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
I expected more of this street. It is nice to have seen it and take a strolll ( it is always busy) or take the tram and look at all the people but haven’t seen anything special. Visit it for the street experience, not particularly for the shops.
Typical shopping street with international brands mixed with turkish (especially shoes). Fried chestnuts and crowds morning till night, lots of waterpipe bars on the side streets.
This lovely pedestrian street boasts modern stores, including a mall, street musicians, and restaurants. Start at the top, late in the afternoon, and wind your way down to the Galata tower at dusk.
a very big street full of shops and people walking up and down…the little wagon that goes around is very beautiful.this is the real modern turkey, i think. this is how they live.
The heart of modern Istanbul with vide varieties of top brand shops music stores and video games and bookstores … In addition to several restaurants ranging from fast food chains to Turkish restaurants … Excellent for passing time after visiting old Istanbul in the morning .. Also easily accessible by all public transportation.
It was interesting to see just how ‘westernised’ urban Turkey has become with high street stores, Starbucks, McDonalds and the rest of the global brands. The thousands of people on the street was testament to how the retail experience is a universal phenomenon.
But really, this could be anywhere in the world. The side streets have more local colour and occasional glimpses of the Bosphorus.
It is amazing to walk on this street. Look at all the nice stores and even shop at many. The Tram in the middle of the street is interesting to try. It is a crowded place. A nice mall in the middle is worth going around. many nice cafes and restaurants. Fish restaurants at the end of the street in small alleys.
Great to say you were their but nothing special, although the tram is really cool. Shops are nice but much like at home.
Be careful as their are confidence tricksters at work. If someone approaches you and begins to make small talk, tell them to go away. Do not give them any information about your self, not even nationality. They May follow you to lunch, dinner, supper, a pub etc and will pay. They say you say the next round, but they insist on taking you to a different pub. Once the drinks are down, they disappear and your left with a bill that could be in the thousands of euro.
The shopping is much calmer and peaceful here. It is a very long street and you would easily spend hours. We usually walked the way when starting and cab on the way back. Overall very good experience.
I believe you shall go twice, one by morning to take a look at the modern side of IST, and another by night so you understand how crazy it goes. Really crowded!