Galata Tower
According to locals, you’re supposed to marry whoever you climb Galata Tower with. I went up alone 🙃
Galata Tower reopened after restorations as a museum and observation deck in 2021. Originally a watchtower built in the 14th century, it used to be the tallest building in Constantinople.
A short walk from where we were staying off Istiklal, I knocked this activity out in about an hour and a half. There was a Salt Bae restaurant across the street, people taking wedding photos, and plenty of shopping along the way.
My friends apartment had a painting of what I thought was Icarus, but actually happened to be the legend of Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s wing designs, the Ottoman scientist engineered his own pair of wings to assist in unpowered flight. It is said that in 1638 he jumped from the roof of Galata Tower and made the first recorded intercontinental flight, landing on the Anatolian side of the city (it is also noted that the flight length was probably exaggerated). The Sultan Murad IV was supposedly both so impressed by and scared of Çelebi’s capabilities that he exiled him to Algeria.
I recommend allowing ample time to queue up for tickets. There’s a booth outside to buy tickets I was in line for, although after 10 minutes or so I was pushed into a different line to buy tickets inside. I’ve also read that if you buy the Istanbul Museum Pass you get to skip the line, so I think that would definitely be worth it if you’re hitting multiple attractions!
There’s an elevator up to the 7th floor, then two flights of stairs up to the observation deck. I tried to time my visit for sunset but was a bit early. Please note that you have to take the stairs all the way down to leave!
The 360º views let me take selfies in front of the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and Hagia Sophia.
Hours and Prices
The Galata Tower is open daily from 8.30am until 11pm. Note that the ticket office opens at 8.30am, but closes at 10pm.
In the winter months (between November 1 and April 1), the tower stays open until midnight.
As of August 2022, entrance to Galata Tower costs 175 TRY (9.75 USD).
