Route

In the Shadow of İstiklal: Beyoğlu’s Back Garden

A 25-stop walking route from Taksim through Nevizade, Çiçek Pasajı and Pera, down into Galata, ending at Bankalar Caddesi — bringing together street food, historic buildings, and bar streets.

Stops
25
Distance
4.5 km
Duration
180 min
Difficulty
Moderate
In the Shadow of İstiklal: Beyoğlu’s Back Garden route
The line is approximate: stops are joined as the crow flies.

Stops

  1. 1
    Wet Hamburger Stalls

    If you're hungry, start the trip with a wet hamburger (ıslak burger) from a spot like Kızılkayalar or Barış Büfe.

  2. ~3 min · 230 m
    2
    Zübeyir Ocakbaşı

    The first stop of our Taksim route is Kurabiye Sokak. Surrounded by Irish pubs, türkü bars and meyhanes, Zübeyir Ocakbaşı on this street is a genuinely excellent grill house — reservations may be needed in the evenings.

  3. ~2 min · 120 m
    3
    Süslü Saksı Sokak

    We continue the route from here.

  4. ~1 min · 100 m
    4
    Halas Sokak

    We continue along the route.

  5. ~2 min · 140 m
    5
    Balo Sokak

    One of Taksim's well-known streets. We continue our walking route.

  6. ~1 min · 40 m
    6
    Nevizade Sokak

    Nevizade Sokak, the best-known street in the area, packed with meyhanes, bars and entertainment spots.

  7. ~1 min · 60 m
    7
    Reşat Balık

    A shop run by an Oxford-graduate shopkeeper — try the smoked-salmon sandwich.

  8. ~1 min · 50 m
    8
    Tunç Balık

    Try the smoked-salmon sandwich here too — this one's the editor's pick!

  9. ~1 min · 100 m
    9
    Tarihi Çiçek Pasajı (Cité de Pera)

    One of İstiklal Avenue's most iconic buildings — great for photos, and lively at night. Don't miss Galatasaray High School on your way to the next stop.

  10. ~5 min · 430 m
    10
    Meşrutiyet Avenue

    Meşrutiyet Avenue — a walk toward Pera.

  11. ~2 min · 150 m
    11
    Büyük Londra Hotel

    Take a coffee or tea break on the hotel terrace while taking in the beauty of Pera.

  12. ~3 min · 210 m
    12
    Pera Palace

    The legendary Pera Palace — its guests included Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Agatha Christie (who wrote Murder on the Orient Express here), Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock and Queen Elizabeth II.

  13. ~1 min · 120 m
    13
    Asmalı Mescit

    The famous Asmalımescit — the haunt of Nejat İşler and of everyone who loves life. A hub of entertainment and gastronomy; Blind is its best-known venue.

  14. ~2 min · 120 m
    14
    Asmalı Mescit Bar Street

    Sofyalı Sokak, the bar street. If you get hungry, grab a bite at Bilice Kebap just behind it.

  15. ~1 min · 80 m
    15
    Narmanlı Han

    Narmanlı Han

  16. ~1 min · 80 m
    16
    Historic Tünel

    The historic Tünel funicular passage.

  17. ~4 min · 330 m
    17
    Descent into Galata

    The descent into Galata.

  18. ~4 min · 290 m
    18
    Galata Mevlevi Lodge

    Galata Mevlevihanesi (Whirling Dervish Lodge).

  19. ~2 min · 150 m
    19
    Barnathan İstanbul

    Barnathan Hotel — its terrace is the perfect first-date spot.

  20. ~2 min · 140 m
    20
    Serdar-ı Ekrem Avenue

    Serdar-ı Ekrem Avenue, lined with beautiful historic buildings and home to Doğan Apartmanı.

  21. ~1 min · 10 m
    21
    Doğan Apartmanı

    Doğan Apartmanı may be one of Galata's and Istanbul's best-known buildings. Şener Şen, Okan Bayülgen, Sezen Aksu, Tarkan and Teoman are rumored to have owned or lived in apartments here at one time. The building has also hosted many projects such as films, music videos and documentaries.

  22. ~3 min · 240 m
    22
    Galata Tower

    One of Istanbul's most iconic buildings. It was originally built of wood as a lighthouse tower in 528 AD. The Genoese called it the Tower of Christ, and the Byzantines the Great Tower. The tower is 69.90 meters tall. In the Ottoman era it served as a prison, a shelter, a fire lookout and an observatory, and it was restored many times.

  23. ~1 min · 70 m
    23
    Old British Post Office

    If it's open when you're there, head up to the terrace for a bite with a unique view of Galata Tower.

  24. ~2 min · 120 m
    24
    Kamondo Stairs

    Spiral, iconic stairs built by the Kamondo family so their grandchildren could get to school more easily... Also known as the 'Lovers' Stairs', this spot is almost never without the melodies of street musicians.

  25. ~1 min · 10 m
    25
    Bankalar Caddesi (Banks Street)

    Bankalar Avenue is a historic street in the Karaköy and Galata quarters of Istanbul's Beyoğlu district; in the late Ottoman Empire and the early years of the Republic it was the country's main financial and economic center. This is the final stop of our tour. Enjoy this wonderful, architecturally mesmerizing place!

Times between stops are rough estimates from straight-line distance.

We drew the path. Leave the rest to Istanbul.