Istiklal Street in Istanbul is considered the “heart of the city” and one of the most popular - at least 3 million people pass along it every day. In Turkish, the name sounds like Istiklal Caddesi, which literally means “independence” in Persian. It is always crowded and noisy here: during the day there are many tourists and shopaholics, in the evening there are partygoers and nightclub regulars. The boomerang street begins at Taksim Square in the European part of the city, in the Beyoglu district, which is surrounded by the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn Bay.

The first inhabitants of Istiklal appeared at the end of the 15th century, but the area developed rapidly during the time of Suleiman the First. Following the Muslims, Europeans began to settle on the street several centuries ago. They not only built houses for their families, but also opened shops. By the way, today the street is considered one of the best for shopping. Boutiques of the world's largest brands, cozy cafes, popular clubs and discos, fashionable restaurants and hotels are located here. There are also consulates of many countries, including Russia, located on the street. The symbol of the pedestrian street is the authentic Nostalgia tram, which first set off back in 1871.

By the way, in addition to the street, there is the Istiklal Mosque of the same name, but it is not in Istanbul, but in Jakarta, on the island of Java, and is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. 🙂

Istiklal Street on the map of Istanbul

Istiklal Street is located in Istanbul in the Beyoglu district north of the Golden Horn. The street starts from Taksim Square and goes south towards the Golden Horn Bay.

How to get to Istiklal on your own

There are at least three ways to get there.

1. You can get to the southern part of the street adjacent to the high-speed tram to the Karakoy stop, and from there walk up the hill to Galata. In order to enter the tram, you need to buy tokens, they are sold near each stop in vending machines, the cost of one is approximately 2 liras.
2. The northern part, which starts from Taksim Square, can be reached by metro to Taksim station.
3. Buy an excursion. Read about this method below.

Excursions to Istiklal Street - programs, prices, where to buy

Istiklal does not fall asleep for a minute, including thanks to excursions of various themes that are held both at night and during the day. On the street there are iconic Istanbul attractions: the Galata Tower, witness to the arrival of the first inhabitants, the monastery of the Mevlevi dervishes, the oldest metro line, St. Anthony's Cathedral, the central Taksim Square. In addition to historical excursions, guests are offered shopping tours, romantic walks along the evening Istiklal, tastings of local specialties, master classes on folk crafts, and cooking lessons.

You will find a large number of interesting excursions to Istiklal Street on the tourism portal. We recommend it to everyone, because... They themselves have used his services many times, and not only in Istanbul. In our selection we present three of the most interesting and rich author’s programs on Istiklal.

Top 3 excursions to Istiklal

• 1st place —

  During a 3-hour walk along the main boulevard of the city, a Russian guide will tell you about the history of the area, the architectural features of the buildings and the legends of the street. You will see buildings and passages of the 19th century in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, majestic Catholic cathedrals, the most famous cafe, the quarter of antique dealers, the largest art galleries, shops of local designers, and also look into the courtyards and entrances to find the magnificent features of Constructivism and art deco. Be sure to visit Taksim and the Galata Tower, as well as one of the cafes “for locals”, where they will prepare tart tea or traditional Turkish coffee on the sand for you.

  The cost of the excursion is 107€ for 1-3 participants.

• 2nd place —

  To visit the best bars, clubs and discos in Istiklal, it is worth going on a night tour. Being accompanied by a local regular ensures safety and access to the best authentic sites, including the famous 360Istanbul. You will learn about the peculiarities of a night's rest, understand what you should be careful of, where you should not turn, and what offers it is better to refuse. Be sure to try signature cocktails, have a blast at one of the noisy parties or listen to jazz in a popular club. A useful life hack from the guide - instructions “How to relieve a hangover the Turkish way.” In addition to Istiklal, visit the bohemian Kadikoy district, where you can try a cocktail “From Oblomov” or rock out to Turkish rock and roll.

  The cost of the excursion is 124€ for 1-4 partygoers.

