🎨 Street Art in Istanbul: Where to Find It

The Underground Canvas of Two Continents: Istanbul’s street art scene explodes across both sides of the Bosphorus, transforming neighborhoods from Kadıköy’s massive festival murals to Karaköy’s intimate shop shutters. This living gallery spans metro stations, hidden alleys, and entire building facades – telling stories of resistance, identity, and urban dreams in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

🌍 The Big Picture: Istanbul’s Street Art Revolution

Historic Context

The street art scene in Istanbul really started gaining momentum with the launch of the Mural-East Festival – the Mural Istanbul Festival in 2012. Based in Kadıköy, and supported by the Kadıköy Municipality and the ÇEKÜL Foundation, the festival brought artists from all over the world — 39 artists from 17 countries and 6 continents.

The movement gained additional political weight during the 2013 Gezi Park protests, when many of the artists participating in the project chose to reference the Park in their works. Famous street artist INTI – whose work often features skulls, animals, people and elements from Chilean culture – not only named his mural “Resistancia” but also included the words “Memoria Resistancia” in his work.

Current Scene

Districts such as Kadıköy, Karaköy, and Balat are the heart of street art in Istanbul. When you walk around these areas, you can encounter various street art works on walls, side walls of buildings, and even sometimes on sidewalks. Street art in Istanbul often carries social messages. Artists address various topics in their works: politics, the environment, human rights, and more.

🏙️ KADIKOY: The Asian Side Masterpiece Gallery

Yeldeğirmeni District – The Main Canvas

Metro Access: M4 line to Kadıköy station
Ferry Access: From Eminönü, Karaköy, or Beşiktaş

In particular, the Yeldeğirmeni district has been home to many murals as part of the “Yeldeğirmeni Sanat” project, which was launched in 2012. Under this project, local and international artists have transformed the walls of buildings in the area into works of art.

Why Yeldeğirmeni? Yeldeğirmeni’s choice was probably also decided because here there are smooth walls without windows (or with few windows) of a certain number of condominiums.

Must-See Murals in Kadıköy

“Ark Istanbul” by Dome

📍 Posizione: 15 Misaki Milli Sokak, at junction with Teyyaraseci Sami Sokak, side of Otel Aktas
This particular work Ark Istanbul has so much detail in it, especially when you stare at it a little more. – I’ve also seen it named as ‘Noah’, so it’s probably some sort of call back to Noah’s Ark. Kinda love how surreal and beautiful it is, overlooking a tiny carpark.

“Resistancia” by INTI (Chile)

Historical Significance: Painted during 2013 Gezi Park protests
Meaning: References political resistance and memory
Chilean street artist Inti visited Istanbul in 2013 and painted a mural entitled ‘Resistencia’ or ‘Resistence’ no doubt referring to the political situation in the country at the time.

“Pray for Rain” by Fintan Magee (Australia)

📍 Posizione: 10 Nakil Sk.
Australian street artist Fintan Magee came to Istanbul in 2017 and painted a striking mural entitled ‘Pray for Rain’ depicting a group of young people holding buckets. The artworks relates to climate change and is a reference to the artist’s hometown of Brisbane when water restrictions were imposed following a severe drought in the city in 2008.

“Sunbathing” by WD (Indonesia)

📍 Posizione: Rasimpasa Mahallesi Mühendis Sari Ali Sokak No 24
Mural by Indonesian street artist WD called ‘Sunbathing’ depicts a girl surrounded by giant sunflowers and gazing up at the sky with some fantastic 3-D details. This one was painted at the end of 2019.

“Mother and Child” by Levi Ponce & Kristy Sandoval (USA)

This work by American artists Levi Ponce and Kristy Sandoval is pretty eye catching and you might notice that the portrait is inspired by the Mother and Child artwork found in the Hagia Sophia. Levi specialises in portraits and created the Mural Mile of Pacoima in San Fernando Valley in a bid to improve his home town with art.

“UFO Attack” by M-City & Sepe (Poland)

📍 Posizione: 5 Talimhane Sk.
Titled ‘UFO Attack’, this is a stencil by Sepex and M-City created in 2014. I love the use of a single color to portray the starkness of the situation.

