Police fired tear gas at the demonstrators who attempted to force their way through a road block on the European side of the city to approach "NATO valley" -the complex of hotels and conference centres where the summit is being held on Monday.
Several police and protesters were reported injured.
Demonstrators, wearing helmets, gas masks and armed with slings, threw petrol bombs, stones and sticks at the police.
Police attempted to break up the demonstration, using armored vehicles and spraying water at the protesters.
The protester overturned at least six cars in the neighbourhood, breaking their windows.
A police officer was seen kicking and hitting a demonstrator with a truncheon.
About 1,500 officers, in riot gear with plastic shields, were deployed in the area as helicopters over flew the district. The leaders at the summit include US President George Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac.
Warplanes patrolling
Turkey dramatically boosted security before Bush's arrival and in preparation for the NATO summit.
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Ankara deployed extra security for world leaders |