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Galata Tower

This medieval stone tower offers stunning vistas over Istanbul.

Adults: 2 Children: 0

TravelCurious Tip

Combine a trip up the tower with a walk down nearby Istiklal Street.

Great heights

Galata Tower dominates the skyline of Istanbul. Nine stories high, it looms 67 metres above the city: the viewing platform provides incredible 360 degree views of Istanbul, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

The tower was first constructed as a defensive outpost in 1348; its Romanesque tower was the tallest in the city, and was built to replace the old Galata Tower, a nearby Byzantine structure largely destroyed in the 1204 Sack of Constantinople.

All along the watchtower

Galata’s conical cap was modified during the Ottoman period; at this time it was used as a lookout point for spotting fires in the city. In the 17th century, popular tales of the Ottoman aviator Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi tell that the tower was even host to his early attempts at flight.

The roof was destroyed in an 1875 storm before being reconstructed in the 1960s. Thankfully, two lifts were also installed during this last renovation. The tower is well worth a visit for the views alone, which have long been appreciated; panoramic photographs from the observation deck exist from as early as 1880. Today you can enjoy the view from the tower’s restaurant and café, and there is even a nightclub on the upper floors which features belly-dancing shows.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Istanbul

Separating East and West, the dramatic Bosphorus strait is perfect for a fabulous cruise.

Church of St. Anthony of Padua

Is the largest church of the Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul.

Roman Catholic Church Santa Maria Draperis

Is one of the most historic Roman Catholic churches in Istanbul.

Neve Shalom Synagogue

Located in the Karaköy quarter of Beyoğlu district, the synagogue was built due to an increase in the Jewish population in the old Galata neighborhood in the late 1930s.

One of the city's historic districts, dating back to the Byzantine Empire, the district is now full of cool shops and cafes.

Galata Köprüsü

The famous bridge over the Golden Horn, with wonderful views of old Istanbul.

Related Tours

Off the Beaten Path: Taksim to Galata Private Walking Tour

Explore the cultural heart of Istanbul for centuries on a walking tour, where East meets West, and where history meets modernity. On your private tour, you will:

Enjoy the comforts of a private vehicle throughout the tour, including hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Discover the vibrant Taksim Square - the central point of metropolitan Istanbul.
Explore the artistic Cihangir neighbourhood, and enjoy a soft drink & snack on one of Istanbul's most famous rooftops, which boasts spectacular views over the Bosphorus!
Visit the antique district of Çukurcuma where you will be able to find an astounding array of treasures.
Walk both the famed Istiklal shopping street and step off-the-beaten-path to explore small alleys and passageways full of charming eateries, shops and other surprises.
Visit the incredible landmark Church of St Anthony of Padua, Istanbul's largest Roman Catholic church.
Walk by the Neve Shalom Synagogue, the largest Sephardic synagogue in Istanbul.
Explore the Galata area, the old Genoese quarter, famed for the Galata Tower and artisanal shops.
Your tour ends at a café, with spectacular views over Istanbul’s Old town, where you can see the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar or you can enjoy a relaxing transfer back to your preferred location.

On your private walking tour of Istanbul, you will visit Istanbul’s cultural centre, which remains largely undiscovered by travellers. Enjoy a journey into the vibrant district of Beyoğlu, where you will explore several of its neighbourhoods, from Taksim to Galata. First, discover Taksim Square, one of the main centres in Istanbul, thronged with locals in cafes. Next, your private guide will help you discover CIhangir, where you will enjoy a respite, along with spectacular views of the Bosphorus. After, enjoy a walk through Çukurcuma, where antiquities and local treats abound. Enjoy meandering through the small streets of Istiklal, where you’ll discover hidden churches, passages, stalls, and taverns. Your tour finishes in the famed neighbourhood of Galata, the old Genoese quarter with its tower looming over the city. While in Galata, your guide will point you in the direction of great food and drink before departing.

All-Inclusive, Bosphorus Strait Cruise in a Private Yacht

Enjoy an all-inclusive, private sail of the Bosphorus, where you’ll see the best of the city’s spectacular skyline. Your tour comes complete with a captain, skipper, tour guide, food and drinks. On your private boating trip, you will:

Step into a world of luxury on a two-hour cruise down the Bosphorus Strait on a private yacht.
Enjoy the history of the magnificent strait from your private guide, who will point out the best of the sights, and engage with you according to your preference.
Find out the impact of the strait on Turkey’s foreign policy, since the strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean, and serves as the geographical border between Europe and Asia, and the world's narrowest strait used for international navigation.
Admire the striking Dolmabahce and Ciragan Palaces, the stunning jewel-like Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, the medieval Rumelian Castle, the Maiden's Tower, and colourful Yali Mansions.
Engage all your senses as you taste beautifully prepared appetisers made with local Turkish product (includes 1 glass of wine, a or bottle of beer per person, soft drinks, dried fruits, hams and cheeses, and bread).
Relax into the beauty of the city, and see some of the most iconic and beautiful views of Istanbul, with its fairytale skyline marked by the minarets of Haghia Sofia and the Blue Mosque.
Please note: This cruise is particularly stunning at sunset, so please contact us if you would like to make your trip a sunset cruise.

As the world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation, the importance of the Bosphorus Strait—and thus Istanbul’s existence—cannot be overstated. Still, the best way we know to learn about this critical waterway is simply to enjoy it in a luxurious way, at your own leisure on a private yacht.

Your guide will be sure to show you the city’s key highlights, including the stunning Dolmabahçe Palace, with its ostentatious façade, as well as the 15th century Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace, where Ottoman sultans spent their summers.

During the cruise, you will get the chance to truly experience the meeting of East and West, which comes together in the great city of Istanbul. While differences have been rooted within Turkish history, and have at times resulted in tension, the mix of different cultures and faiths in Istanbul has indeed fuelled the creation of the amazing, and utterly unique city that you see today. After two hours, your captain will dock in your original port, where you can then step off into the cool neighbourhood of Karaköy and enjoy the rest of your day or evening at your leisure.