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Preplanned City Guides and Travel Itineraries

Taksim Square

On this page you find practical information, photos and videos about Taksim Square.

Taksim Square features in these preplanned City Guides:

1-day Istanbul City Guide3-day Istanbul City Guide5-day Istanbul City Guide

Why visit / Interesting facts:

  • Popular meeting place
  • Busy transportation hub

Time required: 30 minutes

Public transport:

  • Tünel: Taksim stop

Address: Taksim Square

Photos: (see more photos)

Photo: th0mi

Things you need to know:

  • Taksim Square is the main square of Istanbul's New Districts. It lies on the east end of the busy shopping street, Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)
  • It is one of the termini of the nostalgic train that runs along Independence Avenue. The line ends at The Tunnel (Tünel), Europe's second oldest (1875) subway station
  • The square's name derives from Arabic meaning 'division' or 'distribution. The city's main water line, built by Sultan Mahmud I in 1732, ended here and branched off to other parts of the city
  • The stone reservoir is still in place and can be found on the southern side of the square
  • Monument of Independence shows Atatürk and other revolutionary heroes. It was erected in 1928 to commemorate the victory of the Turkish Independence War
  • Travel agencies, restaurants, cafés and pubs surround the square along with some of Istanbul's most luxurious hotels, such as InterContinental, and the Ritz-Carlton
  • The square is the venue of many public events such as concerts and parades, New Year Celebrations and other social happenings

What to do there:

  • Start your visit at the memorial to see the statue of Atatürk and his soldiers, representing the War of Independence
  • Take a rest in one of the restaurants before exploring the busy pedestrian street, Istiklal Caddesi

Taksim Square features in these preplanned City Guides: