Recommended, try it…
I will take you to places of peace and blessed silence. You will enjoy being away from the noise and chaos that disturbs you while reading, contemplating or working quietly. This content is prepared for everyone who loves silence and peace. I will take you to 5 places that are the indispensable address of those who seek calmness.
Turkish-German Bookstore Cafe
Opened in 1955, this place really takes us back to those years. If you are coming by metro, you will get off at Şişhane station and go up Istiklal Street. When you get out of the metro, turn to your right and it will be waiting for you on the right, not even 1,5 minutes away.
This is my favourite place. The staff is great, no one is standing over you and constantly asking you what you want. But the big handicap is that some hours are very busy. I usually prefer the morning hours.
I think the most striking feature of the place is that everyone comes here to either study, do their work or read a book. I think that the profile that visits this place is really the bright face of the society.
One of the good things is that there is no smoking in the place. At that moment when you are immersed in silence and peace, you are not drowned in cigarette smoke.
Address: Türk Alman Kitabevi & Cafe, Şahkulu, Istiklal Cd. No:237, 34431 Beyoglu/Istanbul
Working Hours: 07:00-23:00
Tasarım Bookshop & Cafe
It’s a great place to read a book, sit quietly and write something. I think if I want to open a place in the future, it will be just like this. The fact that the walls are full of books makes me so excited. When you want to take a break from what you are doing, this is a place where you can breathe a little bit in the world of books. Like its name, it is really a marvel of design.
The only negative feature of the place is that it closes at 20.00 in the evening. It is a sad situation for someone like me, who runs to book cafes instead of going home after work.
Address: Caferaga, Nevzemin Sk. 6/A, 34714 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Working Hours: 10:00-20:00
Kırmızı Kedi (İstanbul Beyoğlu Tünel)
It is a marvellous place that I came across while descending and ascending the slopes of Şişhane and gave me a rest.
When I first came across it, I was very sad that I hadn’t seen it before, but I was glad that I wasn’t too late. I was immediately filled with the desire to explore it. I entered and the orderly arrangement of books, clean tables and bright people instantly made me forget my tiredness and filled me with peace. This is an exquisite place where those who always keep their passion for writing alive in them can get inspiration.
Imagine yourself in a bookstore, this is the bookstore in that dream. I recommend this place to you with great enthusiasm. Believe me, you will not regret it for a moment. Especially go here to do your most complicated work, the knots will be untied in an instant with the atmosphere of the place.
Address: Tünel Meydanı Sokak No:2 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Working Hours: 09:00-22:00
IBB Moda Pier Library - Atatürk Library
It is a great place where the smell of books and the sea meet, a meeting point for all book lovers. You can draw the route of this place as follows, a walk on the fashionable beach in the morning, followed by a nice, delicious and cheap coffee.
This is one of the most beautiful projects of IBB. Reopened on 19 August 2022. It has attracted great attention since the day it opened and will continue to do so. This is where literature lovers on both sides meet. It is a place where especially students are in the majority and the view is pure sea. I think in one word, peace, the smell, texture and colour of the sea and the wonderful world of books.
Address: Caferaga, Moda Cd., 34710 Kadıköy/Istanbul
Working Hours: 09:00-22:00
Books and Coffee
I first saw this place completely by chance in 2017. I think the admiration and amazement I experienced after seeing it was worth seeing. And at that time, although I lived in Istanbul, I promised myself that I would come here one day a year. I immediately shared it on Instagram. I wanted to raise awareness to everyone who was not aware of such a place. It was a great thing.
I’ve been going here since 2017, even if it’s just one day a year. The only negative feature is the refugee density of Karaköy and the crowd of people concentrated around this place, but believe me, the profile of the upper floor is completely different. There are only people who come here to read and study.
Address: Azapkapı, Lieutenant Hüseyin Sofu Sk. No:13, 34431 Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Working Hours: 09:00-23:00