• 3rd place —

  The tour will begin from Istiklal Street, where luxury restaurants and inexpensive eateries, cathedrals of all religions and night discos coexist perfectly. You will examine the Galata Tower and learn about Russian emigrants whose fates are connected with Shishkhane. During your further walk around the city, see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkani Palace, stroll through Gulhane Park and admire the views of the Bosphorus while hearing the legend of the Maiden Tower. The end of the excursion will be a cup of excellent coffee/tea or tasting of local hookah (optional), which you can enjoy while the guide tells you about the modern life of the Turks. Finally, the guide will give useful tips on where to buy original souvenirs, how to profitably buy a museum card for independent sightseeing, and where it is better to book a table for dinner.

  The cost of the excursion is 150€ for 1-3 guests.

History of Istiklal Street

Foreigners have long settled in the area of ​​today's Beyoğlu region. This area was called Pera, which means “beyond,” “on the other side.” The fact is that the Genoese, who settled the Galata area, left a nearby hill outside the walls. The forests remained there. But over time, the forests were cut down. And in their places vineyards were planted. After the fortress walls in Galata turned out to be unnecessary, the population began to build houses in Peru. Mostly rich Christians engaged in trade, as well as merchants, moneylenders and bankers settled here.

In 1831 there was a severe fire in Pera. But Pera rebuilt herself. New 5-7 storey houses were built in the European style. Pera's plan also changed. The network of intricate streets and dead ends took on a more logical appearance. And the main artery of the area became Cadde-i-Kibir Street (Turkish “Cadde-i Kebir”, current Istiklal), which translated means “Great Street”. Just like today, the street was lined with expensive hotels, shops, restaurants, banks, and embassies. The street had a completely European appearance and in 1923, after the proclamation of the Turkish Republic and the end of the War of Independence, Cadde-i-Kibir was renamed Istiklal Caddesi, i.e. Independence street.

Istiklal Street today

Today Istiklal is the busiest street in the city, where life is in full swing day and night, without stopping for a minute - from the very early morning the street is filled with all kinds of trucks with new goods for local shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, sellers begin their trade simits, the street is gradually filled with crowds of passers-by - tourists, students, local residents.

In the evening, the already huge number of pedestrians doubles - restaurants and cafes are crowded, fun begins in bars and restaurants, and street musicians come out. The number of bars, cafes, restaurants, meyhanes, nightclubs in the Istiklal area is huge, they are located on the main street and in alleys, simple and chic, overlooking the Bosphorus or the bustling Istiklal, with a varied menu and entertainment programs.

Along the almost 3 km of the street you can find two Catholic cathedrals - the Cathedral of St. Mary and the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua, the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Triad, an American church, an Armenian church, several mosques and synagogues.

You can start spending money in Taksim Square, where the 3-story Demirören shopping center is located. It is open daily from 10am to 10pm. On 19 thousand sq.m. there are more than 40 stores, including the legendary American GAP and Guess, clothing women, men and children around the world. In Demirören there are stores that supply men's clothing and accessories Brandroom, the German brand Tchibo, which, in addition to coffee, also produces clothing collections and household appliances, the French manufacturer of luxury cosmetics Sephora, the Danish Hummel, which produces sportswear, equipment and shoes. On the third floor of the mall there are cafes, restaurants and a cinema.

Among the numerous shops on Istiklal Street, it is difficult to ignore the boutiques of famous world brands: Kiki Riki, Bershka, Golden Rose, Koton, New Balance, Bargello, Gratis, DeFacto, OXXO, Flormar, Mango. Due to the fact that many foreign manufacturers have Turkish factories, the cost of branded items is often pleasantly pleasing. It is also worth visiting the shops of local producers to purchase Turkish sweets, leather, fur or textile products, magnificent porcelain, natural cosmetics, and jewelry.

