Tarlabaşi

Tarlabaşi is Istanbul's most dangerous area with high crime rates. Avoid it completely, especially at night. If you absolutely have to pass through, take a taxi - don't walk.

Tarlabaşi is the area everyone warns you about, and they're right to. Despite some attempted urban renewal, it's still got serious safety problems with visible drug activity, especially after dark. The side streets have poor lighting and abandoned buildings that are used for illegal activities. Police patrols are rare compared to tourist areas. If you somehow end up needing to pass through - maybe walking from Taksim to a hotel - only do it during daylight hours on the main boulevard and keep everything valuable hidden. Better yet, just take a taxi. Don't walk here at night under any circumstances. The area has real problems that affect everyone living there, but as a tourist, your best strategy is simply to avoid it completely.