Taksim is one of the most famous places in Istanbul, carrying the deep traces of history in perfect harmony with today’s modern approaches. With all its magnificent features, Taksim has been at the center of attention of tourists for years. So, why many tourists choose this place?
The reason why many tourists choose Taksim to stay in Istanbul is that it has a wide range of activities to do. You can visit historical places such as the famous Galata Tower, try new tastes in its charming streets like Karaköy, fill your soul with art with museums designed with different themes such as sport, cinema, and illusion, reward yourself with natural beauties such as Gezi Park or the Bosphorus view. In addition to all these, you can have fun in Taksim’s popular night venues until morning.
In short, Taksim has a wide variety of places that can appeal to the hearts of all kinds of people. The fact that even one of them gives the feeling of seeing Taksim again explains the reason why Taksim is so crowded at all times of the year.
Galata Kulesi
The historical structure of the Galata tower dates back to the Byzantine Empire period. Byzantine Emperor Justinianos built the Galata Tower in 507-508 AD.
The Genoese, who are in alliance with the Byzantine Empire, rebuilt this building in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul in 1348.
Nowadays Galata Tower, whose doors are open to its visitors as a museum, gives an unforgettable moment to visitors with its view and historical structure.
It is an indescribable emotion to look at Istanbul from this 11-story and 62.59-meter-high building in the center of the city.
After taking beautiful pictures in the Galata tower, touching the stones of this building, and inhaling the scent of history, you can eat dessert by looking at the tower in the beautiful cafes surrounding this place.
Address : Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Dolmabahçe Mosque
Dolmabahçe Mosque, whose real name is Bezmiâlem Vâlide Sultan Mosque, was started at the request of Sultan Abdülmecit’s mother, Bezmialem Valide Sultan, and was completed in the reign of Sultan Abdülmecit after the death of the Bezmiâlem Vâlide Sultan.
It is a mosque located on the coastal part of Istanbul, reflecting the characteristics of the period in the mid-19th century.
Many tourists visit Dolmabahçe Mosque due to the beauty of its location and the best way to show the effects of western culture on Ottoman architecture.
Address : Ömer Avni, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:34, 34427 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Taksim Square
Taksim district and square took its name from Taksim Maksem, where Galata-Beyoğlu water was “divided” in the past. In the middle of Taksim Square, the Republic Monument welcomes you. From the beginning of this large square to the Tunnel, the nostalgic train passes.
Address : Gümüşsuyu, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Republic Monument
The Republic Monument, which comes to mind first when Taksim Square is mentioned, has been one of the most important pieces of Taksim Square since 1928.
Address : Şehit Muhtar, Cumhuriyet Anıtı, 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Nostalgic Train
This train, which you are surprised at the first time you hear its voice and gives you nostalgia, has been transporting passengers to Taksim Square in the city for years.
The train provides a great opportunity to experience both cheap and different.
İstiklal Street
İstiklal Street, accompanied by the Nostalgic Train, offers tourists culture, a fun time, and a comfortable shopping opportunity.
There are young people that are singing, shoppers, cafes designed with different concepts, theater buildings, museums, and many other interesting places on Istiklal Street.
Address : Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Church of St. Anthony of Padua
On Istiklal Street in Beyoğlu, the Sent Antuan church is a place worth seeing.
Sent Antuan church is the biggest catholic church in Istanbul. It is a place where people of all religions can easily enter and examine. There is no fee for entrance.
One of the most striking things inside is the statue of Christ the Merciful and the statue of St. Anthony of Padua surrounded by glass.
Address : Tomtom, İstiklal Cd. No:171, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
The Illusion Museum
The Illusion Museum is a modern museum that combines entertainment and art on Istiklal Street. This museum with eye illusions immensely surprises visitors.
Museum visitors can turn this unusual experience into unforgettable memories by taking as many pictures as they want here.
Address : Asmalı Mescit, Asmalı Mescit Asmalı Mescit mh. İstiklal cd. Terkoz Çıkmazı sk. Terkoz, Han No.1/3, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Madame Tussauds Istanbul
The world-renowned wax sculpture museum contains one-to-one sculptures of many famous artists, both Turkish and foreign.
