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
This is a must see if you ever visit Istanbul. It’s a really, really long street with hundreds of boutiques, many international brands. There are a lot of good restaurants here and it’s close to Taksim Square. Can’t remember how many times I’ve walked that street, up and down.
istiklal is very interesting street. because you can always find fun around istiklal. yes, it’s very noisy but still lovely!
ps: if you are in istanbul on rainy day, run to Istiklal. you will like to be there….
Whenever in Istanbul you will have to go over here. It is amazing how many different things can be found and how lively the street is. Can’t help asking yourself ”where the hell all those people go” and than start doing the same. Most shops and brand you will probably need are here, lots of restaurants and cafes but also Istanbul day&night life. Old tram going in the middle give special feeling as well.
A street to walk over and over again. And when you get tired cross it on one of those antique tramms. Buy anything you like, eat anything you like, everything is there.
Even though its busy almost all day long and very very crowded, u have to walk carefully so u dont bump into people. but this place has a variety of things, lots of shops for clothes and accessories shopping, a couple of gift shops and lots of sweet shops that sell Turkish delight and chocolate bars and such. also it has some of the nicest restaurants that i’ve been to.
It’s a great district without cars access, so just lots of people walking across. There are many brand shops, wide range of cafes and two churches. If you turn to a small neigbor street you will find lots of small shops with all Turkish products and souvenirs. I highly recommend you to try fresh pomegranate juice, it’s so unforgettable! This street is located between Fish market at Bosphorus Bridge and Taksim Square, so wherever you start or finish your walk you’ll find interesting points.
When in Istanbul, don’t miss going to Istiklal Street, it’s a street closed to vehicular traffic, except for the old historic tram (ride from the Tunnel to Taksim Square). Experience the day to day life of the local people just having a great time walking on the street meeting friends, shopping on the great shops, savour cheaper street food or at the high-end restaurants, watch street performers, a place for people watching / observing. I never tire myself walking on this street from the Tunnel all the way to Taksim Square.
I highly recommend anyone to see / walk on Istiklal Street.
It’s my favorite spot in beautiful Istanbul, it’s full of life, so busy at day time, and completely different at night, when dozens of young people gather. Never miss visiting Istiqlal if you’re in city, plus try to spend some time at weekends, you’d love it.
For shoppers, you’ll have your choice of the familiar flagship stores that you would find at home, but unless you actually want to shop it’s a mystery to me why anyone would want to go to Istiklal Street. It’s teeming with people that jostle their way down and back up again with no apparent purpose. There are few worthy tourist landmarks and barely any places to eat unless you get off the main drag onto the quieter side streets.