Istiklal - a walk along the main street of Istanbul. Istiklal Street is the busiest street in Istanbul, so here we only want to talk about the impression that this ancient building made on us. Walking in the evening along the embankment of the historical peninsula area

Today, Istanbul's Beyoğlu district can be called an autonomous settlement consisting of 45 separate parts. Currently, about 225,000 residents permanently live on its territory. But since Beyoğlu is a center of business, leisure and culture, life in it does not stop for a minute. Every day there are up to several million visitors, including both Turks themselves and tourists.

Beyoglu district in Istanbul

During the Byzantine times, this area was called the Vineyards of Pern. For a long time, foreigners called Beyoglu simply Pera, while locals called it more broadly – ​​Pera Beyoglu. The last part of this name nevertheless began to dominate over time, and the name Pera was completely forgotten after it was removed from official circulation in 1925.

The history of Beyoğlu is very rich and varied. The settlement of these territories began about 8 thousand years ago. A variety of peoples lived here, successively, from the Thracians to the Greeks and the ancient Romans, but before the Ottomans came to power, the area was minimally developed and was considered just a suburb of Constantinople, although important from the point of view of trade.

Active development began in 1492, when water supply was established in Beyoglu and foreign embassies began to concentrate here. The area between Galatasaray and Tunel began to develop not only as a shopping area, but also as a residential area.

Due to the fact that foreigners lived in Beyoglu almost from its very foundation, the area turned out to be much more Europeanized than other similar areas of Istanbul.

Massive development “like Europe” began in the 20s of the 20th century, during the reign of Kemal Ataturk, who was famous for his progressive views and sentiments. But at the same time, monuments of ancient architecture, such as the Galata Tower, were preserved.

Until 1927, the area's most famous street, Istiklal, was called Cadde-i Kebir, Büyük Cadde or Grande Rue de Péra in French.

It’s worth saying a little more about the sights of Beyoğlu.

Sights of Beyoğlu

Among the attractions of Beyoglu is the Galata Tower

Beyoglu is a storehouse of everything unusual and interesting. It is very difficult to single out one thing in a series of historical and modern cultural monuments, but there are several places that should definitely be visited.

Arab mosque: this Istanbul shrine dates back to 1337. The initiators of its construction were the Genoese. Initially it played the role of a Latin church, but with the arrival of the Muslim conquerors it was converted into a mosque with extremely interesting architecture (a mixture of stone and wood).

: The building dates back to 1348. The height of the tower allows you to see the beauty of Istanbul at a glance. Therefore, travelers are happy to pay for the entrance ticket in order to fully enjoy the breathtaking city panorama.

Church of Christ: interesting not only from a historical, but also from an architectural point of view. The interior decoration amazes with its splendor. Many people talk about the unusual acoustics of the church, so it is worth visiting Christ Church during the service.

Jewish Museum of Turkey: Not far from the Galata Bridge is the beautiful Jewish Zilfaris Synagogue. It was within its walls that a compact museum complex was founded at the beginning of the 21st century. A small but harmonious collection tells about the historical and cultural relations between Jews and Muslims.

Artist on Istiklal Street

Church of St. Mary Draperis (Santa Maria Draperis Kilisesi). In the central part of Istanbul's Beyoglu district stands the famous Catholic shrine - the Latin Church of St. Mary Draperi. The landmark, dating back to the 17th century, suffered greatly from fires several times in its history, but was restored each time. The church acquired its modern appearance thanks to the famous architect from Italy, to whom ruler Abdulahmet II gave permission to reconstruct the Catholic monastery in 1904.

Salt Galata Cultural Center: This is one of the main attractions of Beyoglu. On an impressive territory there is a large number of exhibition spaces of different directions. Scientific conferences and seminars are regularly held here. Extensive research activities have been launched at the cultural center. The building itself is also an architectural monument, erected at the end of the 19th century under the leadership of the architect Alexander Vallaury and modernized with the help of the Mimarlar Tasarym architectural bureau.

You can also look at the Fish Market (Balık pazarı) - the name of the market is conditional, since in fact everything is sold here, fruits, vegetables, seafood, spices, sweets, leather goods and much more. In front of its entrance there is an arch with a sign erected in honor of its 150th anniversary.

