Istiklal Avenue or Istiklal Street is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul, runs from Taksim Square nearly all the way to the landmark Galata Tower. Although it is the beating heart of the city, the three million people that pass it every day. The most important monument in Taksim Square is the Independence Monument (Istiklal Aniti in Turkish), at the beginning of Istiklal pedestrian street.
About This Article
Things to see in Taksim and around Istiklal Avenue
Shopping in Taksim
Where to stay in Taksim
How to get to Taksim from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Is it Safe?
Things to see in Taksim and around Istiklal Avenue
1 - Galata Convent of Whirling Dervishes (Galata Mevlevihanesi in Turkish) looks spectacular after the reforms completed in 2011. Inside, a large number of pieces of interest are exhibited, including manuscripts, poems from the literature of the Divan, musical instruments as well as many objects of the daily life of the dervishes.
2 - Galata Tower dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic vista of Istanbul's historic peninsula and its environs.
3 - Pera Museum, is an art museum in the Tepebaşı quarter of the Beyoğlu (Pera) district in Istanbul, Turkey, located at Meşrutiyet Avenue.
Official Site : https://www.peramuseum.org/
4 - S. Antonio di Padova Catholic Church, is a basilica and the largest church of the Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul, Turkey.
5 - Cezayir Street, Better known as Fransız Sokağı or La Rue Française, i.e. "French Street", is an alley of statues and geraniums hanging from windows, featuring France-themed restaurants, cafes, and pubs housed in renovated and brightly-painted neo-classical buildings.
6 - Museum of Innocence (Masumiyet Müzesi), is a museum in a 19th-century house in Istanbul created by novelist Orhan Pamuk as a companion to his novel The Museum of Innocence.
Shooping in Taksim
Shopping experience of all kind of tastes and budget Taksim and its quarters are a shopping oasis. Istiklal Avenue, which starts from Taksim Square and leads down to historical subway system called "Tünel", is a pedestrian street where you can find all fashion styles from all well-known global brands in flamboyant boutiques.
Istklal Avenue is full of shops. Pretty much one after another, for 1.5 km. Turkish clothing and shoes stores: KOTON, OXXO, MAVI, LC Waikiki, Hotic, Bambi, Flower, Inci.
There is also wonderful store with house decoration items - Pasabahce. You will also find other international stores like Zara, Levi's, Bereshka and many others are waiting for you.
Taksim addresses all kinds of tastes in terms of shopping. Its second-hand booksellers and antique shops in Cukurcuma and Tunel invite you to the tastes of the past.
And there is also Nisantasi. It is another quarter of Taksim just a subway station away. This is Istanbul's "Mecca of fashion". All high-end brands have boutiques in Nisantasi and its neighboring district called Tesvikiye. If you are a shopping lover, you should visit this paradise of fashion.
Where to stay in Taksim
Taksim ( it is also called Beyoglu ) area is where most of the good/legendary nightlife is! There are many areas in Beyoglu which are all walkable from the Istiklal Street and Taksim Square.
Taksim is home to Dolmabahçe Palace, the Galata area with its famous tower, Istiklal Caddesi, etc. But the area is mostly known for its cozy neighborhoods (i.e. Cihangir, Galata), wide array of restaurants and cafés, and famous Istanbul night life. Beyoğlu is basically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nişantaşı is next door so to speak, and shopping centers are only a metro ride away.
How to get to Taksim from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport
There are three options for getting from Istanbul Airport to Taksim or Sultanahmet – shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer. The most budget-friendly option is the Havabus shuttle bus, and the most comfortable and convenient option is a private transfer, though it costs significantly higher.
Is it Safe?
Generally, it is safe to walk around in this district, even by night, though crossing the Tarlabaşı Boulevard (Tarlabaşı Bulvarı) towards the dilapidated quarter of Tarlabaşı to the west of Beyoğlu/Istiklal Avenue wouldn't certainly be wise after the night falls. Some other parts of this district also have some crime issues.
A rule of thumb to follow would be to look for young people around having fun, which suggests that you are more likely in an OK zone.Taksim Square and Istiklal Street there are always (7/24) police officers and security cameras.
Comments