Istiklal is an exclusively pedestrian street, the only exception being the ancient tram that has been running along the street since 1871. The famous old tram barely filters through the crowds of people walking along the street. When cars filled the city, the tram was removed for some time, as a relic of the past, but the townspeople defended the rarity and the tram was soon returned. And now, like a hundred years ago, he walks back and forth along narrow single-track tracks. Anyone can ride it.

Istiklal is also a paradise for true gourmets. Here you can try all kinds of Turkish delicacies! For example, wonderful icli kofte - a traditional Turkish dish - small cutlets of minced meat with onions and walnuts, fried in bulgur flour; real Turkish ice cream at Mado cafe. This wonderful dessert has little in common with ice cream in our minds - a viscous, gum-like, cold mass, the main components of which are orchis and goat's milk. The spectacle of the ice cream maker pulling out and spinning huge clouds of ice cream on a long stick, deftly turning, stretching and throwing them over, deserves special attention.

Istiklal in the evening and at night - clubs and bars

While walking along the street, you will definitely meet numerous street musicians and dancers demonstrating their talents. In this way, Istiklal is very similar to Moscow Arbat. Well, after dark, when the shops close, the doors open to fashionable clubs. We invite you to explore the three most popular nightlife spots in Istiklal.

Pub Crawl Istanbul

The club is open all days except Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday-Thursday - from 10 pm to 5 am, on Fridays and Saturdays - from 9 pm to am. Entrance ticket – 50 liras. The club is very fond of foreigners, including Russians. Lots of free tables. The club's specialty is good cocktails and shots.

Nardis Jass Club

An intimate and very atmospheric jazz club near the Galata Tower is open every day except Sunday. Guests begin to be admitted from 8 pm, and are seen off at one thirty at night. Jazz performances start at half past ten, but it is better to arrive early to grab a table (there are not enough seats in the hall).

360 Istanbul

The newest club on the roof of an Istanbul high-rise (building 8) will delight you with excellent cuisine, stylish interiors and a pleasant lounge. On Fridays and Saturdays the establishment is open from noon to 4 am, on other days from noon to two am. The penthouse with all-round panoramic glazing offers stunning views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. Various show programs are held for restaurant visitors with the participation of talented vocalists, dancers, and actors. After midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, DJs are in charge of the mood of the guests, inviting everyone to dance at a non-stop party.

In terms of the number of cafes and restaurants, Istiklal is probably ahead of all other Istanbul streets. Here you can drink a cup of good Turkish coffee for a few liras in one of the small cafes or have a delicious dinner in a fashionable restaurant. One of the most popular is the Ficcin restaurant, which, however, is located not on Istiklal itself, but on a street that runs perpendicularly. Prices are more than reasonable. The menu is based on local cuisine. Many visitors praise our analogues of stuffed cabbage dumplings and Turkish pies with all kinds of fillings.

We talked above about 360 Istanbul, where, in addition to the disco club, there is also a luxurious restaurant. You can also look into the Guney Restaurant next to the Galata Tower - by local standards the prices there are not the lowest, but compared to European ones, they are almost nothing. 🙂 A two-course lunch with free appetizers and bread will cost about 20 euros. Meat eaters will love the menu at one of the popular kebab shops on Istiklal Street - Münhasir Döner Kebab. On the top floor there is a winter garden, in which it is especially pleasant to eat. For dinner for 20 euros you can order, for example, a delicious kebab with pistachio, Turkish doner (something like kebab) and freshly squeezed juice.

Istiklal Street in the photo

You can find even more photos from Istiklal Street in Istanbul in a special photo album. Here you will find pictures of both daytime and nighttime Istiklal.

But not everywhere you can find a street where Catholic churches and nightclubs, museums and cinemas coexist, an ancient lyceum (with a competition of more than 1000 people per place!) and an ancient tower of the Ottoman Empire, where Asian and European styles in architecture are combined and you can feel the spirit of the times .

A tram from 1871 still operates here and a unique metro line with only two stations has been built, a street along which about 3 million people pass every day!

Welcome to Istiklal - the heart of Beyoğlu and the place A must visit in Istanbul!

