Taksim Square, Istanbul: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Taksim Square Overview

One of Istanbul’s most visited tourist destinations, Taksim Square is situated in Beyoğlu in the European part of the city in Turkey. It serves as the transfer point for locals where one can meet and truly experience the place filled with shops of every kind, legendary buildings, and cultural centers.

Taksim is an ideal tourist destination famed for its Turkish restaurants, luxury hotels, and historical significance. The famous Republic Monument stands in the heart of this square, and was hand-crafted by Pietro Canonica, which commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic. Explore the dynamic atmosphere and cultural heritage of Taksim as part of your Turkey tour packages, where every corner unveils a piece of history and the spirit of modern Turkey.

The square used to be the epicenter of main water lines from the north of the city, where the water collected was branched off to other parts of it. When you are walking down Istiklal Street, the main street parallel to Taksim Square, you will see many forms of color and life that will reflect the culture and the people of Istanbul.

The streets are filled with shops, food joints, restaurants, hotels where you can interact and experience the destination in your way. Entertainment in Taksim Square can come in many forms. It can be a smile of an innocent child or a Turkish Ice-Cream performance.

With its lively surroundings, the area around the square is alive from dawn to dusk, and dawn again. Browse through different shops and discover local talent embedded in their handmade products ranging from clothing to utilities.

Discover hidden food stores and many more places by interacting with locals. You can also plan your own route to get lost in Taksim Square’s special passages through nostalgic trams. Give yourself up to Istanbul’s culture as you take a stroll around the block, and witness many talented buskers showcasing their art.

How To Reach

Take a Taxi -
When you are outside the airport terminal, search for the official taxi ranks for travelling at a fair price. The taxi service is quite comfortable and you can reach Taksim Square within 30-40 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Opt for Havaist Airport Shuttle -
If you are looking for a bus ride, you can take the Havaist Shuttle Service to reach Taksim easily. The designated route of the bus can give you a short tour and drop you near Taksim. Interact with people and ask them for directions, or you can follow your Google Maps to walk till Taksim Square. The total distance to travel would be around 44 kilometres and would take around 40-50 minutes depending on the traffic to reach Taksim Square.

Private Shuttle -
There are many Private Shuttle services outside the airport terminal that can take you directly to Taksim Square. These services are rather safer and faster than public modes of transport. It will take around 30-40 minutes to reach Taksim Square and cover a distance of 44 kilometres.

Public Transportation -
If you want to experience Istanbul for the first time, you should definitely look for public modes of transport. You can hop on a bus or take a tour of the metro, but all this depends if you have enough time on your hand. The distance may exceed depending on the route or medium of transport you are choosing. Buses take generally an hour to reach Taksim Square and Metros take half the time to cover a distance of around 44 kilometres.

Best Time To Visit

Spring (March to May) and summer (June to August) are considered the two best seasons for tourism in Taksim. During these months, the daytime temperature generally sits between 15°C-20°C and you can relish the best weather and moments of your travel by walking down the long shopping streets with delicious food around every corner.

Shops in Taksim Square opens up after 10 am so it is advised to visit the square as early as possible to experience the art, culture, and talent without any hassle and crowd. Or savour the Turkish Delight in the evening between 7 pm - 8 pm by catching sight of the tranquil, golden sunset.

Other Essential Information

Location of Taksim Square:

The general location address for Taksim Square is - Gümüşsuyu, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey. It is roughly located in the northern part of Istanbul.

Taksim Square distance from Istanbul Airport:

The distance between Taksim Square and Istanbul is roughly around 55 kilometers. However, the shortest route is just 44 kilometers via D020.

History of Taksim Square

The utmost importance of Taksim Square was to distribute water into other parts of the city from northern Istanbul. This area was mainly founded by Sultan Mahmud I from the Ottoman Empire and became the prime distributor of water after Sultan Mahmud I built Maksem during the years 1732-1833.

The Republic Monument located at the heart of Taksim Square is a historical monument, which depicts the Turkish War of Independence on one side and the Turkish Republic on the other side. The Turkish Republic was founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was an excellent Statesman, a field marshal, author and the first President of the Republic of Turkey.

During the 19th century, Taksim Artillery Barracks was another important building situated near Taksim Square, which was later set to demolish to start the construction of Taksim Stadium. However, soon during the years 1939-1940, the stadium too was demolished for the construction of Taksim Gezi Park, Istanbul’s one of last remaining green parks.

