Taksim Square
Taksim Square
3.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Considered the heart of modern Istanbul, Taksim Square is one of the city’s main tourist attractions and cosmopolitan hubs. Here, you can find a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters and shopping stores. At the center, the Republic Monument, built in commemoration to the Republic of Turkey, is the gathering point for many national holidays such as New Year’s Eve. You can also visit the iconic Taksim Mosque, and look out for the unique trams that pass by the square. Join a city walking tour for an in-depth guide to Taksim Square and many other landmarks in Istanbul. – Tripadvisor
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Beyoglu
Istanbul’s most famous street, pedestrianized Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), throbs day and night and offers a fantastic array of architectural sights, shops, treats, and throngs upon teeming throngs of people. At the avenue’s northeastern end is expansive Taksim Square, thought by many to be the very heart of the city, with many of Turkey’s most renowned restaurants and some of Europe’s most happening nightlife in close proximity. In striking contrast, Beyoglu’s less trafficked areas – such as the affluent Cihangir and the antiques district of Cukurcuma – exude Old World charm and provide contemplative calm and splendid diversion via an assortment of cozy cafes, attractive boutiques, and quiet lanes.
How to get there
  • Taksim • 1 min walk
See what travellers are saying
  • Imran M
    Lahore, Pakistan40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A paradise for any foodie
    An amazing place for a leisurely evening with family. It is a must place to visit during any visit to Istanbul. No visit to Istanbul can be committed without a visa to Taksim square. The istiqlal street is the place to be with amazing restaurants and eating places for authentic Turkish street food.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 19 September 2023
  • mic_leow
    Singapore, Singapore619 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A buzzing place with lot of options!
    Rated as one of the main attractions in Istanbul. Lots of shopping, eating and people watching! Entire street is filled with people regardless what time of the day. As it is not sheltered, recommended to go slightly into the evening where the weather is more comfortable to stroll around. A good way to spend the day!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 September 2023
  • ELSFFC187
    Richmond-upon-Thames, United Kingdom124 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good starting point on Taksim
    I didn’t know much of what to expect on Taksim so I used this as a starting point as a reason to visit the area. The square features a great statue commemorating Ataturk and is visited by the old style trolley tram. It is a good starting point to explore the local area and is very easily accessible by tram from Kabastas, which I wish I had known the first time I visited.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 September 2023
  • LisaVienna4034
    Vienna, Austria587 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lively, centrally located square
    This square is quite a shopping and activity hub. There are 5 streets leading out from the square like a star. Each street has a different feel, and the larger ones are filled with shops, markets, hotels and place to eat. The square itself was rather too crowded and hectic for our taste, but many people there seemed to be enjoying the activity. This area of Istanbul is rather modern - not part of the ancient city.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 November 2023
  • WorldGlutton
    London, United Kingdom23,195 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great to have more time here !!!
    Taksim Square is a major tourist and leisure district, It is surrounded with full of antique/souvenir shops, restaurants, international shopping & food chains, movie theaters, bars, cafes , roof top eateries with Bosphorus . Lots of visitors/tourists, some sit down by the road side café , sip some Turkish coffee , taste all kinds of Turkish snacks , relax to watch the world goes by. While some takes picture with the Square Public Monument, many are seen browsing around shops. Occasionally we get to see the tram passing by. Be great to have more time here !!!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 14 May 2024
  • mohamedismail1987
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Shopping
    Be very careful shopping or buying food. Don't shop or buy anything from and place or person that doesn't show prices. Specially small ice cream places. However, it is a very nice street to visit.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 May 2024
  • Alexei A
    Moscow, Russia4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Too crowded but impressive…
    Taksim Square and Beyoğlu are places that make you feel the heartbeat of Istanbul. Every time I visit, I am enchanted by the lively atmosphere of Taksim and the historical texture of Beyoğlu. While wandering around Taksim Square, I sense that it is a meeting point of different cultures and people. Exploring the narrow streets of Beyoğlu, I see a wonderful balance between the past and the present. The night carries a special charm in this area; with music, laughter, and the dance of lights, I feel like I've stepped into a fairytale land. Taksim and Beyoğlu are places that, for me, reflect the soul and energy of Istanbul in the best possible way.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 May 2024
  • BARRYBE
    Westville, South Africa2,632 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    GREAT SHOPPING AREA
    During our weeks stay in Istanbul, we walked the "Taksim Mile" twice. On both occasions, we were not disappointed as we saw new places for the second time. Also some great restaurants which will be reviewed separately. Just about every fashion brand has an outlet in this area. Both times it was pretty busy with tourists and locals. Well with a visit.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 16 July 2024
  • Javed A
    24 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Busy and fun
    Similar to Oxford st in London. Very crowded with all the expensive shops but some great budget places to eat too such as the kebab places. Must try the tram, the sweetcorn and a kebab wrap and deserts from Haji Mustafa.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles2,850 reviews
Excellent
776
Very good
912
Average
814
Poor
225
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124

