Nestled between the Aya Sofia and the Topkapi Palace, lies a small cobblestoned street often overlooked by visitors to Istanbul.
Sogukçesme Sokagi or Cold Fountain Street as it is more commonly known, is named after a fountain at the Gülhane Park end of the street. If you’re coming from the Eminönu and Sirkec, the park is on your left as you follow the tram tracks towards Sultanahmet.
This quiet street is lined with beautiful trees and restored historic wooden houses built in the 19th and early 20th centuries backing on to the walls of the Topkapi Palace. Thankfully no cars are allowed to disturb this unspoilt corner of the city.
As you walk past the shops that occupy the ground floor of the first few houses you will come across the Sarnic Restaurant on the left. If you can, pop in and have a look at it’s glorious setting in an early Byzantine cistern.
In 1986 the Touring and Automobile Federation restored most of these two and three story houses and converted them to small hotels and restaurants. Known as the Ayasofya Konaklari (The Hagia Sofia Mansions) this group of nine houses are named after flowers whose perfume fills in the spring time…Magnolia House, Jasmine House, Honeysuckle House….
One of the buildings has been converted into a cultural centre and the other the Istanbul Kitapligi (Library).
Walk to the end of the street and you will find yourself at the gates of the Topkapi Palace, another of Istanbul’s wonderful palaces that has to be seen.
This is one of my favourite streets in Istanbul, one that I love to return to. A quiet gem in a city of hustle and bustle.
Have you found this street in Istanbul?Â
Related articles on Istanbul
Istanbul’s Aya Sofia Museum
Rüstem Pasha: My favourite Mosque in Istanbul
Tuesday Travel Bite: The Best Pistachio Biscuits
This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Don’t forget to pop over and see the other contributions.
Istanbul's Hidden Street
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Not yet, but I love traveling vicariously with you. Adding more places to my “bucket list” all the time. This certainly is a gem!
It is a wonderful little street Karene. Whenever I’m out walking with out a specific destination in mind, I nearly always end up here! I do hope you’re able to visit Istanbul one day. You’d love it!
My goodness, if you had not told me, I would never have guessed those wooden houses were part of Istanbul. In fact, I’d have guessed New Zealand, where we saw similar houses in Wellington.
They really could be anywhere in the world couldn’t it Vera. Though I do vaguely remember reading some very descriptive passages of wooden houses in Orhan Pamuk’s book, Istanbul, Memories of a city. An enlightening read.
I cannot wait to get to Istanbul, and I just love your photographs and descriptions of the Cold Fountain Street. The cafes and houses are so beautiful.
I know you’re going to love Istanbul Jan. Make sure you go here on your way to the Topkapi Palace. When do you leave?
I will make it a point to look for this place the next time we are in Istanbul, I don’t think I’ve ever found this information in the guidebooks, so will be keeping this post as well! Nice photos and great info.
Even though it was early December, it was a stunning day and there was hardly anyone in the street!It’s hard to believe it’s not well known being that it is situated between two of Istanbul’s iconic tourist sites! A nice way to start a visit to bustling Sultanahmet.
how lovely! I can hardly believe it is in Instanbul. These streets look like they belong in UK or US. I have never been to Instanbul, but it is on my list, and now that I have joined Travel Photo Thursday I can travel virtually. Thanks for taking me to Instanbul and for commenting on my blog today.
It’s great to see you here Jill. They are certainly not your typical home in todays’ Istanbul. It’s a fabulous city- I hope that one day you can visit.
The cafes and houses are stunning, and I would not have thought they were in Istanbul. As you say, a quiet gem of a street. I’d love to visit and as always your photos tempt me to buy an airline ticket pronto!
I love this little street in Istanbul. I think I need to go back to see if there are any more wooden houses in another area.Coming Jo?
I love walking and hanging out on cobble-stoned streets and this one is a beauty. What a great find and like everyone else has stated, a surprise to find it in Istanbul given its architecture.This does look very much like a street I would find in the Pacific NW in the USA.
I’m yet to vist the Pacific NW but a couple of people have mentioned it…it must be a beautiful area. I probably should have included a photo I found of the houses before they were restored.There were no trees in the street then, just the rickety old houses backing onto the Palace walls. Quite beautiful really.
Great found, very beautiful place 🙂
Thanks Lili. It is certainly a beautiful part of Istanbul.
Like many, I wouldn’t have guessed Istanbul from these photos. Would love to stay in a small hotel on this street (that I had never heard of). So quaint and pretty.
Even though I’ve walked this street quite a few times, I’m yet to pop my head inside one of the hotels. I must do this on my next visit!
