Alara Benlier | Live the World
November 23, 2022
One of the most alluring cities, Istanbul, is mostly famous for its strategic location, the bridges that bring together Asia and Europe, its mosques, and of course, its Turkish bagels/tea duo. However, if you tired of museums and sightseeing and want to spend some sweet money on some goodies while walking on the most famous shopping streets in İstanbul, this is the right guide for you! So, get your credit card ready and treat yourself right.
Are you ready to walk with 3 million people in the same street? Well, if yes then you should visit the famous İstiklal Caddesi! With its versatile shops, interesting art galleries, old theatres, trendy cafés, fun pub & nightclubs, and also restaurants, İstiklal Caddesi (aka İstiklal Avenue) is inviting you to its radiant atmosphere. This one-kilometer long avenue links Taksim Square to Karaköy and the modern town to the historic city. Down the avenue, you can discover the second oldest underground station in the world, Tünel,** **which was built in 1875! This street is also surrounded by many important buildings, mosques, synagogues, churches and academic institutions from different European countries, as well as embassies and consulates.
If you feel lazy and don't want to walk, you can take the famous small red tram. Other than high-fashion brands, you can also check out for historic cinemas like Atlas, historical passages like Hazzopulo, Suriye and Çiçek, churches like St. Antoine and Santa Maria, and fascinating art galleries like SALT Beyoğlu, and ARTER. While shopping, don't forget to check out the stunning examples of 19th century Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau architecture as well. If you have a sweet tooth, you should visit one of the oldest patisseries, Markiz, which still has its glamourous art nouveau interior and French wall panels. You can also shop for several English language and second-hand books in Homer Kitabevi, Turkuaz Kitabevi, Eren Kitabevi, and Arkeopera. Just a little reminder; since it is so crowded, it’s best to keep your belongings where you can see them avoid any bad luck!
Bağdat Caddesi, aka Bağdat Avenue, is a very trendy street located on the Asian side of Istanbul. This 9-kilometer long avenue is not only surrounded by high-fashion shops but also local ones! The history of this avenue dates back to the Byzantium times and the Ottoman era. During the reign of Abdulhamid II, wealthy merchants, "pashas," built pavilions, some of which stand still nowadays with grace!
Bağdat Avenue might bring you in mind the Bond Street in London, the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, the Via Monte Napoleone in Milan, the Montaigne in Paris and the Strøget in Copenhagen. After shopping, you can relax and enjoy a nice cup of coffee at many new-generation coffee houses, or treat yourself with some delicious food. If the weather is nice, you can also visit the coast of Bağdat Avenue, lie down on the grass, drink a beer, and enjoy the sun & the fresh sea air.
Nişantaşı is one of the most modern parts of Istanbul and consists of four small sub-neighborhoods; Osmanbey, Pangaltı, Teşvikiye, and Maçka. For shopping, you have to visit the Teşvikiye Caddesi ( Teşvikiye Avenue) because in here, you can find a wide variety of retail stores, restaurants, cafés, and bars. It is also where you can find a shopping mall named City’s. Abdi İpekçi Caddesi (Avenue) is another well-known street, where you can find luxury brands such as Beymen, Armani, Hermès and Louis Vuitton, and popular restaurants. In Abdi İpekçi, you can come across with lots of Turkish celebrities as well.
Don't get frightened by the big famous brands here, because in Nişantaşı there is something for every budget. After shopping, you can enjoy your meal in many restaurants and cafés. Like shopping, there are many options when it comes to food and drinks. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the many third-wave coffee shops in Nişantaşı.
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