These are not all the attractions of Beyoğlu that visitors to the city should pay close attention to. Of great interest are the Mevlevi Museum in Galata, the Depo Cultural Center, Casa Galeri and much, much more.

Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı) in Beyoğlu

The local Taksim Square should be studied in particular detail. It can be called a kind of border line between the old and new cities. Around the square there are luxury hotels, expensive and budget catering establishments, etc. The transport network is very developed. Taksim Square is a traditional venue for large-scale public events and military parades.

A large number of attractions of the area are concentrated in this territory - a park with the same name Taksim, the Independence Monument, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Ataturk Cultural Center, the Taksim Mosque, the Taksim Art Gallery and much more.

Not far from the square, Istanbul's famous Istiklal Street begins, leading to the historical center of Beyoglu.

It is in Taksim Square that official demonstrations are often held. By the way, it is here that the Gezi Park is located nearby, due to the demolition of which strikes began in Taksim in 2013. As a result, after lengthy arguments, the demolition of the park was stopped.

Fans of Galatasaray and Beşiktaş also gather in the square after matches.

It is interesting that the square has already been reconstructed a significant number of times, the architectural appearance has been improved, but at the same time the general style, which appeared in the late 30s of the 20th century through the efforts of the Frenchman Henri Prost, has been preserved to this day.

The Marmara Taksim Hotel in Beyoglu

There are a lot of hotels in this area, and accordingly the price range is quite wide. The most popular hotels are as follows:

• Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah
• Gezi Hotel Bosphorus
• Tomtom Suites
• Rixos Pera Istanbul
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Pera
• Witt Istanbul Suites
• Corinne Hotel
• Georges Hotel Galata
• CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul

If you are going to spend most of your time on excursions and trips, then of course there is no point in taking an expensive hotel, given that you will only spend the night in it. I recommend spending more time walking, having breakfast outside the hotel in picturesque places - this is much more interesting, and will also give you the opportunity to get to know Turkish cuisine and flavor better.

Shopping in Beyoğlu: Istiklal Caddesi

Istiklal Street in Istanbul (Istiklal Caddesi)

The concentration of a large number of shops is Istiklal Street, which stretches from Taksim Square to the final stop of the famous red tram.

Here you can find everything: souvenirs, clothes, silver and gold, cosmetics, shoes, antiques, Turkish sweets and much more.

Therefore, when you are going for a walk along the boulevard, plan your time taking into account the fact that you will want to look at different shops and this will not be limited to one or two hours.

Basically, all stores are open as free-standing ones; there is only one and small shopping center - Demirören Avm. On the ground floor there is a large Sephora department, there are also departments Gizia, DeFacto, Vakko (branded clothing store), Brandroom (branded clothing store), Guess, Gap, Koton and others.

Throughout Istiklal Street you can find shops: Colins's, Mango, H&M, Adidas, Lacoste, Diesel, Flo, Waikiki, MAC, SNR Shop, Kemal Tanca, Hotiç, Tudors, Elle, Mavi, Collezione, New Balance, Yves Rocher, Faik Sonmez and much more (mass market and accessory stores).

Istikal Street on the map:

Restaurants and cafes on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu

Restaurant 360 Istanbul on Istiklal Street

For lovers of cafes, restaurants and party places in the Beyoğlu district on Istiklal Street, as well as on the alleys close to it, you can find a huge number of different establishments, sometimes completely different from each other.

These include fish restaurants, club-restaurants with an unusual view, traditional Turkish kebab restaurants, pide and much more.

I will give examples of those establishments that would be interesting for a tourist to visit.

Flower passage (Çiçek Pasajı)

Flower Arcade in Istanbul (Çiçek Pasajı)

First of all, be sure to check out the Flower Arcade (Çiçek Pasajı), which is a historical landmark in the Beyoğlu district. It has been partially restored and reconstructed and is approximately 140 years old. On the territory that the building now occupies, in the 19th century there was a wooden theater of Mikhail Naum Dukhani.

Today, on the ground floor of the arcade, there are restaurants popular with both locals and tourists.

