SALT Galata

This cultural venue in trendy Galata is a magnet for art lovers and students who come to work and socialise in the casual café. The gallery displays contemporary art, while the Ottoman Bank Museum offers insights into life in the Ottoman era. In addition to a research library, there is a 200-seat auditorium with a busy cultural programme. If that's not enough, you can browse the bookstore, dine in the sophisticated Neolokal restaurant and linger on the terrace admiring the city views. The building once housed the Ottoman Bank, and its thick, polished walls add to the feeling of a peaceful bubble amid Istanbul's bustle.