Amrimartiniscot
46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Couples
Never seen so many people in one place
Shops, bars, restaurants, markets, street acts
Completely buzzing
If you enjoy hussle and bussle then it's a must.. The food and drinks on offer is amazing and really cheap, istiklal Street never seems to end with a lot of beautiful historical buildings and a beautiful Chapel along the way
Go further afield and find even better
I also recommend talibasi for authentic Istanbul.. An inner city neighbourhood
Written 20 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marko S
Miami, FL29 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Friends
Of course you will enjoy Istiqlal street with all the vibes it gives however I didn’t like Taksim square . It’s crowded with salesmen who were really persistent and not to mention solicitation. At the end of the day I was robbed nearby that square so I would never step nearby it
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jamsheed a
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Solo
Best Place to Shop
Today just now I had a very bad experience, when I came out of a restaurant, one man came to me asking for lighter, as I don't smoke i said no I don't have. He took that as a bridge to start conversation. He was keep talking, he sounded very genuine. He didn't allow me to stop conversation as he was looking like a gentleman even i didn't wanted to disturb. When we reach near a narrow street he asked me to join for a drink. I denied and was trying to walk away. He didn't allow me and kind of forcefully take me to a pub. As soon as I entered i 2 girls were there to entertain her. As he was not getting any attention i found it fishy and after couple of their drinks i asked for my bill. To my shock bill was 8000 LiRA and I had around 2700 LR in hand. They tried their level best to take full money from me and even asked for my card. Even though am a tourist i did my best to defend it. But I had to pay 2600. The person who came with me were just silent and he was acting stupid.
Moral of the story. Never get close with unknown people even if they sound genuine and look like a gentleman.
Mind ur own business
This course cost me 2600 Lira almost 200 USD
Written 20 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jydeoo
Lagos, Nigeria2,311 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
I have visited Istanbul many times and every time I visited or passed through Taksim Square, I always find it amazing. This last time, I was there early in the morning at about 7:30am and it was delightful to watch the first rays of the sun light up the square. Also, there were so many pigeons and a lady feeding them. So peaceful, so lovely, so nice.
Written 1 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Global Traveller
Hong Kong, China11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
For business trips to Istanbul we usually stay in hotels around Taksim Square. The square belongs to the highly secured, Westernized parts of Istanbul. It is usually easy to find in case you have business meetings with clients, who are not from Istanbul and do not have office space in the city. There are some nice hotels around Taksim, which are also easy to find for any taxi driver. In our spare time in between meetings we like to walk down Istiklal Street do some shopping and enjoy the multicultural appeal of the city. For a private vacation, I would prefer other parts of the city.
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Somegood
Swindon, UK103 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
The square itself is not worth visiting, full of homeless people, beggars and con men. The areas around it are fine during the day, some get worse in the evening. I would avoid the park it is quite basic and not much worth looking at.

Beware the scammers, the same scam artist has been working the steps around the Intercontinental Hotel since we arrived. He acts like a gentle older man who offers a shoe shine, you decline and he act humble, next thing he drops his brush as he shuffles off. As all kind people would, they point this out to him and thanks you.

This starts the con, let me clean your shoes as thanks for your kindness, you are a good man, a gentleman, then please if you could, can you offer some money. When he asks for money, his whole attitude and body language changes, become aggressive and demanding, the area makes you vulnerable as there are many people who you feel could be linked with him.
Written 9 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,408 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
The Taksim Sq is one of the most famous squares in two continent city, but don't expect much of it despite being the center of modern Istanbul.
First of all it's not a nice square, I would rather call it a busy commercial and transport hub (something like Alexanderplatz in Berlin).
There are loads of hotels ,eateries and restaurants around, as well the beginning of the famous shopping Istiklal St.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jawid O
4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Solo
The only Pakistani restaurant called Karachi Darbar. Provide you a small pallet of chicken beryani with around 10 gram chicken (5 gram already bone).هری یی چکن هی او کویی پولیو والا کاوا؟
Regardless the price, a customer really feels insulted.
If you want to have a good day around, NEVER try this restaurant!
Written 21 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Abir J
Doha, Qatar249 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Taksim Square must be one of the most overrated places I have been to. It is crowded, unsafe, and full of beggars. Before traveling to Istanbul, I thought it would be the Turkish equivalent of Oxford Street. But, I was so wrong. I would strongly recommend not staying at hotels there and avoiding eating from the shawarma/ beef sandwiches there.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gypsysing
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
Many first timers to Istanbul choose Taksim to stay and shop. But these days it is not a great place to stay. First of all most of the properties around the area are on very steep slopes and getting in and out is a chore for many. Second there are lots of other areas where you can go shopping and there is nothing special on the streets around Taksim that can't be found at any shopping mall around the city. In fact Taksim has become a ripoff area for the first timer to Turkey. So instead stay on the Asian side and enjoy the vibrant cafe society and the real Turkish hospitality at places like Kadikoy. The location is perfect. Transportation wise it is a hub as you got ferries, buses and metro and metrobus. It's a convenient location to travel around and way cheaper. We have been to Istanbul many times and always stayed around Taksim Beyoglu area and took a ferry to the Asian side. But on this trip we decided to listen to our long time resident friend and stay in Kadikoy. The best advice ever.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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TAKSIM SQUARE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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