Taksim is a cosmopolitan town, a communications center, and a major industry, entertainment & shopping area for tourists to have a nice walking tour of Istanbul city. This is the new part of Istanbul and the center of it. It is a remarkable place with its square, crowded streets, lively and entertaining environments, cafes, and restaurants. But how to get to Taksim from airports or other districts and what to do here?
When we say Istanbul, many places come to our minds. But some places come first. One of them is Taksim Square, which has become the symbol of the Beyoğlu district. Taksim Square is known for its history and beauty as well as witnessing political and social events. In short, if you happen to be in Istanbul, do not return without seeing this place. Before going to the Taksim, it is necessary to do some research. It will help you to learn the shortest and safest ways to travel from airports or other districts.
There are many places to visit in Taksim. There are many park areas, entertainment venues, shopping centers, cafes, and restaurants in Taksim. The excursion park, flower passage, Atatürk Cultural Center, Galatasaray Bath, Republic Monument, and İstiklal Street are among the places to be seen here.
How to Get to Taksim Square?
How to Get From the New Istanbul Airport (IST) to Taksim?
Istanbul Airport (IST) is one of the two airports in Istanbul. The airport is located on the European side of the Black Sea coast, about 45 km from Taksim. It takes about 90 minutes to go from IST to Taksim You have several options for reaching Taksim.
Havaist Airport Buses and commercial taxis are travel options between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Taksim.
Havaist Airport Bus
- At Istanbul Airport, Havaist Airport Passenger Services, Domestic Terminal Arrivals Lounge, -2. Departs from the stop at the public transport exit on the floor.
- It takes approximately 95 minutes between Istanbul Airport and Taksim by Havaist Airport Buses (This period may vary depending on the weather and traffic conditions of Istanbul.)
- The fee for the Havaist – Taksim line is 25 TL (3,24 $).
- The card payment system for Havaist Airport buses is at the trial stage, so we recommend that you have cash in Turkish lira with you.
- There is no option to pre-book or buy tickets for the bus. Therefore, you should make sure that you are converting enough Turkish lira.
- All Havaist lines serve 24/7. Buses that take place every 20-30 minutes during the day and once an hour after midnight.
Taxi
From the New Istanbul Airport (IST), you can take a taxi. You can use local taxis to get from the airport to the city center. If we assume that you are going to take a local taxi from Istanbul Airport to Taksim at an average distance of 45 km the IST taxi fare will be about 20-22 $.
How to Get From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Taksim?
The other airport in Istanbul is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The two easiest alternatives to get to Taksim from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport are Havabüs Airport Busses and commercial taxis.
Havabüs Airport Bus
- Havabüs Buses are in white color and the departure point at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is opposite the arrivals floor exit of the terminal building.
- It takes approximately 90 minutes between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Taksim by Havaist Airport Buses (This period may vary depending on the weather and traffic conditions of Istanbul.)
- The fee for the Havabüs – Taksim line is 18 TL (2,34 $).
- The only payment method is cash to pay the ticket fee on the Havabüs Airport Bus.
- There is no option to pre-book or buy tickets for the bus. Therefore, you should make sure that you are converting enough Turkish lira.
- Havabüs shuttles running every half hour between 06:30 and 00:30.
Taxi
From the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), you can take a taxi. You can use local taxis to get from the airport to the city center. If we assume that you are going to take a local taxi from Istanbul Airport to Taksim at an average distance of 45 km the SAW taxi fare will be about 20-22 $.
How to Get From Other Districts to Taksim?
Transportation to Taksim is very easy. IETT Municipality Buses and subway services are provided to Taksim from many parts of Istanbul. Istanbulkart is the card used in Istanbul city buses, subway, trams, and ferries. You can easily use public transportation services if you load money on this card by purchasing it from sales points and subway sale machines.
If you are coming from the Anatolian Side, coming to Beşiktaş, Kabataş or Karaköy with the Şehirhatları Ferries,
You can reach by buses from Beşiktaş and by funicular from Kabataş and Karaköy.
Those coming from Fatih can easily reach Taksim by tram (T1 line) between Bağcılar – Kabataş and those coming from Bakırköy by bus.
Also, you can always use commercial taxis and apps like Careem, iTaksi, Bitaksi.
Why is Taksim Square Famous?
Taksim Square, located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, is one of the most important and famous points of the city. The region is a tourist attraction center. It is of great importance as it hosts entertainment venues, important hotels, shopping points, and cultural places around. It has become a square in its full sense in the Republic Period. In 2013, the traffic in the square was officially closed and the square became pedestrian.
Taksim cannot be described as a district. Seeing it as a square and a series of buildings surrounding it is more correct. The region, which was a narrow region lined with old buildings, took on its present appearance before it became a square, after being converted into a square and extended. In the center of the square, the Republic Monument is not only used on national days as a ceremony place but also serves as a meeting place for those who come to spend time in Istiklal Street and its surroundings.
The nostalgic tram runs to Tünel from the start of the square. Many stores, cinemas, and theaters, art workshops, exhibition halls, restaurants, discotheques, and cafes are housed there. In Taksim, there is 24-hour movement, especially on weekends; most of the local fast-food restaurants at the entrance of the square (including those on weekdays) are open all day on weekends. Nightclubs do not close until early in the morning.