“Crossroad” by Sepe & Chazme (Poland)

📍 Posizione: 2 Talimhane Sk.
Credit to Michael “Sepe” Wręga and Daniel “Chazme” Kalinowski, both from Poland, for their work entitled ‘Crossroad’ from 2014. Each of the four sets of characters is different, and is another one of those detailed pieces that really tells a story.

Finding the Art

If he systematically follows the gridiron of the streets in Yeldeğirmeni, the traveler will end up finding all or almost all the works. However, by entering the query “Istanbul Street Art – Kadiköy” on Google Maps, the exact location of all the works will appear.

🌉 KARAKOY: Shop Shutters & Intimate Murals

The European Side’s Street Art Hub

Metro Access: M2 line to Şişhane station
Ferry Access: Karaköy Ferry Terminal

In Karaköy, every wall feels like a page torn from a diary. Here, Karaköy graffiti isn’t just rebellion — it’s memory. You’ll find murals layered over years of city noise: a girl with golden wings, a cat watching from a pipe, a poem sprawled beside an old rusted door.

Notable Works in Karaköy

“Grandchildren, Roots” by Maria Bedoian (Argentina)

📍 Posizione: Lüleci Hendek Cadesi No 12 (DEPO building)
Argentine artist Maria Bedoian painted a mural in 2015 on the side of the DEPO building entitled ‘Grandchildren, Roots’ that features a Tower of Babel and the roots of a tree intertwined with staircases. Bedoian was invited to paint the mural by the contemporary art space and said it relates to: “a tower that nurtures cosmopolitanism, with all its richness and dislocations”.

Highero’s Cartoon Characters

Cartoon characters painted with spray by Turkish street artist Highero can be found all over Karaköy.

“Woman with Mimosas” Stairs

📍 Posizione: Galataport seafront promenade toward Dolmabahçe Palace
The mural is a tribute to Osman Hamdi Bey’s famous painting, amazingly recreated on stairs. The artists are students from Mimar Sinan Fine Art University, which is actually nearby.

Shop Shutter Art

Karaköy doesn’t have the giant murals like Kadıköy, but it’s got something just as amazing: shop shutters covered in graffiti.

Best Areas:

Around Galata Tower
Around the cobbled streets and the steps on the climb up to Galata Tower, the souvenir shops, walls and alleyways have been sprayed with graffiti and stencils

Hoca Tahsin Street (Umbrella Street)

📍 Posizione: Between Karaköy and Galata
If you want to escape the din of the drilling and building work in Karaköy, a couple of blocks away is Hoca Tahsin street. It’s an oasis of bars, cafes and restaurants and a cool art installation of umbrellas makes the street once known as Semsiyeli Sokak one of the most colourful outdoor spaces in the city.

🏘️ BALAT: Historic Neighborhood Canvas

The Colorful Quarter’s Street Art

Metro Access: T5 tram to Fener or Balat stations
Ferry Access: Fener Ferry Terminal

Wander through Balat streets, and you’ll walk between timelines. Historic wooden houses lean into alleys where colorful murals bloom like urban wildflowers. In this old Jewish and Greek neighborhood, the past lingers — but so does creativity.

Key Locations

Erika Coffee & Patisserie Area

📍 Posizione: Yıldırım Cd. No:102, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul
In front of the cafe you can find a captivating mural of a woman with two circle mirrors for glasses. On the walls and buildigs around you can see even more interesting pieces of the street art of Istanbul.

As you explore the area around Erika Coffee & Patisserie, you’ll discover plenty of street art pieces, the colorful stairs, the umbrella street and cozy authentic cafes that make Balat one of the most charming and Instagrammable neighborhoods in Istanbul.

Rainbow Stairs & Umbrella Street

📍 Umbrella Street Location: Merdivenli Mektep Sk. No:2, 34087
Don’t miss the other colorful streets around the corner from this umbrella street. Those include Istanbul’s rainbow stairs next to the İncir ağacı kahvesi cafe.

