Destinations
A Pedestrian Paradise
The two-mile pedestrian boulevard is a must-see for any visitor to İstanbul. Formerly known as Grande Rue de Péra, the street was renamed İstiklal Caddesi or Independence Avenue in 1923. The bustling street is lined with late Ottoman-era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, from neoclassicism to art deco.
The façade of the turn-of-the-century European-style boulevard is well preserved, and the shops and restaurants that line the promenade are a treat for visitors and locals for a feast of shopping till you drop, recharging at the numerous culinary delights offered by cafes and restaurants large and small. And of course, if you fancy you can dive right into the cultural tour of the many go-to sights along the boulevard. If you start at Taksim Square, İstiklal Caddesi will take you to the famous Galata Tower. Before you reach Galata, take a walkabout through Karaköy, where you can see (and ride) the second oldest metro in the world, the Tünel (Tunnel). Delving into the boulevard’s full history and mystery is a slice of cultural heaven that you can spend all day and night in.
