Istiklal Street, one of Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian avenues, attracted a record 107 million visitors in 2025, marking an 18.7% increase from 90 million visitors in 2024. The figures were included in a research report which analysed visitor traffic, retail activity and occupancy across Istiklal Street, Bagdat Street, and Nisantasi.

Weekends Drive Strong Footfall

Daily visitor numbers on Istiklal Street approached 240,000 on weekdays and climbed to 427,000 on weekends, confirming its continued status as one of Istanbul’s busiest tourism and retail destinations.

The street’s performance reflects its enduring appeal to both local residents and international visitors, supported by its location near Taksim Square and its mix of cultural venues, historic buildings, shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment options.

Retail Occupancy Remains High

Retail activity also remained strong. Of the 275 stores on Istiklal Street, 265 were fully occupied in 2025, showing continued demand from brands seeking a presence in one of Turkey’s highest-footfall locations.

Clothing and footwear accounted for the largest share of stores at 35%, followed by food and beverage at 31% and cosmetics at 15%. Local brands represented 85% of the street’s retail mix, while international brands accounted for the remaining 15%.

Bagdat Street Also Sees Major Growth

On Istanbul’s Anatolian side, Bagdat Street recorded 41.2 million visitors, representing a 31.2% increase compared with 2024. The avenue attracted around 104,000 visitors on weekdays and 137,000 on weekends, supported by its strong mix of luxury, premium and local retail brands.

Despite ongoing urban transformation works, store occupancy remained high, with 296 of 309 shops fully occupied. Clothing and footwear led the retail mix at 30%, followed by food and beverage at 24%, and accessories and cosmetics at 18%.

Nisantasi Footfall Declines

Nisantasi, covering Rumeli, Teşvikiye, Vali Konağı and Abdi İpekçi streets, saw visitor numbers fall to 14.6 million. The drop was mainly attributed to lower foreign tourist footfall, particularly fewer Arab visitors, who have traditionally made up a notable share of pedestrian traffic in the area.

Istiklal Street Remains a Symbol of Istanbul Tourism

Stretching from Taksim Square towards Galata, Istiklal Street remains one of Istanbul’s defining urban landmarks. Its combination of historic architecture, cultural attractions, street performers, restaurants, boutiques, and easy access to nearby sites such as Galata Tower continues to make it one of Turkey’s most visited city destinations.