Best Attractions Near Istiklal in Istanbul
Best Attractions Near Istiklal in Istanbul
A visit to Istiklal Street is an opportunity to immerse yourself in Istanbul's distinctive energy and spirit at its most natural level. The street is the city's busiest, similar to New York's Fifth Avenue or London's Oxford Street. There are stores selling every commodity conceivable, cafés and restaurants, live music, pubs, movies, and much more throughout the entire stretch. This is our list of the finest Istiklal Street attractions.
Cafes, restaurants, and vineyards line the Flower Passage, a historic arcade. A theatre was once housed in the arcade, but it was destroyed in a fire. Many previously rich Russian ladies sold flowers here after the 1917 Russian Revolution, giving the region its name. This is a stunning piece of architecture that you may admire while wandering around or relaxing and having a meal or a drink beneath the domed ceiling.
Ride the Tram
These lovely ruby-red trams have become as much a part of Istiklal Street as the cobblestones. No vacation would be complete without a ride on one of these vintage buses, which have been transporting shoppers and visitors up and down the busy avenue for decades. This is only one of many examples in Istanbul of the past blending smoothly with the city's unique current culture.
Whirling Dervishes
The Turkish organization of Whirling Dervishes held a ritual that inspired the construction of this museum. The ritual is based on an old practice of spinning in a profound prayer trance while raising arms in honor of God. It is a rite that only those inducted into the order are permitted to execute, and it is one of the most intriguing sights to see in Turkey. This museum houses various artifacts and records from the ceremony's lengthy history, including its origins and prohibition in the 1920s.
Pandora Bookshop
Here you'll find international bestsellers in both Turkish and English, as well as maps, travel books, stationery, and whatever else a bookshop may have. If you're interested in learning more about Istanbul's past, stop by this store, which is noted for having a large range of books on Ottoman and Turkish history.
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