Taksim Square has also witnessed many protests and mass demonstrations against the Republic of Turkey’s governance and their fascist regimes. In 2013, after the municipality wanting to tear down the park to add more shops, began to forcefully remove people who camped in the park.

After the news of Police brutality spread all over the world, Gezi park saw one of the largest protest demonstrations ever since. The Istanbul Pride walk was also a major mass gathering in Taksim Square, but it has been sadly banned by the governor since 2015.

Places to Eat in Taksim Square

Turkish cuisines and snacks are popular all over the world. Their rich and prosperous heritage of cooking and serving delicious food still thrives in today’s generations. Some places have been in business and have been serving customers for over 100 years.

1. Arch Bistro

Arch Bistro is one of the top restaurants in Istanbul, near Taksim Square. They specialize in Turkish, Mediterranean and exquisite salads. Tea, bread and dessert that is served here, is complimentary and is a perfect place to read a book and dine.

The restaurant is aesthetically decorated with pictures, books and their unique lighting design, making the whole experience very fulfilling. This place is ideal for romantic dinners and has a different bar section, where you can find many brands and varieties.

Address: Kucukayasofya Mahallesi, Kadirga Limani Cad. No: 113 Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122 Turkey

Timings:
- Tue- 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM

- Wed-Mon- 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM

2. 360 Istanbul

360 Istanbul is Taksim Square’s one of the most popular restaurants. The restaurant is made on a rooftop that offers a complete 360° view of the square and neighboring areas. You will find a variety of dishes here inspired by Turkish, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. They also serve exquisite European wine that will make your dining experience unforgettable.

Address: Tomtom Mh. İstiklal Cad. Mısır Apt.No:163 K:8 Tomtom 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Timings: 10 am to 7 pm

3. Eleos Fish Restaurant

This restaurant was probably made for seafood lovers. The place is rather cozy and the entrance may seem weird to some people, as it is very small and does not look like an entrance at all. However, once you are inside, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Bosphorus from the dining room.

This Greek restaurant will also offer you Ouzo, which is a traditional alcoholic beverage in Greece. If you don’t mind eating in cozy spaces and love seafood, you should definitely try out Eleos.

Address: 231 İstiklal Caddesi, İstanbul, 34421, Turkey

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm

Nightlife at Taksim Square

Many people have different experiences of nightlife in Istanbul. However, it is important to choose the right bar if you are looking to have a drink and relax. If you want to sit, relax, listen to music and have a drink, here are two bars that you should try:

1. Sefahathane

A beautiful Bohemian bar located just off Istiklal Avenue in the interior of Atlas Pasaj, where you and your friends can have a unique experience. This keeps the ambience perfect for couples, singles, and groups and they enjoy their time.

2. Crab Bar

Located in Istiklal Avenue, this bar hosts some of the popular performers of the country. If you are up for a beer and an evening of Turkish music, look no more. Crab bar is a wonderful place to spend an evening with your close ones or alone.

Tips on Visiting Taksim Square

- Do not visit the establishment called Pavyon as there is a prominent history of many fraudsters and potentially criminal activities.

- There is no safe place anywhere around the world, especially if you are a woman. So always try to evaluate the probability of a dangerous situation and avoid it before you actually/accidentally end up in one.

- Due to Taksim Sqaure’s history of mass demonstrations and protests, the government has employed riot cops and necessary personnel to patrol the streets of Taksim and nearby areas. If you feel unsafe you can find Police personnel almost at every intersection of any street and never hesitate to approach them.

- Try to design a 9 to 5 schedule to enjoy Taksim Square at its best.

Taksim Square FAQs

How much will it cost to reach Taksim Square from Istanbul Airport?

Though there is no fixed price for this route, it may charge you around 105TL from the airport to Taksim Square.

What is the best time to visit?

Plan your visit between March to August to best experience the weather, colors, and culture of the city. Since the square is ever-zestful each day and night, stepping as soon as the square opens at 10AM will let you enjoy every shop, restaurant or hotel as the market opens up. Enjoy a mouth-watering dinner in the evening with a romantic verve of setting sun.

Is it safe to wander in the streets near Taksim Square?

Yes, it is safe to wander in the streets near Taksim Square. There will always be plenty of cops on duty, as they patrol to bring down any form of mass demonstration or protests.