The history of the street begins during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (are there any fans of the series “The Magnificent Century” among my readers? Istiklal began to be built up precisely in those times).

In the 17th century the street connected the Galata Tower and the Galata Palace, at the same time embassies of other countries began to appear on the street, churches were built, the street bore the title of Main Avenue. At the beginning of the 20th century Türkiye declared itself a Republic and the street was renamed to its current name, which means “Independence Street.”

In 1955 the street was seriously damaged during the Istanbul pogroms and was in decline until the 90s. Now the street is being renovated, historical buildings are being restored, and many shops, restaurants and cafes are open.

2. Where is it located and how to get there

Istiklal Street starts at Taksim Square and goes towards. We walked from the Galata Tower, so first we walked a little along the street Şahkapısı Sk, and then ended up on Istiklal.

Location on the map and our route:

There are several ways to get to Istiklal, depending on where you plan to start and where you are going.

2.1. Hiking route from Sultanahmet

Basically, if you live in or Beyoglu, you can walk to Istiklal. A very beautiful route goes from Sultanahmet along the Galata Bridge, through the Galata Tower and to Taksim Square. There you can already take a bus or metro and get to another area. We got there exactly this way, but we were very tired, because... It took quite a long time to walk. But if you don’t have heavy suitcases and/or small children, then this is a great method!

2.2. Public transport

You can also get to Istiklal from Sultanahmet by high-speed tram T1 to Kabatas station, then change to the funicular and get to Taksim station.

From other areas you can get to Karakoy station (also by light rail). From the stop you can take the cable car or walk.

You can also get to Taksim by metro, the station is called Taksim.

2.3. Tours of Istiklal

You can also walk along Istiklal Street as part of a tour group. Plus - they will tell you historical aspects and unusual facts, minus - the excursion time is limited and there will be other tourists on the excursion besides you.

3. Photowalk

The famous historical red tram, which has become the hallmark of Istanbul, you can still ride on it, the route is from Taksim Square to the Tunel metro station:

Some buildings are under reconstruction:

Even sellers of simits (sesame bagels) styled their carts to resemble a historical tram:

Beginning of Istiklal Street (from the side of the Galata Tower):

We immediately meet the Consulate General of the Russian Federation, built in 1838 - 1845, according to legend, it was built on Russian soil, which was specially brought in by ship. Whether this is true or not, we will never know, but the fact that the building was recognized as a monument of palace architecture is a fact!

Unfortunately, the street is not maintained, which is why in some places it looks so unsightly:

Again we meet the tram, it turns out that you can ride not only inside, but also outside:

Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua:

Entrance to the territory is absolutely free:

Statue of John XXIII, who preached in the church in the 30s of the XX century:

Name plate in different languages. It’s interesting how the same name is pronounced in different languages ​​- Giovanni, Jean, John:

Interior of the church:

Inside the church:

Monument 1923-1973:

Honestly, I haven’t found any information about this monument (1923 is the year of Turkish independence), if you know what it’s dedicated to, share it in the comments!

The street is decorated with flags:

Flower Passage, an architectural monument built back in 1876 on the site of the theater. Initially, shops here were located on the 1st floor, the remaining floors were occupied by residential apartments.

Nowadays, the ground floor is occupied by shops and restaurants, so you can dine in a historical place while admiring the French architecture in the center of Istanbul.

Istiklal is not only full of historical monuments, you can also watch street musicians perform here:

Crowded (İstiklal caddesi)- another symbol of the city and the center of nightlife. Istiklal is not just a street with fashionable shops, nightclubs and restaurants. This is a symbol of European Turkey.

Istiklal Street on the map of Istanbul

Istiklal Street is located in Istanbul in the Beyoglu district on the north side of the Golden Horn. Istiklal Street starts from and goes south towards the Golden Horn Bay towards Galata. The length of Istiklal Street is almost 2 km.

Open larger.

