Taksim Square

Taksim Square is the centre of Beyoğlu on Istanbul's European side. It is the city's busiest square: metro, funicular and many bus lines meet here, and İstiklal Avenue starts here.

What to see on the square

The Republic Monument in the middle was made in 1928 by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica. On one side stands the Atatürk Cultural Centre, reopened in 2021; on the other, Taksim Mosque, which opened the same year. Gezi Park lies behind the square.

Where to go from Taksim

• İstiklal Avenue leads to the Galata Tower, about 2 km on foot; the old red tram runs along it too.
• The F1 funicular takes a few minutes down to Kabataş and Dolmabahçe.
• The M2 metro goes north to Şişli and the Levent business district.

Good to know

The square gets very crowded on holidays and weekend evenings. Most cafés and restaurants on İstiklal stay open late.