These sculptures, each of which seems alive, are no different from the original.
Taking pictures with these stunning sculptures will drag you into a diverse atmosphere.
Address : Hüseyinağa, Grand Pera AVM, İstiklal Cd. no: 56 D:58, 34440 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Flower Passage
The historical flower arcade with its flamboyant façade architecture is a place known for its taverns on Istiklal Street.
Address : Hüseyinağa, Hüseyinağa Mh İstiklal Caddesi, Sait Paşa Gç. 176/6, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Museum of Innocence
The museum of innocence, which is a 3-floors historical building, is a museum with memory cabinets inside and all walls are covered with glass showcases.
Masumiyet Müzesi is a romance novel that Nobel Prize-winning Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk launched on August 29, 2008, as a result of her 10-year work.
The novel achieved great success by reaching first place on the bestseller list in Turkey. In Addition, the New York Times added it to its list of “The best books of 2009”.
Orhan Pamuk has made this museum a touristic place by exhibiting the items he has accumulated throughout his life since April 28, 2012, in the Museum of Innocence.
Thus, his novel has always preserved its permanence in memories.
Address: Firuzağa, Çukurcuma Caddesi, Dalgıç Çk. No:2, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Pera Museum
Pera Museum, which is one of the art galleries that contributes immensely to the increase of the cultural levels in the society, has great importance in Istanbul with its historical building and artistic values.
Pera Museum provides art lovers pleasant moments by exhibiting collections such as painting, tile, ceramics, and photography.
Address: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Rahmi Koc Museum
Rahmi Koç Museum brings together art lovers collections such as Atatürk Section, Road Transport, Railway Transportation, Maritime, Aviation, Letterpress Printing Workshop, Living Past, Machines, Communication, Scientific Tools, Models, and Toys.
In addition, scientific instruments, old computers, old trains, classic cars, Fenerbahçe Ferry, exhibitions, exploration areas, and dozens of other things take an important place in this museum.
One of the most popular works of the museum is Osman Hamdi Bey’s famous Tortoise Trainer painting, which is widely known.
Address: Piri Paşa, Hasköy Cd. No:5 D:No:5, 34445 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Galata Dervish Lodge
Galata Dervish Lodge, also known as Galata Mevlevihanesi, maintains its importance today as it is the first Mevlevihane of the city. Galata Mevlevihanesi, which is one of the historical places of Beyoğlu district, was built by İskender Pasha in 1491.It is known that the first sheikh of the Galata Mevlevihanesi was Semâî Mehmed Dede.
The Galata Mevlevihanesi, which functions as a museum today, enchants its visitors with the Şeb-i Arus ceremony on special occasions such as the feast of sacrifice and Ramadan.
In this museum, it is possible to examine various musical instruments, Mevlevi items from different periods, and various artifacts.
Address: Şahkulu, Galip Dede Cd. No:15, 34420 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Miniatürk
Miniatürk is the famous place that calls itself the showcase of Turkey, which visitors from all over the world necessarily include in their tour trips.
As Miniatürk mentions on its website, it can be explained most clearly as a small model of the big country.
Miniatürk provides an unforgettable opportunity for tourists to get to know Turkey and meet important places from all over Turkey.
If you are curious about Turkey and its historical buildings, you can first stop by Minatürk and create a nice Turkey tour route for yourself.
There, instead of introducing historical places in a cliché way, miniatures with a 3-dimensional structure welcome you.
Address: Örnektepe, İmrahor Cd. No:7, 34445 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Taksim Gezi Park
The history of the area where this city park is located in the northeast of Taksim Square dates back to the 16th century.Taksim Gezi Park has been used for many different purposes throughout history, such as the Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery, also known as the Surp Agop Armenian Cemetery, and the Halil Pasha Artillery Barracks.
The best known of these is Taksim Stadium, where the Turkish national football team played the first official football match with Romania.This match took place on 26 October 1923 in this stadium, where Gezi Park is located today.
You can take a walk and enjoy the fresh air and nature in this beautiful relaxation area in the heart of the city.
