Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul is a busy street. In fact, the busiest street in Turkey. Also known as Istiklal Caddesi in Turkish or Independence Avenue in English and sitting near Taksim square, anyone visiting the city should spend at least a day exploring the 1.4-kilometer Street and all the side alleys. The street is busy from morning until night and immaculately clean and uniformed, but buildings also have a historical tale related to the Ottoman era.
Often frequented by dignitaries, Ottoman intellectuals and people of affluence, the cosmopolitan street was the place to hang out. After the Turkish war in 1923, the government renamed it, but by the 1970s, neglect turned the street into an undesirable area. Finally, in the 1990s, Istanbul local council decided to do something to the tune of millions of dollars and that work bought Istiklal to the influential status of today. So when you visit the street for the day, where should you go and what is there to do? Well, start with the Tram line that goes from one end to the other, or slowly wander down at your own pace to see the following landmarks.
Where is Istiklal Street?
Situated in Beyoglu, Istiklal street is almost 1.25 miles long and meant only for pedestrians. It starts at the Taksim Square and ends near the Galata Tower. The Beyoglu district was formerly known as Pera— explains why many restaurants and shops here have the word Pera in them.
As you walk down the cobbled street you will notice Ottoman-style buildings, interspersed periodically with Art Deco and modern styles. It’s easy to be inspired and awed at the same time.
1. Ride a Vintage Red Tram
These beautiful ruby-red trams are as much a fixture of Istiklal Street as the cobbles on the road. No trip would be complete without boarding one of these vehicles that have carried shoppers and tourists up and down the bustling avenue for decades. This is one of the many examples in Istanbul of the past working seamlessly into the unique modern culture of the city.
2. Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues
There are a few churches in this area, but the biggest and best is the St. Anthony of Padua Church. The Venetian Neo-Gothic architecture of the inside is impressive. The church is a fully functioning place of worship for Christians that live in a predominately Muslim country. If religious landmarks interest you, then you may like the Spiritual Sunday Excursion by Istanbul Tour Studio. It visits major churches, mosques, and synagogues of Istiklal Avenue and surrounding neighbourhoods. Understanding the multi-cultural history of Istanbul is hard at times, but this is a perfect way to see and understand how various religions have shaped its history over time.
3. Sample the Street Food
Experiment with the street food and sample a little bit of everything. On Istiklal Street, it seems like the most natural thing in the world to get in line to sample fresh mussels with a dash of lime or bite into a crisp ‘Simit’ a Turkish bagel of sorts made out of flour and coated with sesame seeds. I also tried the roasted chestnuts, lamb kebabs, and shawarmas where the meat was weighed before it went into the wrap.
Amidst all this, it’s impossible to ignore the seductive cries of the ice cream man calling you to enjoy the experience of getting an ice cream cone. This is the famous Salep Donduras Ice Cream.
The ice cream man is local, dressed in a traditional Turkish outfit and does several Houdini acts with your ice cream before you finally get it in hand. The tourists enjoy this entertainment judging by the crowds around the ice cream stands.
Finally, as a salute to the fidelity of your taste buds, sip some strong Turkish coffee or the more palatable Turkish tea which incidentally comes in delicious flavors like apple and pomegranate. I literally fell in love with their apple tea and bought some to take home.
4. Cicek Pasaji
Flower passage, known in Turkish as Cicek Pasaji, got its name from Russian immigrants that used to sell flowers there during the early 20th century. Initially starting life as a theatre, it is now a collection of traditional Turkish restaurants serving up a feast of mezes, main dishes and desserts. Also, admire the tall glass ceiling and famous portraits of previous visitors adorning the upper levels of shops.
5. Nevizade Street
Nevizade is a popular street and night time entertainment area that is situated at the back of the Flower Passage, in the middle of Istiklal Street, where visitors may enjoy the lively atmosphere of its narrow streets with eateries, cafes, fish restaurants, meyhanes, dining places and more.