How to get to Istiklal Street

To get to Istiklal Street in Istanbul, you first need to decide which part of it you want to go to. The closest transport points to get to Istiklal Street are Taksim metro (to get to the northern part of Istiklal). And Shishkhane metro station, Tunel, and Karaköy light rail stop (to reach the southern part of Istiklal Street). How to get to Istiklal Street from Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports, Bayrampasa and Harem bus stations, railway stations, Sultanahmet, Laleli, Aksaray areas, see. On Istiklal Street itself there is only one type of public transport - the old tram. because Istiklal Street is pedestrian. It can be used to get from Taksim Square to Tunel.

History of Istiklal Street

The area around today's Beyoğlu district has been inhabited by foreigners for a long time. And this area was called Pera, which means “beyond,” “on the other side.” The fact is that the Genoese, who settled the Galata area, left a nearby hill outside the walls. The forests remained there. But over time, the forests were cut down. And in their places vineyards were planted. After the fortress walls in Galata turned out to be unnecessary, the population began to build houses in Peru. Mostly rich Christians from trade and finance settled here - merchants, moneylenders. bankers. In 1831 there was a severe fire in Pera. But every cloud has a silver lining. Thanks to this, Pera was rebuilt. New 5-7 storey houses were built in the European style. Pera's plan also changed. The network of intricate streets and dead ends took on a more logical appearance. And the main artery of the area became Jadde-i-Kibir street. Just like today, the street was lined with expensive hotels, shops, restaurants, banks, and embassies. The street had a completely European appearance. In 1923, Jadde-i-Kibir was renamed Istiklal Jaddesi, i.e. Independence street.

After the 17th year of the 20th century, Istiklal practically turned into a Russian street. At this time, Istanbul (Constantinople) was overwhelmed by a wave of emigrants from Russia, fleeing the revolutionary achievements. They preferred to live in the Istiklal area. There wasn't enough work for everyone. Yesterday's officers of the Russian army were selling pies and newspapers here, and aristocratic young ladies were selling flowers and postcards. And some by themselves. Russian taverns opened all around and Russian speech was heard. By the 1930s, the bulk of emigrants left Istanbul and dispersed throughout the world.

Istiklal Street today, photo

Like many years ago, Istiklal Street continues to be the “center of Europe” not only in Istanbul, but throughout Turkey, which is gradually moving away from the precepts of Ataturk, becoming more and more religious. But Istiklal is still “Europe”. On Istiklal you can easily meet Turkish girls in outfits that are revealing for Muslim women, informal youth, freaks, musicians of all stripes and artists. Sexual minorities are also found here, although they prefer neighboring Tarlabashi. Rallies and demonstrations often take place here. Recently, unfortunately, a large number of beggars and beggars - refugees from Syria - have appeared in Istiklal. In the morning, as a rule, Istiklal is not very crowded; the street is just waking up. But soon there will definitely be crowds here.

Despite the fact that in the Istiklal area there are many expensive hotels, shops, restaurants, the street is designed for everyone. It is not difficult to find an inexpensive hotel, shop or cafe. Street food is also present on Istiklal - sellers of chestnuts, simits, and corn are at your service. And you can take a walk, listen to local musicians, look at paintings by street artists and in many galleries, and dance among local residents, all for free.

The main development of today's Istiklal Street dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She doesn’t look Turkish at all, but rather European. And it even had another completely non-Turkish name - Grande Rue de Pera.

As before, consulates of various states are located on Istiklal - Greece, Germany. UK.The Russian consulate is also located on Istiklal.

Another characteristic building on Istiklal in the European style is the passages. One of them is the Flower Passage, built in 1876.

Another symbol of Istanbul, and of course, Istiklal Street itself, is the old tram, also known as the retro tram, or nostalgic. This is the only public transport that is available on this street, because... it is considered pedestrian. You can ride the old tram along the entire Istiklal Street from Tunel to Taksim Square. Tram traffic on Istiklal Street has been open since 1871. And although it was closed with the era of cars, over time it was returned again.

