22. The mosque has one of the most beautiful views in the city. Cihangir has always been a home to minorities such as the Greeks, Armenians, Levantines as well as the white Russians who fled the Bolshevik Revolution.
Today, Cihangir hosts a wide range of cafes, restaurants and bars that host the locals of the neighbourhood as well as visitors from all across İstanbul.
Cihangir is one of the most liberal neighbourhoods of the city where artists, students, expats and anyone who feel like a minority in İstanbul are welcomed. The buildings are historical, people are vibrant, spirit is light, the places are elegant, the conversations are deep, the prices are high. You should definitely visit it to have a glimpse of another İstanbul!
