Taksim - Tünel Tram - Some Istanbul Nostalgia
The iconic bright red Taksim tram is a living legend of historic Istanbul. The city wouldn't be the same without it.
Apologies for the cliche, but the Beyoğlu area of Istanbul really is a feast for the senses. It's a tourist's must.
Every time we've visited Istanbul, we've spent time in the area and we're still stumbling across streets, bars, shops (Arıoğulları Petek Turşuları, for instance) and restaurants we didn't even know existed.
Taking The Taksim Tram To Tünel Via Istiklal Avenue
And then, of course, there's the astounding Istiklal Caddesi (that's another article) from which all these nooks and crannies hide themselves.
As far as we're concerned, the best way to explore Beyoğlu is on foot. Without any sort of plan you can easily stumble across areas such as the lovely Çukurcuma.
Most of the streets are pedestrianised, anyway, and some are so narrow not even a car could squeeze through.
However, if walking isn't your thing, you can also have a play around on the public transport of the area.
Nostalgic Tram
It's a case of nostalgia and necessity for the transport available to you.
Istiklal Caddesi is a roughly 2km pedestrianised stretch lined with stunning 19th-century European architecture, running from Taksim Square down to Tünel.
The only vehicle allowed to travel along the length of this iconic avenue is the historic Taksim–Tünel tram.
We’ve only been on the tram once as it’s always packed with people. And, well, you just can't beat a good old aimless amble and an about turn down a side street or passage should the fancy take you.
But, if all you want to do along Istiklal is view the grand buildings (or be able to say you went on the famous tram), then it's a good idea.
Trust me, it is NOT going to go too fast for you.
Architecture
There will be ample time to marvel at the architecture - and marvel at just how many people can squish up and down one street!
The tram crawls endlessly up and down the avenue, ringing its bell to warn off pedestrians and photo-hungry tourists who risk life and limb for the perfect head-on shot.
Yes, I've been one of them on numerous occasions. And I will be again, as I'm still not happy with the pics I've got!
Somehow (I have no idea how) the tram and pedestrians of Istiklal Caddesi co-exist successfully.
Nobody rushes to get out of the path of the tram. There's often nowhere else for them to go at that moment. And the tram doesn't hurtle along terrifying all.
It's a tolerant sharing of a tight space. And, for us, Istiklal Caddesi wouldn't be the same without it.
I'm going to do a continuation of the journey through Beyoğlu by public transport in our next article.
Continue your journey by jumping on the Tünel funicular!
@ Roving Jay: You'll love it. So much going on. Even a bit overwhelming at first. 🙂
I'm about to take my first trip to Istanbul - your posts about your recent trip are inspiring... I'm chomping at the bit to get there!
You should come Nancie. We love it! 🙂
This post makes me want to go to Turkey.
I bet they feel like aiming for the tourists sometimes Ayngelina 🙂
Connie - people watching heaven, that street! 🙂
I always walked up and down Istiklal when I lived in Istanbul last year! It's such a great place for people watching and finding cool new restaurants/cafes/bars/shops! I finally took a tram on my last days in Istanbul. It's quite slow, isn't it? =)
I'm sure the transit drivers love all the tourists weaving in and out trying to get photos 🙂