Balat’s Artistic Identity

Balat, Istanbul’s historic and culturally rich neighborhood, has become an important center for street art, especially graffiti, in recent years. Balat’s narrow and colorful streets are home to graffiti works by many local and foreign artists. These works often carry social and political messages and address issues such as the environment, human rights, and social justice.

🚇 METRO STATION ART: Underground Galleries

The Unexpected Art Spaces

Many of the Istanbul metro stops house surprisingly beautiful decorations and works of art, deep underground.

Notable Metro Station Art

Ümraniye Metro Stop

Features: Orange, yellow and green tiles with chandelier installations
Description: Highlights of the metro system’s artistic integration

Bağlarbaşı Metro Station

Features: Birds on trees and wild yellow tulip panels
Posizione: Next to Marmara University Ilhiyat Mosque

Vezneciler Metro Station

Features: Large black circular art installation
Significance: Modern art integration in historical district

Train Art Culture

Istanbul also seems to have a big illegal graffiti scene and you might see a number of metro trains that have been bombed.

🎨 KEY ARTISTS & COLLECTIVES

International Artists

INTI (Chile)

Signature Style: Skulls, animals, people, Chilean cultural elements
Famous Work: “Resistancia” (2013)
Meaning: Political resistance and memory during Gezi protests

Fintan Magee (Australia)

Style: Environmental themes, social commentary
Notable Work: “Pray for Rain” – climate change awareness piece

M-City & Sepe (Poland)

Collaboration: Part of EU Common Experience project
Style: Monochrome stencils with urban themes
Famous Works: “UFO Attack,” “Crossroad”

Maria Bedoian (Argentina)

Style: Cultural cosmopolitanism, architectural elements
Signature: “Grandchildren, Roots” at DEPO building

Turkish Artists

Cins

One of Kadıköy’s most well-known street artists, you’ll see Cins’ signature swirl of colorful innards all over the city. Horns and tongues and skeletal matter all seem to melt and intertwine in his piece,s where every possible bit of matter dances around the other to an invisible song.

Highero

Specialty: Cartoon characters
Posizione: Found throughout Karaköy
Style: Playful spray-painted characters

Lakormis

One of the few female artists among the streets, Lakormis’ talent is palpable in her bold colors and themes, often focusing on the distorted human figure that seems more beautiful in its abstract state.

Wicx

You’ll always know you’ve come upon a piece by Wicx because of his unique style that cannot be mistaken for anyone else’s work.

Artist Collectives

The Writer Material Crew

Active Years: 2016-present
Style: Nature and bird themes
Posizione: Various locations in Kadıköy
Notable Work: “Renaissance” (2017)

🗺️ NEIGHBORHOOD MAPPING & NAVIGATION

Google Maps Search Terms

Kadıköy: “Istanbul Street Art – Kadiköy”
Karaköy: “Galata street art” or “Karaköy murals”
Balat: “Balat street art” or “Fener Balat graffiti”

Detailed Location Coordinates

Kadıköy Key Spots

Dome’s “Ark Istanbul”: 40.9897° N, 29.0249° E
Fintan Magee mural: 40.9889° N, 29.0267° E
M-City UFO: 40.9883° N, 29.0261° E
Talimhane Sokak cluster: 40.9884° N, 29.0259° E

Karaköy Essentials

DEPO building (Bedoian): 41.0256° N, 28.9781° E
Galata Tower area: 41.0256° N, 28.9741° E
Hoca Tahsin Street: 41.0249° N, 28.9787° E

Balat Highlights

Erika Coffee area: 41.0295° N, 28.9476° E
Rainbow stairs: 41.0296° N, 28.9477° E
Umbrella street: 41.0294° N, 28.9475° E

Transportation Routes

Cross-Bosphorus Art Tour

Start: Kadıköy (ferry from Eminönü – 20 minutes)
Continue: Return by ferry to Karaköy (15 minutes)
Finish: Metro M2 to Şişhane, walk to Balat area

European Side Focus

Karaköy: M2 metro to Şişhane
Balat: T5 tram from Eminönü
Walking: 25-minute walk between Karaköy and Balat

📸 PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Best Times for Photography

