The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower built in the 14th century. Back then, it was a watchtower but now it is an iconic landmark beside the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. This cylindrical structure is 67 m high and has a diameter of 16.5m. Galata Kulesi is the other name in Turkish. This tower offers a 360° view of the Istanbul city like never before.
Galata Tower: Then & Now
The approach road is inclined because it located on a hill. The tower is located in the Taksim Square vicinity. It is a 20 min walk and as we say, ”The city is best explored on foot”. This location is photographed in many movies and I was excited to visit Istanbul especially the Galata tower.
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Tickets and timings
1€ ~ 6.2 Turkish Lira (TL)
The ticket costs 35 TL for an adult (Cards are also accepted). The entry is free for children below 7 years. There are no special discounts for international students. However, you are eligible for a student discount if you are studying in Turkey.
The tower is open to the public from 9.00 am- 7.oo pm on all 7 days of the week.
Long queue
The best time to visit the tower is at 9.00 am. As the day progresses the queue builds up and the waiting time increases exponentially.
The queue
We reached the tower at 10.30 am and waited an hour. There is no proper place to sit as you wait. Many people were trying to break the queue and jump the annoying lines.
Inside the tower
There is a small screening and frisking at the entrance before you buy the tickets. Two elevators operate to the upper floor carrying up to 15 people at a time. The elevator doesn’t open into the viewpoint balcony, but it stops 1 level lower. You will have to take the narrow steps to reach the balcony.
The ticket counter and the security check
In the balcony, there is a restaurant and also a night club that hosts Turkish shows.
The view from the balcony
Beautiful, spectacular, splendid, impressive and the adjective goes on… The balcony offers a 360° view of the Istanbul city and it was beyond words. It was all worth the wait. There can’t be a better location to view the sea, mosques, Galata bridge and the famous bridge that connects Asia and Europe.
The view was so amazing that no camera can do justice to it. You have to see it to believe it. The balcony is very narrow and only 1 person can walk at a time. All we can say is, find an ideal location and just admire the view.
Around the tower
The areas around the tower are quite happening. The noted ones are the Serdar-i Ekrem Street, Buyuk Hendek Street and the Galip Dede Street. Don’t miss out on strolling these streets and don’t forget to buy postcards and souvenirs. The souvenirs are not expensive – a medium-sized tower model costs 20TL 3€ and postcards start from 20 cents.
My experience
Honestly, the tower did not look appealing from the outside and I assumed that the view is going to be ok-ish. But I was blown away by its incredible view and Galata tower surely took my heart away. This tower is ”See it believe it”.
Overall experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.
FAQs
Is Istanbul safe?Yes, it is very safe.
When is the best time to visit the tower?
At 9.00 am.
Are there restaurants nearby?Yes, many restaurants and cafes.
Is there a place to sit and wait?No, no dedicated waiting area.
Where to buy the souvenirs?
There are many shops near the tower.Time of visit: November 2019