The Flower Passage is interesting not only for its restaurants, but also for its unconventional architecture, which may vaguely resemble the passages of France.

Flower passage on the map

Restaurant-bar Leb-i Derya

Located on the top floor of the Richmond Hotel. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the strait. Here you can spend an evening either in a restaurant format or at a bar counter overlooking the sea.

On weekends, Leb-i derya plays local DJs, music in the style of Lounge, Nu Jazz, Electro Bossa, Chillhouse, Nu Disco, Lounge, Jazz, Oldies and Chilout.

Menu prices for 2017: hot dishes from 36 to 55 Turkish lira, salads from 14 to 20 lira, appetizers from 14 to 36 lira, desserts from 8 to 20 lira.

Restaurant ELEOS

Eleos Restaurant in Beyoglu

Located in an alley next to Istiklal. If you pass the Russian Consulate (it will be on your left), you need to turn into the first lane on the left, after a couple of minutes of walking you will find it.

The top floor of the restaurant offers a magnificent view.

It is advisable to reserve a table before visiting, especially if you plan to visit in the evening.

The average bill for 2017 is 245 Turkish lira for two with alcohol.

360 Istanbul

This is a fairly well-known and popular place among tourists, which combines a bar, club and restaurant. What made it so famous? Of course, with its 360-degree view of Istanbul. This beauty is especially breathtaking at night. I definitely recommend visiting!

The concept of the establishment: delicious food, atmosphere and relaxation.

Menu prices for 2017: appetizers from 29 to 37 Turkish liras, main courses from 55 to 95 liras, alcohol (bottled) from 145 liras (local Turkish wines) to 2250 liras.

Restaurant Barba Rasimo

Quite an old restaurant, with Greek and Turkish cuisine. The restaurant is located on the terrace, overlooking the strait and Istanbul.

Hot and cold appetizers: from 10 to 30 Turkish liras, salads from 12 to 18 liras, main courses from 26 to 35 liras, desserts from 12 to 16 liras.

Finding the Beyoğlu area is quite easy. Beyoğlu district on the map.

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

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 topics, which 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

• 1 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, life on which 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, 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 on 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.

You can plot a route for your car by entering the name of the place from where you want to leave and where to get there. Enter the names of points in the nominative case and in full, with the name of the city or region separated by a comma. Otherwise, the online route map may show the wrong path.

The free Yandex map contains detailed information about the selected area, including the boundaries of regions, territories and regions of Russia. In the “layers” section, you can switch the map to “Satellite” mode, then you will see a satellite image of the selected city. The “People's Map” layer shows metro stations, airports, names of neighborhoods and streets with house numbers. This is an online interactive map - it cannot be downloaded.

Nearest hotels (hotels, hostels, apartments, guest houses)

View all hotels in the area on the map

Five nearby hotels are shown above. Among them there are both regular hotels and hotels with several stars, as well as cheap accommodation - hostels, apartments and guest houses. These are usually private economy class mini-hotels. The hostel is a modern hostel. An apartment is a private apartment for daily rent, and a guest house is a large private house, where the owners themselves usually live and rent out rooms for guests. You can rent a guest house with an all-inclusive service, a bathhouse and other attributes of a good holiday. Check with the owners for details here.

Usually hotels are located closer to the city center, including inexpensive ones, near the metro or train station. But if this is a resort area, then the best mini-hotels, on the contrary, are located further from the center - on the seashore or river bank.

Nearest airports

When is it more profitable to fly? Chip flights.

You can choose one of the nearest airports and buy a plane ticket without leaving your seat. The search for the cheapest air tickets takes place online and the best offers are displayed to you, including for direct flights. As a rule, these are electronic tickets for a promotion or discount from many airlines. Having selected the appropriate date and price, click on it and you will be taken to the company’s official website, where you can book and buy the required ticket.

Perhaps today in Istanbul, the most famous and popular street is Istiklal, along which approximately three million people walk during 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 a surprising mixture of architectural styles: neoclassicism, neo-gothic, renaissance, revival, art nouveau and even art deco, characteristic of the early 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 with the pier
Karakoy. An avid tourist should definitely try both types of archaic transport in Istanbul.