Taksim Square is the location of some very upscale hotels, as well as the Ataturk Cultural Center. Istakal Cad is the main road leading off from the square, and is an upscale shopping area during the day, and a club scene at night. There is a tram that runs up and down Istakal Cad, but it’s not really faster then walking, and closes early. At the bottom of Istakal Cad is the Tunel Metro, which is the world’s oldest (and shortest) subway. It’s only got one stop, and leads straight down to the port and Galata Bridge, near the fish market.Istakal Cad at night is an amazing scene, and is not to be missed. Be careful however to plan your route back. At midnight, we found ourselves a bit stranded: The Tunel was shut down, and there didn’t seem to be an easy way to get a bus back across to sultanahmet. We should have cabbed it, but instead decided to walk. It was a long walk down some very dark streets (with some nervous moments), back to the bridge, and on to the tramway (we caught the last one!) on the other side back to Sultanahmet. It was not a walk women should take alone. So, if you’re staying in Sultanahmet, either be prepared to take a cab ride home (and potentially be ripped off), or leave early while public transportation is still feasable.