Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM)
A major concert hall and cultural center on Taksim Square, rebuilt and reopened in 2021. Its transparent facade makes it a striking modern landmark.
“To see the city's flagship modern cultural venue and its impressive glass facade on Taksim Square.”
See the exact spot on the map at right. The highlighted pin clearly marks this stop.
The AKM is a state-of-the-art cultural complex on the eastern side of Taksim Square, originally opened in 1969. After being demolished and rebuilt, it reopened in 2021 with a design by Murat Tabanlıoğlu, featuring a notable transparent facade engineered by Werner Sobek AG.
You can wander the lobby and public areas for free to see the architecture. If you're not catching a performance, it's a good spot to people-watch on the square and see a key piece of the city's modern cultural infrastructure.
The lobby cafe is a good place to take a break from the square's chaos; it's quieter and you can still see the buzz outside.
The main entrance and lobby areas have step-free access. Elevators provide access to different floors.
Keep going in Beyoğlu
A few places that pair well with this stop on the same day.
Galataport Istanbul
A massive 1.2 km waterfront development in Karaköy, combining a cruise terminal with shops, restaurants, the Istanbul Modern museum, and a hotel. It's a modern promenade right on the Bosphorus.
İstiklal Avenue
A 1.4-kilometer pedestrian street running through the heart of Beyoğlu. It's the city's main artery for strolling, shopping, and people-watching.
