Is Istanbul safe for expats and tourists amid Imamoglu protests?
University students march in protest towards the Istanbul Municipality in Sarachane as they demonstrate against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Istanbul, on March 20, 2025 (AA Photo)
Protests in Istanbul after former mayor Ekrem Imamoglu‘s detention and arrest remain restricted in small parts of the city. The daily lives of residents, expats, and tourists remain largely unaffected. Police and protestors remain peaceful with no reports of cars being burnt, workplace windows broken, or pavement stones removed. Limited violent events are quickly handled by the riot police.
Touristic areas, including popular districts like Kadikoy, Sultanahmet, and Eminonu, continued to function without disruption. Historical areas such as the Vefa district near Sarachane, where the protests take place each evening, and the Grand Bazaar remained open, with businesses operating as usual.
The vibrant cafe and restaurant scene in Moda was not affected by the ongoing demonstrations. Similarly, daily activities along Baghdad Street and at the coastal park in Caddebostan have continued without interruption.
Major districts such as Bebek and Nisantasi were also unaffected by the restrictions, with both locals and tourists able to move freely.
The encounters between police and protesters, which occasionally appear on TV screens and are frequently seen on social media, only occur late in the day in Sarachane. After the protests are over, some groups and the police confrontation takes place in front of Sarachane’s Bozdogan Aqueduct in the late evening.
Istanbul’s metro stations reopen after temporary closure due to security measures
Public transportation in Istanbul has been a topic of concern for thousands of daily commuters following recent security measures. Last week, the Istanbul Governor’s Office ordered the temporary closure of several metro stations as a precautionary measure. Now, residents are eager to know whether Taksim Metro is operational again.
On March 19, the Istanbul Governor’s Office implemented security measures that led to the closure of multiple stations, including:
- Caglayan Station on the M7 Yildiz-Mahmutbey Metro Line,
- Emniyet-Fatih Station on the M1 Yenikapi-Ataturk Airport/Kirazli Metro Line,
- Taksim Station on the M2 Yenikapi-Haciosman Metro Line,
- Taksim-Kabatas Funicular Line.
However, Metro Istanbul has now confirmed that these stations are once again operational.
Is Taksim Metro Station open?
For days, Istanbul residents and expats have been closely monitoring updates about the reopening of Taksim Metro. According to the latest announcement from Metro Istanbul, the station is now fully functional again.
Following a comprehensive security assessment, authorities have decided to reopen Taksim Metro. As of March 24, the station has resumed accepting passengers.
Which metro stations are now open?
The temporary closures raised concerns among those relying on public transport. However, as per Metro Istanbul’s latest statement, services have returned to normal. The stations that have reopened as of March 24 include:
- Caglayan Station
- Emniyet-Fatih Station
- Taksim Station
- Taksim-Kabatas Funicular Line
Commuters can now travel along their usual routes without disruption. For the latest updates, it is advisable to follow announcements from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Metro Istanbul.
Which roads remain closed in Istanbul?
While metro services have resumed, some roads remain temporarily closed to traffic. As of now, the following streets are affected:
- Fevzipasa Avenue
- Macar Kardesler Avenue
- 15 Temmuz Sehitler Avenue
- Sehzadebasi Avenue
- Vezneciler Avenue
- Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasa Avenue
- Ataturk Boulevard
- Sahil Kennedy Avenue (between Samatya and Sirkeci)
- Resadiye Avenue
- Ragip Gumuspala Avenue
- Galata Bridge and surrounding areas
- Ataturk Bridge and its connected roads
Despite these temporary disruptions, Istanbul’s public transport remains largely unaffected. Expats and residents can continue their daily commute without major concerns.
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