At the northern end of Akbıyık Caddesi("Avenue of the White Moustache," also called Yeni Akbıyık Caddesi, ) are the Topkapı Palace walls, a ruined Ottoman hamam(Turkish bath), and a small mosque with (unfortunately) a particularly loud loudspeaker system. Toward the south are ruins of the Byzantine Magnaura Palace.
Obviously, this is a street with some history, and not just an old man's moustache!
It has several hotels in a range of prices, a few of the inevitable carpet shops, several bakkal(grocer's) shops, and a good travel agency: Efendi Travel at No. 22 which caters to travelers of all budgets with great, value-for-money off-the-beaten-track city tours, and a fine airport transfer service. More...
Although there is some traffic on the street, it has been beautified with patterned paving blocks and greenery, and is quite attractive.
Numerous cafes, bars and restaurants put tables and chairs out into the street, making for an interesting sipping, dining, strolling and people-watching scene on warm (and even cool) evenings.
In many ways, though, Akbıyık Caddesi is the heart of this part of the Sultanahmet hotel district (see map below).
Compare Rates