Arts & Culture · 29 of the best in Istanbul
Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM)
Opera and ballet on Taksim Square
About Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM)
The Atatürk Cultural Center was rebuilt and reopened in 2021, with a large opera house under a red dome, theatres, a library and cafés on Taksim Square. It is the main stage of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet; check the programme on its official website.
Why it's on our list
- Opera and ballet
- Reopened 2021
- On Taksim Square
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- TaksimM2T2300 m4 min walk
- Fındıklı - MSÜT1550 m7 min walk
- Hüseyin Ağa CamiiT2650 m8 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Inonü Caddesi100 m1 min walk
- Taxi rank, Akyol Sokağı350 m4 min walk
Key sights
- Taksim Square300 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- İstiklal Avenue950 mWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Dolmabahçe Palace1.0 kmWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Galata Tower1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Galata Bridge2.2 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Spice Bazaar2.7 kmWalk 33 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Topkapı Palace2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque3.0 kmWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Hagia Sophia3.2 kmWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Grand Bazaar3.2 kmWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)31 kmCar or taxi 96 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)33 kmCar or taxi 102 min