Istiklal Street is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul. Walk through Istiklal Street approximately two-kilometer long, pedestrian-only avenue on the European side of the city acts as the heart of the shopping, entertainment, nightlife district of Beyoglu, with an endless variety of both local and international stores, bookshops, cafes, restaurants, meyhane, food stalls, chestnut vendors, bakeries, bars, clubs, shisha cafes, tea houses and so much more lining both the street itself as well as the dozens of tiny lanes that branch off on both sides.
Walk through Istiklal Street, surrounded by late Ottoman Era buildings (mostly from the 19th and early 20th centuries) that were designed with the Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance Revival, Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau and First Turkish National Architecture styles; as well as a few Art Deco style buildings from the early years of the Turkish Republic, and a number of more recent examples of modern architecture; starts from the medieval Genoese neighbourhood around Galata Tower and ultimately leads up to Taksim Square which lies at one end of Istiklal Street.
In the late 19th century, this major street was known as the Grande Rue de Pera, and it carried the life of the modern city up and down its lively promenade. It’s still the centre of İstanbullu life, and a stroll along its length is a must. Come between 4pm and 8pm daily, especially on Friday and Saturday and you’ll see Istiklal Street at its busiest best.
About halfway along Istiklal Street is the Galatasaray Lycée, founded in 1868 by Sultan Abdül Aziz (r 1861–76) as a school where students were taught in French as well as Turkish. Today it’s a prestigious public school.
Close by is the Cité de Pera building, home to the famous Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage). When the Orient Express rolled into Old Istanbul and promenading down İstiklal Caddesi was all the rage, the Cité de Pera building was the most glamorous address in town. Built in 1876 and decorated in Second Empire style, it housed a shopping arcade as well as apartments. As Pera declined, so too did the building, its stylish shops giving way to florists and then to meyhanes, where enthusiastic revellers caroused the night away. In the late 1970s parts of the building collapsed; once rebuilt, the passage was ‘beautified’ and its raffish charm was lost. These days locals bypass the touts and mediocre food on offer here, and make their way behind the passage to one of İstanbul’s most colourful and popular eating precincts, Nevizade Sokak.
Next to the Çiçek Pasajı you’ll find Şahne Sokak and Beyoğlu’s Balık Pazar (Fish Market), with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, pickles and other produce. Leading off the Balık Pazar you’ll find the neoclassical Avrupa Pasajı (European Passage), a small gallery with marble paving and shops selling tourist wares and some antique goods; as well as the Aslıhan Pasajı, a two-storey arcade bursting at the seams with secondhand books.
Walk through Istiklal Street Taksim-Istanbul
If u want to experience an overcrowded place, go to Istiklal Street! Also is an very interesting place to be, almost 3 km, with lots of historical buildings and shops. Is nicer in the spring and summer, with the sun over your head. Don’ t miss Cicek Passage! Iconic!