Tünel Square, at the southwestern end of İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, is the upper terminus of Istanbul's little old 19th-century, two-station underground train system, the Tünel.
The "square" is really just a widening of the street.
It's a busy place because of people going to and from the Tünel, getting on and off the nostalgic tramway cars, seeking out the many cafes, restaurants and shops that crowd the historic Tünel Pasajı (opposite the Tünel entrance) and that line the narrow side streets northwest of the square, especially Sofyalı Sokak and Asmalımescit Sokak.
Just a few steps south of the square along Galipdede Caddesi is the historic Galata Mevlevihanesi (Galata Whirling Dervish Hall) where you can see the dervishes whirl several times each month. More...
The Tünel entrance (right) and nostalgic İstiklal Caddesi tram (left) in Tünel Square, Istanbul.
Follow Galipdede Caddesi downhill and you pass a number of Turkish musical instrument shops, a variety of other shops and workshops, and after a few minutes you come to the Galata Tower.
The grand Consulate-General of Sweden is just north of the square along Istiklal Caddesi on the way to Galatasaray Square.
To go from Tünel Square to Taksim Square, you can walk all the way along İstiklal Caddesi in a half hour or less; you can ride the Nostalgic Tram; or you can take the Metro from the Şişhane station right next to the Swedish consulate.
—by Tom Brosnahan
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