Golden Hour: 1 hour before sunset for warm lighting
Early Morning: 8-10 AM for fewer crowds, better access
Overcast Days: Even lighting, no harsh shadows on murals
Blue Hour: Just after sunset for dramatic urban context

Technical Photography Tips

Equipment Recommendations

Wide-Angle Lens: 14-24mm for large-scale murals
Standard Zoom: 24-70mm for details and medium shots
Smartphone: Often easier for tight spaces and street situations

Composition Techniques

Include Context: Show surrounding architecture and street life
Detail Shots: Capture artist signatures and intricate elements
Human Scale: Include people to show mural size
Before/After: Document how art transforms spaces

Legal & Ethical Considerations

Public Spaces: Generally okay to photograph
Artist Attribution: Always credit artists when sharing
Local Respect: Be mindful of residents in residential areas
Shop Shutters: Ask permission if shops are open

Instagram & Social Media

Hashtags: #IstanbulStreetArt #MuralIstanbul #KadikoyArt #KarakoyGraffiti
Tagging: @muralistanbul @istanbulstreetart
Best Times: Upload during EU evening hours for maximum engagement

🎪 FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Mural Istanbul Festival

Founded: 2012
Annual Event: Typically September-October
Focus: International artists, large-scale murals
Locations: Primarily Kadıköy, expanding to other districts

Until 2015, the festival focused on walls in the Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood, though this year’s event also takes over buildings in Moda, Kadıköy Çarşı and Hasanpaşa.

Street Art Festival Istanbul

Founded: 2007 by Pertev Emre Tastaban
Historic: Turkey’s first annual street art festival
Evolution: From June 12–13, 2009, the first festival took place in the Galata area in Beyoğlu

Common Experience Project

Years: 2014-present
Focus: Turkish-Polish cultural exchange
Result: Common Experience (a joint project between Street Art Doping and Mural Istanbul) transformed the façades of two boring apartment buildings on Talimhane Sokak in Yeldeğirmeni

🕵️ HIDDEN GEMS & SECRET SPOTS

Off-the-Beaten-Path Locations

Şişhane District

Tucked behind the hustle of Istiklal, Şişhane surprises the curious traveler. Around every corner, Şişhane murals bloom on concrete like unexpected flowers. These works don’t scream; they whisper.

Moda Neighborhood

Though not on every tourist map, the quiet streets of Moda are lined with tiny treasures.

Industrial Areas

Near Factories: Hidden legal walls where artists practice
Abandoned Buildings: Historical layers of graffiti (explore safely)
Construction Sites: Temporary canvases with rotating art

Local Artist Hangouts

Art Supply Shops: The Donut Store (near Osmanbey metro station) sells a lot of paints
Underground Bars: Karaköy’s alternative scene gatherings
University Areas: Near Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University

📱 USEFUL APPS & TOOLS

Street Art Discovery Apps

Street Art Cities: Istanbul is part of Street Art Cities, the biggest database of street art from all over the world
Street Art Istanbul App: There is an app for that (Street Art Istanbul)
StreetArtCities Istanbul Map: Use This Map Tool: StreetArtCities Istanbul Map – for up-to-date information on what’s still there. Super helpful. Real-time mural updates. You can even filter by artist or neighborhood

Navigation & Transportation

Citymapper: Best for Istanbul public transport
Google Maps: Reliable for walking directions and business hours
Istanbul Municipality App: Official transport updates

Social Media Resources

Instagram: @muralistanbul, @istanbulstreetart
Facebook: Mural Istanbul Festival page
Local Photography Groups: Istanbul Street Photography communities

⚠️ IMPORTANT TRAVEL NOTES

Street Art Sustainability

Check if the art still exists – Street art moves fast and Istanbul’s constantly changing. Some murals get painted over, others fade out.

Walking Preparation

Wear comfortable shoes – if you’re like me, I usually walk over 20,000 steps daily when exploring Istanbul.