Seeing those photos I would not have imagined that street to be in Istanbul. Thanks for sharing!
Pleasure Kymri. It is hard to imagine it’s in Istanbul which is why it’s such a beautiful little street, one not to be missed if ever you visit.
I can see why you like this street! I’ve not been to Istanbul but love to find these type of out of the way areas and will look this one up when I do visit.
Funnily enough, this street is in the heart of the tourist precinct, right between the Aya Sofia and the Topkapi Palace, yet it is not seen by many people. You’d love Istanbul Debbie with all its history.
This street is so lovely — what a wonderful find. Can I see myself sitting at an outside table at the cafe? Absolutely. Sogukçesme Sokagi in Istanbul now on the list.
Thanks Cathy. Yes it’s a little oasis in the mayhem of Sultanahmet, worthy of a visit.
This street looks so out of place here, so at odds with the images I have of Istanbul, I thought I’d missed something.
Great find! I’ll have to add Istanbul to my list so I can check it out.
Yes, add Istanbul to your list, Marcia. It is a fabulous city. gret sights, great food and and interesting history.
How marvellously atmospheric!! Everything about your trip has been a delight to read!! Especially the chocolate 🙂
Thanks Red. Istanbul is one of my favourite cities. I love finding little places such as this in my travels.
We love walking down this street – a break from the noisy traffic and so so pretty in the process. We’ve heard that the main road is going to be closed to coaches etc at some point because it’s disturbing the foundations of the Yerebatan Sarnıcı. Wonder if it will happen…? Great photos. 🙂
Julia
That’s interesting to hear Julia. It’s hard to imagine that it’s just the coaches but I suppose if the main road is closed then Sogukçesme Sokagi will become very popular as the route to the Topkapi Palace
First picture with “Sarnic Restaurant” made me smile…It was our wedding party there at 1991…Once upon a time…
How gorgeous Selcuk. I’m pleased that I could bring back some lovely memories for you. Have you been back since then? Thanks for visiting>
I love this street, Jenny, but I’ve never gone into the Sarnic Restaurant. I definitely will go next time I’m in Istanbul. Another semi-hidden gem in that area that I love is the Cucuk Aya Sofya. It has a lovely courtyard and interesting artisan shops. I’m sure you’ve been?
Hi Justine. Great of you to stop by. Yes I have been to those cute little shops though interestingly I found the traders a bit more pushy this year than the last couple of times I have been there.I wonder if this was because I was on my own! Enjoy your next trip to Istanbul.
Hi Jenny, Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. I was there more than 10 years ago and I definitely plan to revisit soon. When I do, I will surely check out this charming hidden street. Thanks for the tip!
It’s a great city isn’t it, Marisol. The one big difference you’ll notice is the traffic.It’s crazy now! I’m will be trying to get back again this year too!
When I picture a historic street in Istanbul, I expect buildings made of stone, not wood. This is a refreshing surprise! These hotels sound like they’re in a great location between two major attractions. I wonder what the interiors look like.
Yes, it’s very different to what you imagine isn’t it Michele. I tried to see the rooms in one hotel the trip before this one, but unfortunately the hotel was fully booked so it was a bit tricky!Maybe next time!
The buildings out there are so beautiful !! Never been before, but going there some day 😉
Istanbul is a fabulous city Marco, I recommend it to everyone!
Looking at those photos I wouldn’t have guessed Istanbul in a million years but what a charming little street. I’d love to stay in one of those charming, conveniently located hotels.
It really is a little oasis in this busy tourist area! I tried unsuccessfully to see in the hotels on my last visit..maybe next time!
I have actually walked this street numerous times, but I didn’t have any background on it. You are right, it is particularly lovely!! And your photos are stunning!!
I spent nearly three months wandering around Turkey a few years ago and have actually wandered down this street. Nice to know some of its history.
Three months in Turkey would have been fabulous Eric. I’m sure you didn’t want to leave! I’m happy to have filled in a little bit of history on this great street for you!
Lovely street to walk up much nicer than the ones by a road. We found this street on our 2nd visit to Istanbul. We didn’t visit topkapi palace the first time.
We also found some lovely streets 8n the beyoglu area. (We stayed in a hotel a street away from Istikal Cadessi
At the side of the funicular down from beyoglu to the galata bridge r windy cobbled streets. We found music shops and at the bottom what we termed the hardware quarter. Wheels, rope, tools, power tools. You name it!
Also round the edges of thd grand bazaar are the clothes quarter. Haberdashery quarter, jewellery on windy cobbled streets.
We have been there twice and would go back in a heartbeat. Tne food is amazing and we got a taste for raki. Turkish tea is an acquired taste though.