European side
Taksim
The modern centre and the city's busiest pedestrian street
Taksim Square and İstiklal Street form modern Istanbul's central artery: shops, cinemas, bookstores, passages full of meyhanes and a nostalgic red tram running down the middle. It is loud, crowded and genuinely alive at almost any hour.
What to see
İstiklal Street
A 1.4 km pedestrian street lined with historic arcades and side-street bars.
Çiçek Pasajı and Nevizade
Meyhane alleys where dinner turns into a long evening of meze.
Cihangir
A calmer neighbourhood just downhill, full of cafés and cats.
Getting there
- M2 metro to Taksim, or the F1 funicular up from Kabataş.
- Direct airport bus and metro connections from both airports.
Tours nearby
4.7(1,580)About 8 hours
Istanbul City Tour
A full-day guided loop through the essential sights, on foot and by coach.
from €65
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