Square in Istanbul
Taksim Square is the modern heart of Istanbul’s European side, anchored by the Republic Monument and the starting point of Istiklal Avenue. Free. The square is a transport hub, a gathering point, and the symbolic center of secular modern Turkey. Budget travelers pass through it on the way to Istiklal and Beyoglu and use it as the orientation point for the “new city” side of Istanbul.
Practical
On foot
Free and low-cost routes that stop at Taksim Square.
The Bosphorus Shoreline Walk follows the European waterfront from the Ortakoy neighborhood toward Bebek, passing Ottoman-era wooden mansions, waterfront cafes, and views across to the Asian shore. Free and one of the best self-guided walks in Istanbul.
Nearby
Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
Balat is a historic neighborhood on the Golden Horn, the former Jewish and Greek quarter of Istanbul, now a colorful district of painted houses, antique shops, cafes in converted warehouses, and the Chora Church nearby. Free to walk.
The Basilica Cistern is a vast underground water storage chamber from the 6th century, supported by 336 marble columns in atmospheric low lighting. Entry costs a modest fee.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is free to enter and famous for over 20,000 handmade Iznik tiles covering the interior. Visitors enter outside of prayer times through a side entrance.
The cheapest way to "cruise" the Bosphorus is the public commuter ferry that runs between the European and Asian sides. A crossing from Eminonu to Kadikoy or Uskudar costs the same as a bus ride (a few lira with an Istanbulkart).
The Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) is a Byzantine church in the city walls district, famous for its 14th-century mosaics and frescoes that are considered among the finest surviving examples of Byzantine art. Entry conditions vary (it has alternated between museum and mosque status).
Ciragan Palace is a 19th-century Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus waterfront between Ortakoy and Besiktas, now operating as a luxury hotel. Free to view from the outside and the Bosphorus shoreline walk.
Working out what Istanbul costs?
The whole of Istanbul