Experience the Energy of İstiklal Street

İstiklal Street runs from Taksim Square down toward the Galata Tower, and it is Istanbul's busiest pedestrian avenue. The street is lined with historic buildings, shops, art galleries, and places to eat at every price point, from street food to white tablecloths. A nostalgic red tram still runs the full length of it. The covered 19th-century passages off the main street, such as Çiçek Pasajı and Atlas Passage, reward a detour. After dark the crowds shift toward the bars and music venues of the side streets, and the avenue stays loud well into the night.

What to see on İstiklal

• The nostalgic red tram running between Taksim and Tünel.
• Historic passages: Çiçek Pasajı with its meyhanes, and the Atlas and Hazzopulo passages.
• Churches and embassies: St. Anthony of Padua, the largest Catholic church in Istanbul, and grand 19th-century consulate buildings.
• Museums and galleries: the Pera Museum and art spaces in the side streets.
• Food: ıslak burger in Taksim, roasted chestnuts, Turkish delight shops and side-street meyhanes.

Tips

• Watch your belongings: the street is very crowded, especially in the evening and at weekends.
• Explore the side streets of Cihangir, Asmalımescit and Galata for cafés and bars.
• Getting there: M2 metro to Taksim, or the funicular from Kabataş; the historic Tünel funicular links the lower end with Karaköy.

What’s nearby

Continue to the Galata Bridge, try an ıslak burger in Taksim, or read our where to stay in Istanbul guide.

Photos: Antoine Taveneaux, CC BY-SA 3.0; Alexey Komarov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons