İstiklal Avenue (Independence Avenue), historically known as the Grand Avenue of Pera is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul, visited by nearly one million people in a single day over the course of weekends.
The avenue, surrounded by late Ottoman-era buildings, starts from Tünel Square and leads up to Taksim Square.
Located in the historic Beyoğlu (Pera) district, it is an elegant pedestrian street, 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) long, which houses boutiques, music stores, bookstores, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs with live music, historical patisseries, chocolateries and restaurants.