Numerous coffee shops and pastry shops invite you with their assortment, which is displayed in the windows.

A barker at one of the many Istiklal restaurants.

The fish market in the Istiklal district is located on the site of a burnt theater.

Walking along Istiklal is quite safe at any time of the day. But it is worth remembering such moments. There is no need to completely relax and lose vigilance. We must remember that, as in any place where there is a large gathering of people, pickpockets and scammers operate here. Also, since rallies and sports fans gather in the Istiklal area, it happens that this does not always become peaceful. Sometimes the police use water cannons and gas. At such moments, it is better to leave Istiklal.

It is worth remembering that Istiklal and the surrounding streets are the largest concentration of bars and nightclubs in Istanbul. This means that the closer it gets to night, the more drunk citizens of different nationalities appear on the streets. The adequacy of the behavior of these citizens cannot always be guaranteed. And if you are in a bar or nightclub, then remember that a pretty girl who sits next to you will most likely turn out to be a consumer who will gladly empty your wallet.

It is worth remembering about Istiklal as the center of nightlife when choosing a hotel if you want to stay in Istiklal or in the nearby alleys. The close presence of nightlife establishments will not always guarantee you silence - music from the premises, visitors who are walking around, talking loudly near the entrance - there is a high probability that you will have to deal with this.

Both on Istiklal Street itself and in its immediate surroundings, there are various attractions. There are many religious buildings - churches, mosques, synagogues. Each attraction will be discussed separately.

Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi) or Independence Avenue is perhaps the most popular place for walking and evening entertainment in Istanbul. This is a wide modern street surrounded by Art Nouveau houses. Sometimes it seems that half the city is walking along Istiklal on a weekend.

Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi)

It stretches for almost three kilometers and starts near and ends near Taksim Square. Sometimes it seems that half the city is walking along Istiklal on a weekend. The street is exclusively pedestrian, but there is one retro exception. This is a red wooden tram that rattles up and down from the Tunel to. And if you don’t want to walk along the avenue, then take the old tram and watch the bustling life around from the windows. Firstly, Istiklal is the center of foreign embassies, including the Russian one. Secondly, in one place there are churches belonging to completely different denominations: Armenian, Greek, Turkish. If you are interested in church architecture, we recommend visiting the churches of Santa Maria Draperis and the Catholic Church of St. Antoine, built at the beginning of the last century.

Might be useful

Interesting excursions around Istanbul

Istiklal Street or Independence Avenue

The architecture of the buildings on Istiklal is truly extraordinary and represents a mixture of different styles. There are neoclassical with neo-Gothic and Renaissance, revival and art deco with art nouveau - architectural styles characteristic of the 19-20 centuries. It was during this period that Istiklal was finally built up and bore the name Cadde-I Kebir, which meant Great Avenue. Turkish bohemia lived here - writers and artists. Later, the Beyoğlu area was overrun by Europeans, who gave the street the name Grand Rue de Pera. When Türkiye became an independent republic in 1923, the street was finally renamed Istiklal. The oldest and most famous hotel is also located on the street. And it is famous for the fact that Agatha Christie wrote her famous bestseller “Murder on the Orient Express” in the hotel. Among the guests of this luxury hotel were Greta Garbo, Jacqueline Kennedy and even Mata Hari. In 2009, after restoration, the famous Patisserie de Pera cafe and Agfhta restaurant reopened.

Book a room at the Pera Palas hotel

The atmosphere of antiquity and modern customs of Istiklal Street

The center of Istiklal Street is Galata Square. In this area there are the Galatasaray Lyceum, the post office of 1875, famous for its beer bars, the Fish Passage, as well as the classical one. Restaurants and bars here are always packed to capacity, and prices are 20% higher than on neighboring streets. But still, it’s worth visiting here, and not only to taste a variety of dishes, but also to plunge into this atmosphere of antiquity, modernity and a diverse audience. In addition to many tourists from all over the world and local residents, Istiklal is constantly flooded with wandering musicians, artists and partying local youth. In general, Istiklal, in a sense, is not a safe place.

