Istiklal Pedestrian Streetis located in the European part of Istanbul in the Beyoglu district. It starts near Galata Tower, next to the Golden Horn, and ends at Taksim Square – the central square of the city.

To get to Istiklal Street from the center of old Istanbul (Sultanahmet district), you need to cross the Galata Bridge to the other side of the Golden Horn Bay and take the metro (underground funicular) to its top stop (Tunel station). Here, near the exit from the metro, is the beginning of Istiklal Street.

An old tram on Istiklal Street. There is no other transport here

The length of this pedestrian street is about 1.4 km. Its width is small, about 20 meters. The only transport that runs along it is a miniature old tram. At a calm pace, you can walk the entire street in about 20-30 minutes.

The architecture of the street is a mixture of European and Ottoman styles. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Europeans began to settle in the area of this street; embassies of European countries, churches, restaurants, and shops were opened here. In fact, at that time this street was the center of European life. By the way, the embassies of countries such as France, Greece, Spain, and Great Britain are still located here. Some Christian churches have also survived.

A mixture of Europe and Asia in the architectural appearance of the street

Now Istiklal Street is the face of modern Istanbul. Turkish youth like to walk and relax here. In addition to shops, there are many restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, and street food. Overall, the place is very interesting and nice. When you arrive in Istanbul, it is advisable to visit here. A trip to this street can be combined with a visit to the Galata Tower and the underground metro.

Istiklal pedestrian street is full of lights at night

The street itself is quite safe for tourists. Police patrols can often be seen here. Shops and restaurants are open here until late. There are a lot of people here both during the day and in the evening.