As one of Turkey’s top education hubs, Istanbul University is a terrific place to experience the city’s vibrant student culture. Over the years it’s produced an impressive portfolio of alumni, from presidents and prime ministers to poets and musicians. The bustling Grand Bazaar is just a stone’s throw away and is considered one of the oldest, largest and most impressive markets on the planet.
For visitors, Istanbul University is a fantastic place to indulge in an afternoon of people watching. The university’s main gate is fronted by Beyazıt Square, a spacious plaza that’s home to street vendors, students and flocks of pigeons. For those wanting to be close to the action, there are plenty of hotels centred around the Grand Bazaar and the Süleymaniye Mosque.
The university is located on the European side of the city, in the Fatih district. It’s easy to access by public transport, with both trams and buses servicing the area. From Taksim Square, it’s a 15-minute drive or a one-hour scenic walk over the magnificent Bosphorus Strait.
Unlike most campuses, Istanbul University hasn’t always been an academic building. It was originally built as the Ottoman Ministry of War, with architects drawing inspiration from fortresses, citadels and strongholds. Today, its martial aesthetic makes it one of the world’s most fascinating university campuses.