In the evening there are a lot of drunk people here, you can easily run into pickpockets, and there are also a lot of different kinds of extortionists. In addition, Turkish youth often go on strike here and you can get into trouble. So be on the lookout and better

Perhaps the most famous and popular street in Istanbul today is Istiklal, which is visited by approximately three million people on just one weekend day. By the way, Istiklal Street in Istanbul, which has a slightly unusual name for any European, is called Grande Rue De Pera by the French, and Independence Avenue by the English-speaking population of the planet.

Located in the Beyoğlu (Pera) district, this elegant street, about one and a half kilometers long, is unusually densely lined with various buildings and structures, which are characterized by a special and unusual architecture for Istanbul. On Istiklal in Istanbul you can see boutiques and large shops, art galleries, cinema and art theaters, libraries, music and book stores, popular restaurants and cafes, pubs and traditional lokants, famous nightclubs.

The Pera (literally "outside") district of Istanbul was outside the city limits and was planted with vineyards. Gradually, rich foreigners developed this area, building mansions and offices here. Istiklal Street was finally developed between the 19th and 20th centuries and was named Cadde-i Kebir or Grand Avenue. Turkish intellectuals, artists, and writers lived here. Gradually they settled in houses on Istiklal
Europeans, as well as the assimilated French and Italians, who gave it the name Grande Rue de Pe"ra. After the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in May 1923, the street was finally renamed Istiklal (independence), exalting the triumph of victory in the Turkish War of Independence. For houses and buildings Istiklal in Istanbul is characterized by an amazing mixture of architectural styles: neoclassical, neo-gothic, renaissance, revival, art nouveau and even art deco, characteristic of the first years of the Turkish republic. Istiklal Street begins in the neighborhoods adjacent to the Galata Tower, and ultimately ends at Taksim Square.

Istiklal Street is best known for its concentration of many embassies and consulates, including France, Greece, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. On this street you can immediately see
several religious buildings belonging to different faiths. This is the Turkish Aga Camii Mosque; Roman Catholic Santa Maria Draperis and S. Antonio di Padova; Greek Orthodox Haghia Triada; Armenian Uc Horan. Istiklal Street in Istanbul is well known to fans of the work of Agatha Christie, who worked on the novel “Murder on the Orient Express” at the Pera Palas Hotel. The so-called "Flower Arcade", built in a 19th-century building, is now known as several fish restaurants that are always crowded with tourists. At this charming spot, you'll pay a premium for your seafood cravings. The site of the burnt theater is now a bustling fish market. There are many catering establishments on the street where you can quickly grab a bite to eat Turkish cuisine,
but check prices are on average 20% higher than in adjacent alleys. Several large clothing stores are usually aimed at tourists.

Istiklal is a pedestrian street, constantly filled with a diverse, diverse crowd of tourists and local residents. Here you can see “wandering” musicians of all kinds and stripes, local youth hang out here, and pickpockets often operate here. By evening, Istiklal is filled with drunk tourists, pimps and extortionists, for example, in the form of pretty girls who trick you into drinking in bars. Moreover, at night Istiklal in Istanbul can become an arena for protests by Turkish youth. You can easily become an unwitting observer of the construction of barricades, loud pops of firecrackers, and getting a rubber bullet or being showered with a water cannon is just an ordinary thing. You should not book a hotel in this noisy and not peaceful area.

Historical transport on Istiklal Street

The tram route has again been laid along Istiklal Street, which has become a true symbol of Istanbul. can definitely be found in photographs and videos telling about the Turkish metropolis. No less interesting is another type of transport - the so-called. tunel (tunel) or, more correctly, in Russian - tunnel. Built back in 1875, this first version of the Turkish metro already connected Istiklal Street to the pier
Karakoy. An avid tourist should definitely try both types of archaic transport in Istanbul.