Istiklal Avenue, the pedestrian street running from Taksim Square to Tunel, together with the streets around it, is one of the most visited areas of Istanbul. Known as Pera in the 19th century, this district carries the city's many-layered past into the present with its embassy buildings, arcades, churches and cultural venues. In this post we have gathered the main sights you can see along a walking route that starts at the Taksim end of the avenue and heads towards Tunel.
Taksim Square and its surroundings
The starting point of the route is Taksim Square. The symbol of the square is the Republic Monument, unveiled in 1928. On one side of the square, the rebuilt Ataturk Cultural Center hosts opera, ballet and concerts; on the other stands Taksim Mosque. Gezi Park, just behind the square, is a good place for a short break before you set off.
The Taksim end of the avenue
Hagia Triada Church
The Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church, located very close to the square, is an impressive building whose dome can be spotted from a distance. As visiting hours can change, we recommend checking in advance if you want to see the interior.
The nostalgic tram
The red-and-white nostalgic tram runs along the avenue between Taksim and Tunel and is one of the most photographed symbols of Istiklal. On a day when you do not feel like walking, you can ride the length of the avenue by tram.
The middle section of the avenue
Arcades and the Fish Market
One of the most distinctive features of Istiklal is its arcades. The most famous is Cicek Pasaji, a 19th-century building known for its taverns and restaurants. The Balik Pazari (Fish Market) streets, entered right next to the arcade, are one of the most colourful corners of Beyoglu with fresh produce, delicatessens and street food. Nevizade Street, known for its meyhanes, is also in this area for dinner.
Galatasaray and its surroundings
Towards the middle of the avenue you come to the gate of Galatasaray High School, known for its long history. This is one of the busiest points on the avenue and home to many cafes, bookshops and record shops opening onto the side streets.
St. Anthony of Padua Church
Located on the stretch of the avenue near Tunel, St. Anthony of Padua Church, with its neo-Gothic facade, is one of the most architecturally striking buildings on Istiklal.
Art and culture stops
Istiklal Avenue and its surroundings are also one of the centres of Istanbul's art scene. The Pera Museum on Mesrutiyet Avenue is known for its Orientalist painting collection and changing exhibitions. SALT Beyoglu on the avenue and the exhibition spaces of various cultural institutions offer programmes that will enrich your trip. We recommend checking current exhibition calendars on the institutions' own websites before your visit.
Tunel, Galata and beyond
At the end of the avenue is the Beyoglu station of the historic Tunel, known as one of the oldest underground funicular lines in the world. From here you can walk down Galip Dede Street to see the Galata Mevlevi Lodge and then Galata Tower. The view from the tower's observation deck, stretching over the Golden Horn, the historic peninsula and the Bosphorus, is the finest reward of the route. If you want to keep walking, at the bottom of the hill you reach Karakoy's waterfront, art galleries and ferry pier.
Experiencing the route at different times of day
The character of Istiklal Avenue changes noticeably during the day. In the morning, as the shops open, the avenue is calm and it is easier to notice the architectural details on the facades. In the afternoon the crowds grow, and street musicians and shop windows add their own liveliness. In the evening the restaurants and meyhanes in the side streets start to fill up. If you are staying in Taksim, you can walk the same route at different times and see all three faces of the avenue.
Taking breaks along the route
You will not be short of options for a break while walking Istiklal Avenue. Some of the historic arcades on either side have small cafes, bookshops and second-hand booksellers, good refuges for getting away from the crowds for a moment. Street food such as simit, roasted chestnuts and corn is handy for snacking on the go. For a longer lunch you can choose the traditional restaurants around the Fish Market, and in the evening the meyhanes around Nevizade and Asmalimescit. Sitting at one of the cafes around Galata Tower at the end of the walk and enjoying the view is also a lovely way to round off the day.
Practical tips for exploring Istiklal
- The avenue gets very crowded in the evenings and at weekends. If you want to see museums and churches, choose the morning.
- Wear comfortable shoes; although the main avenue is relatively flat, the side streets and the way to Galata are hilly.
- Keep your bag and phone close in the crowds.
- Rather than doing the whole route in one day, splitting it into two half-days can be more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Istiklal Avenue and its surroundings make one of the best Istanbul routes to explore on foot. Staying in Taksim lets you come back to this route at a different time every day. You can find other places near our hotel in the nearby places section of our home page and accommodation options on our rooms page. For the other advantages of staying in Beyoglu, see this post, and for any questions about planning your route, you can contact us.
