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
Lots of shops, cafés and restaurants. Bustling night and day, however at night you can find street performers an buskers adding to the atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit especially in the evening!
A neat way to do some window shopping and some real shopping (don’t miss some of the markets that run off on a side street) and see everyone and their mother out and about. Many of the buildings have a european flair. don’t miss st. anthony’s. also, the dervis museum is on this street. lots of western stores but still a lot to look at and enjoy.
This is basicaly a large pedestrian shopping street where you can get almost everything you can think of. There are a lot of small streets next to it which house literally dozens of restaurants so there are ample opportunities to get some good food as well.
A nice way to do it is to walk up and then take the tram down, a short trip but very enjoyable.
I would recommend taking a stroll down istiklal street around evening time as it would be nice and cool around that time. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and carry some water, and start your walk from taksim all the way down to galata tower. Another option would be to start your walk in the late afternoon and end up at galata tower around sunset to enjoy the view from the top of the tower as the comes down on this beautiful city. ( shops in this area cost a little more so i wouldnt recommend doing all your shopping here… maybe just a few items).
Very nice pedestrian street. Full of shops and restaurants of all kinds. Always crowded but enjoyable.
Istiklal Street tells a lot about Istanbul’s history and diversity. There are tons of great cafes and galleries on this street. Just take the subway to Taksim and walk down the avenue until you reach Galata.
This street is a must see. Start at the Taksim (square) and make your way down. However early risers beware: shops don’t open until 10am!
The street is full of small eateries and great shops. If you enjoy walking you can walk all the way down to Sultanahmet which will take a couple of hours depending on your speed.
The street is pram friendly but not if you want to walk down to sultanahmet. We managed with our pram but there were a lot of steps.
As a tourist you cant help but feel overwhelmed by everything that is going on. Still its interesting to walk up and down and seethe stores and restaurants..and there are aome great places to eat, especially if you go off the strip a little ways.
This street is always busy during day and night. During the day you can enjoy the walk and shopping in the hundreds of shops selling Turkish delights and many restaurants and cafes. Semeet, corn, and chestnut are everywhere selling in small cars. There are many small streets along Istiklal full of restaurants and shops.
It is excellent for shopping, very cheap prices, nice restaurants, but a bit dirty. There are a lot of local shops and street musicians all along the street.