“Zero problems with neighbours” has been Turkish foreign policy for more than a decade. But as the region shudders with Syria’s descent into civil war, Turkey’s influence in the old haunts of the Ottoman Empire has been…
The Karaköy neighbourhood of Istanbul is poised on the brink of significant change as a major development project seeks to revitalise its port area, bringing hotels, shopping, residences and a resultant flow of tourists to…
First-timers to Ginza will be struck by its impressive department stores and glossy luxury labels. But head to the back streets and this area offers a riveting mix of exceptional bars, galleries and small shops. This was…
From Dutch bread-making philanthropists to a pioneering food co-op in the heart of London, vernacular retail is thriving. Even an established supermarket giant is getting in on the local act.
Harajuku is a neighbourhood of contrasts, home to the Meiji Shrine, which is surrounded by one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces, and a dense network of small streets packed with shops and cafés. Aoyama attracts a more grown…
With any luck you’ll spot a sumo wrestler out and about in Ryogoku, the riverside neighbourhood that is home to Kokugikan, Tokyo’s distinctive sumo stadium. Across the water is Kuramae, another old neighbourhood that has…
This historic corner of northeast Tokyo was once described as a place for “universities, bookshops and intellectuals”. Academic institutions are still there – along with the Holy Resurrection Cathedral – but Kanda is also…
Nihonbashi has deep roots in finance. In the Edo period this was the commercial centre of the city, with bustling canals, streets and markets. Recently, the neighbourhood has been attracting attention once again as exciting…
Yanaka moves at a different pace from much of Tokyo. As the city has changed around it, Yanaka has retained its old-fashioned atmosphere. Vacant wooden buildings have been brought back to life as new businesses such as…
Do you want to visit the heart of Athens but steer clear of the tourist traps? Take a walk around Petralona, Koukaki and Filopappou to discover the best areas of the capital according to Athenians themselves.
Hong Kong’s east side is a former industrial neighbourhood undergoing a renaissance. We explore the warehouses that are now home to stores, galleries and innovative start-ups moving away from downtown.
As part of a series on neighbourhoods in transition, Monocle visits Candelaria in Bogotá. The oldest part of Colombia's capital is unique in that it's home to a mix of social classes and more and more people are moving here…