Address: Gümüşsuyu, Tak-ı Zafer Cd., 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Galatasaray Museum
Being the first sports museum in Turkey, Galatasaray Museum brings a total of 3500 valuable cups together with its fans.
Ali Sami Yen, the founder of Galatasaray Sports Club, founded the Galatasaray Museum in 1915 in Beyoğlu.
Galatasaray Museum enchants the eyes of sports lovers with its magnificence.
Address: Hüseyinağa, İstiklal Cd. No:90, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Türvak Cinema Museum
The founder of the museum, Türker İnanoğlu, is someone who has taken part in various jobs such as production and director in the Turkish television and cinema industry.
As this museum is Turkey’s first and only cinema and television museum, it introduces the history of cinema and television to today’s youth in Turkey.
This museum, which consists of 5 floors and 9 halls, welcomes you at the entrance with wax sculptures of unforgettable Turkish cinema actors. Later, the Museum exhibits items that will show how the history of cinema came about when technology is not yet in our lives. The third floor is surrounded by items that shed light on the glorious history of the Turkish Theater.
Address: Tomtom, Yeni Çarşı Cd. No:24, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Cihangir and Çukurcuma
These districts in Beyoğlu with their cute painted houses and streets are worth visiting.
The back streets of this district will once again fascinate you with the beauty of Istanbul. You will likely feel as if you are in a painter’s painting while wandering on the street.Cihangir offers you a pleasant trip with a sweet neighborhood life and cats.
In addition, there are many historical places to visit in Cihangir, such as Aya Triada Church, Orhan Kemal Museum, and Cihangir Mosque.
Çukurcuma is one of the other unique districts in Beyoğlu.
Çukurcuma is a place that has narrow streets, cute shops, and hidden dead-end streets, and enchants visitors with its historical places.
In Çukurcuma, there are accessory and design shops such as 3Rd Culture and Miniko Shop and it attracts a lot of attention. Furthermore, the Museum of Innocence I mentioned earlier has also located in this district, it attracts interested visitors.
Karaköy
Karaköy is one of the most popular places in the city with its colorful streets, beautiful graffiti arts on the walls, elegant restaurants, and cafes with delicious desserts.it has an indescribable pleasure as all these beauties are found on a harborside.
Karaköy, one of the most important trade centers of Istanbul, is a crowded place at all hours of the day. Night venues in Karaköy are also very busy.
The fact that there are many restaurants with all kinds of flavors here also provides visitors with an abundance of choices.
Karaköy also has various educational and religious sites that reflect its historical cosmopolitan character. Karaköy’s Latin-Catholic, Greek-Orthodox, Armenian and Bulgarian churches, the synagogue used by Georgians in the past, and Greek, Jewish, French, Italian, and Austrian schools are among the most famous places.
Kamondo Stairs
Karaköy’s famous Kamondo Stairs is a place that attracts the attention of many tourists with its structure. Because of the beauty of the pictures taken here, there is no one who does not come here and pose on these stairs.
The history of this magnificent architectural staircase in the art nouveau style, which connects Bankalar Street and Banker Street, dates back to the 1850s.
Abraham Salomon Kamondo, one of the wealthy and well-known families of the period, has these stairs built.At that time, the name of this staircase was the Aşıklar staircase, and this structure, which has a special story of its own, still evokes very special feelings in people today.
Address: Bereketzade, Bankalar Cd. NO:10, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Underground Mosque
The Underground Mosque, also known as Kurşunlu Mosque, with its arched columns and green lighting, surrounds you with a peaceful feeling from the moment that you enter.
According to Evliya Çelebi, the mosque, which was built by the son of Abdülaziz Ömer in the year 92 of the Migration and later converted into a mosque, was built under the ground.
This mosque, which has a constant circulation of people, is a place where many visitors visit due to its location.
Address: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Kemankeş Cd. No:23, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Modern Art Museum
The Museum of Modern Art exhibits landscape paintings, watercolor works, and abstract virtual works in magnificent harmony.
Most of the works in question consist of the special works of the Eczacıbaşı family, the founder, and owner of the museum.
This museum, which draws attention from the international community, is located in Beyoğlu.
Adress: Asmalı Mescit, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:99, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