Starting Point Strategy

Start in Kadıköy — ferry from Karaköy or Eminönü gets you there fast.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer: Early morning and evening tours to avoid heat
Winter: Shorter daylight hours, dress warmly for outdoor exploration
Rain: Many works are protected under overhangs or in covered areas

🎯 CALL TO ACTION: Explore Istanbul’s Street Art Scene

🚶‍♂️ Guided Street Art Tours

“Cross-Continental Street Art Adventure”

Duration: Full Day (8 hours)
Route: Kadıköy → Ferry → Karaköy → Balat
Includes: Expert guide, ferry tickets, lunch, artist meet-and-greet
Group Size: Maximum 8 people
Price: €120 per person

“Mural Masters Walking Tour”

Focus: Artist stories and technique explanations
Duration: 4 hours
Locations: Yeldeğirmeni district intensive exploration
Includes: Professional photography tips, artist contact information
Price: €65 per person

“Underground & Overground Art Experience”

Unique Feature: Metro station art + street murals
Duration: 6 hours
Transportation: Includes metro day pass
Special Access: Behind-the-scenes artist studios
Price: €85 per person

🗺️ DIY Street Art Resources

Downloadable Mapping Tools

“Complete Istanbul Street Art Map Package”

Includes:
- GPS coordinates for 150+ murals
- Artist information and backstories
- Photography angle recommendations
- Public transport connections
- Café and rest stop suggestions
Format: PDF + Google Maps links
Languages: English, Turkish, German
Price: €15 download

“Neighborhood-Specific Guides”

Kadıköy Deep Dive: 50+ locations with detailed walking routes
Karaköy Hidden Gems: Shop shutter art and secret walls
Balat Cultural Context: Art within historic neighborhood framework
Price: €8 each or €20 for all three

“Street Art Photography Challenge Kit”

50 Photo Mission List: Specific compositions and challenges
Technical Settings Guide: Camera settings for different lighting
Social Media Templates: Optimized layouts for Instagram
Artist Contact Directory: For permission and collaboration requests
Price: €12 download

🎨 Interactive Art Experiences

“Meet the Artist Workshops”

Activity: Work alongside active Istanbul street artists
Duration: Half day
Posizione: Rotating artist studios
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Take Home: Your own collaborative piece
Price: €95 per person

“Legal Wall Sessions”

Experience: Paint your own mural on designated legal walls
Duration: 3 hours
Includes: All materials, basic technique instruction
Locations: Kadıköy and Karaköy designated areas
Certificate: Street art workshop completion
Price: €75 per person

📱 Digital Street Art Experiences

“AR Street Art Hunt”

Technology: Augmented reality app with exclusive content
Features: Hidden artist messages, historical timeline overlays
Interactive: Vote for favorite pieces, leave digital comments
Duration: Self-paced, 2-6 hours
Price: €10 app purchase

“Virtual Artist Interviews”

Access: Video interviews with 15+ Istanbul street artists
Languages: Subtitles in 8 languages
Bonus Content: Time-lapse creation videos
Format: Streaming platform access
Price: €18 for 30-day access

📧 Contact & Booking Information

Street Art Tours Istanbul

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +90 532 XXX XXXX
Website: www.istanbulstreetarttours.com

Digital Downloads

Platform: www.istanbulartmaps.com
Instant Download: Automated delivery system
Customer Support: Available in English and Turkish

Workshop Bookings

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +90 212 XXX XXXX
Advance Booking: Recommended 48 hours minimum

🎁 Special Packages & Offers

“Street Art & Culture Combo”

Combine: Street art tour + traditional Turkish art workshop
Duration: 2 days
Includes: Accommodation recommendations, meal vouchers
Discount: 25% off individual prices

“Photographer’s Paradise Package”

Includes: All digital maps, guided tour, printing vouchers
Bonus: Professional portfolio review session
Perfect For: Serious photography enthusiasts
Total Value: €200+ / Package Price: €150

“Student & Backpacker Discounts”

Street Art Tours: 30% off with valid student ID
Digital Maps: 50% off for hostel guests
Group Bookings: 15% off for 4+ people

Istanbul’s street art scene is constantly evolving – just like the city itself. These walls tell the stories of a metropolis where East meets West, tradition meets rebellion, and every surface has the potential to become a canvas for dreams, protests, and pure artistic expression.

Ready to discover the artistic soul of Istanbul painted across two continents? Start your street art adventure today and become part of this living, breathing urban gallery.