Taksim, which has become an important transportation hub, has begun to demonstrate the characteristics of a crossroad rather than a square. Taksim Square is close to many popular areas of Istanbul such as Nişantaşı, Sultanahmet, Tophane, Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, Karaköy, Tünel, Yenikapı. Near the square, taxis offer transportation around the clock and it is certainly a place where everyone can meet.
What Is It There to Do at Taksim at Night?
We can easily say that Taksim is the heart of Istanbul and alive for 24 hours. Taksim is a cosmopolitan town, a communications center, and big tourist business, entertainment, and shopping area for a pleasant walking tour of the city of Istanbul. Istiklal Street provides a wide variety of dining choices, from luxury restaurants to high-quality restaurants and cafés where visitors and locals go. In Taksim, you will find all kinds of food, Turkish and world cuisine for your taste. Most of the famous restaurants and cafes are located on Istiklal Avenue and in the Taksim tourist zone, where all the hotels are located. In Taksim, the famous dining and wining places are located on Nevizade Path, French Street (Fransız Caddesi), Flower Passage (Çiçek Pasajı), and Asmalimescit. A wide selection of great cafes, restaurants, pubs, bistros, live music bars, and night clubs can be found here.
The best address for a Turkish-style nightlife and dining experience is the taverns called “Meyhane”. In meyhanes, musicians play Turkish music (fasıl), and Rakı is served. Rakı is an alcoholic traditional Turkish drink. It is often served with seafood and mezze (a selection of small dishes served as appetizers).
Usually, the streets are filled with people, young and old, on any given night. All with the same target, having rakı, beer, or wine, to have a good time out while enjoying mezzes or other small dishes, accompanied by alcoholic beverages.
Famous Meyhanes in Taksim
- Tarihi Cumhuriyet Meyhanesi, a restaurant rooted in the history of Beyoğlu, was opened in the early years of the Republic and was popular with Turkish poets and authors. A special table was often maintained for Atatürk, too. There are classic Meyhane dishes on the menu. Some nights of the week on the upper floor, there is live fasıl.
- In Asmalı Cavit for years, the owner Cavit Bey has served healthy food and a welcoming atmosphere in another classic meyhane in the Asmalımescit neighborhood, (thus properly called ‘Asmalı Cavit’). All at Cavit is thoroughly nostalgic, from the old movie posters on the walls to the endless rotating of meze dishes from the open kitchen.
- Firuze Beyoğlu, Sade Meyhane, Yakup 2 are other famous methane’s in Taksim
Other Famous Night-Outs in Taksim
- 360 Istanbul, which is on the list of the best roof bars and nightclubs of Istanbul, welcomes entertainment lovers on the upper floor of the Historical Mısır Apartment in Beyoğlu, one of the central districts of the city. Both in Turkey and abroad famous domestic and foreign DJs from the scene takes place in Istanbul where there are 360 branches in Izmir. Also, the venue provides great convenience in terms of transportation as it is located in the middle of Istiklal Street.
- In Nardis Jazz Club, live music performances take place almost every week, which is one of the favorite places for jazz music lovers. With a capacity of 120 people, the venue is like a nightclub and the naivety and energy of jazz music is reflected in the interior design. Jazz bands from abroad also take the stage at the venue located on Galata Tower Street.
- In Zelda Zonk Karaköy, where the view is very good and the heart of the nightlife is kept, you can taste delicious cocktails in the place where there are 2 separate terraces and enjoy the music while watching the unique night view of the Historical Peninsula.
- Open since 1994, at some stage in their lives, almost every Istanbul local has been to Roxy, whether to see a Turkish pop legend or a globally known folk artist. There’s always something going down on weekends at Roxy, and it’s a safe idea after midnight.
Is Taksim Square Safe at Night?
Taksim, the center of the Beyoğlu district, has become the center of Istanbul’s nightlife. Famous for its colorful and lively nightlife, the Taksim area has many and different venue options for those who want to have fun.
You can find many nightclubs and bars near Taksim Square. Also, you will reach Asmalımescit at the end of İstiklal Street, which is just before the famous Tunnel square of Beyoğlu, you can reach there by walking from Taksim, and is dominated by heavy pedestrian traffic. In Asmalımescit; There are bars, small clubs, and taverns. Here, you can find a very busy crowd every day of the week.
But Teksim’s nightlife has its traps, like any other tourist spot in the world, so here some travel tips on things not to do in Istanbul to have a very enjoyable experience. In fact, these suggestions are valid for all famous and crowded places in the world.
Here 4 tips you should be careful of while you are enjoying your night in Istanbul:
- Don’t walk alone. When necessary, always remain within a group. You’ll decrease the chance of being targeted by people who are up to no good and might be out to take advantage by sticking close to the people you trust and know well.
- Find out as much as you can about where you’re going. Read comments and postings about places where you will spend your night and have fun.
- If you drink alcohol, remain in control. Know and never push the boundaries. Also, keep a close eye on your beverages and never leave them at any point unattended.
- Take a taxi when you traveling at night. Using a taxi and get home safely is worth that little extra cost.
Taksim is a cosmopolitan place, a communications hub for tourists to have a pleasant walking tour of Istanbul city, and a major business, entertainment, and shopping district. Taksim is located in the center of Istanbul and can be reached easily and by different methods from airports and other districts. There are events to be held in Taksim for all ages and entertainment styles, and it is a must-visit point for everyone who comes to Istanbul.
