Book Galata Tower Tickets and Tours | Istanbul
Headout is a brand trusted by millions of guests worldwide offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
- Get a magnificent bird’s eye view of Istanbul from the top of the Galata Tower and enjoy a hassle-free experience with an express elevator to the lookout platform.
- Catch sight of landmarks like the Hagia Sophia Museum, Suleymaniye Mosque, or the Topkapi Palace.
- Be a local in Istanbul as you take to its ancient and vibrant streets between Taksim and Karaköy.
- Ride one of the oldest subways in the world before you explore Istiklal Street.
Inclusions
- Entry to Galata Tower
- Express elevator to the lookout platform of the Galata Tower
Exclusions
- Meals
- Hotel transfers
- Transport
- Tip: When exiting the metro station, ignore the Galata Tower signs and follow the signs towards Istanbul Galata Universitesi instead. You will arrive at Buyuk Hendek Cd. The tower is a four-minute (mostly downhill) walk from there.
- Your tickets will be sent to you 1 day prior to the visit date.
- These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 31 December, 2023.
- These tickets are valid until 31 December, 2023.
Combo: Galata Tower + Bosphorus Cruise Tickets
- Take advantage of this cost-effective combo and experience Istanbul's unforgettable attractions and skyline from both land and sea!
- Avoid the crowds and skip the lines at the Galata Tower, a relic of the Genoese community. Get a bird's-eye view of the sprawling city below you.
- Immerse yourself in Istanbul's storied past and breathtaking natural scenery with a 90-min Bosphorus cruise.
- Complete with an audio guide in 10 languages, sail past palaces like the historic Dolmabahçe Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, and other landmarks.
Inclusions
Galata Tower
- Fast track entry to Galata Tower
- Access to the express elevator
Bosphorus Cruise
- 90-min cruise
- Marine officer meet-and-greet before the cruise
- Bosphorus map
- One water/tea onboard the cruise
- Audio guide in 10 languages
Exclusions
Bosphorus Cruise
- Headphones
Galata Tower
- Tip: Witness the sunset from the tower to experience beautiful views of the city, with the light and shadows creating effects on the buildings and the water.
- If you have mobility issues or trouble climbing stairs, avoid ascending the tower's staircase which has more than 200 steps.
Bosphorus Cruise
- Tip: The cruise can be crowded during peak season, and on weekends, so it's best to visit during the week or during the off-season to avoid the crowds.
- The audio guide is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Polish, and Russian.
- Bring along your headphones for convenience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Istanbul Welcome Card with Access to Top Attractions
- Explore the Turkish metropolis with an Istanbul Welcome Card valid for 7 days. Save time with skip-the-line entry to key attractions and free hotel delivery of your cards.
- Get up to 10 free rides on the public transportation system across Istanbul including metro, tram, ferry, funicular, bus, and Metrobus.
- Set sail on the Bosphorus strait on a 90 min cruise. Get a 20% discount on Turkish baths, luxury yacht tours, the Whirling Dervish show, and more!
- Enjoy English-guided/audio-guided tours of ancient sights like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.
- Experience the lively local culture of Istanbul with 2 guided walking tours and to explore the renowned Grand Bazaar and Spice Market.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line access and entry tickets to attractions
- 10 rides with public transportation
- 60 min Blue Mosque tour with an English-speaking guide
- 30 min Hagia Sophia highlights tour
- 30 min Topkapi Palace highlights tour
- 30 min Basilica Cistern highlights tour
- Unlimited stay inside each museum
- 90 min Bosphorus Cruise
- 2 Istanbul walking tours
- Audio guide app in 9 languages
- Digital guide book & map
Exclusions
- Skip-the-line service for Hagia Sophia
- Entrance into Harem of Topkapi
- Tip: Research and plan out your itinerary beforehand so that you can make the best use of your Istanbul Welcome Card!
- Your card will be valid for 7 days (in hours) after first use.
- The Museum Pass included with the card is valid for 5 days from first use. Only one-time entry is allowed at each museum.
- Audio Guide App is available in the following 9 Languages: English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish. The app can be downloaded on your smartphone prior to the visit.
- Skip-the-line line tickets let you skip ticket lines, not the security line.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Galata Tower is an iconic Turkish monument, which is known as one of the oldest and tallest towers in Istanbul. This centuries-old observatory tower was erected in the 14th century as a part of the defense wall surrounding the district, directly opposite ancient Constantinople. Learn all about getting your Galata Tower tickets and what you can expect from a visit to the venue.
Why Visit Galata Tower
Rich History
Galata Tower is a symbolic landmark of Istanbul and is a tourist hotspot. Originally named the Tower Of Christ, this famous observatory dominates the Beyoğlu skyline since 1348 when the Genoese Colony built this 220-foot high tower inside the city walls of their colony called Galata. It was primarily built to be a defense tower but it soon became an astronomical observatory.
Scintillating Views
The topmost floor of the tower is known for the stellar 360 degree panoramic views of the city. From here you can enjoy the breathtaking skyline of Istanbul, including the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and the Historical Peninsula. In the 19th century, many artists drew the panoramic view of Istanbul from the Galata Tower.
Your Galata Tower Tickets Explained
Galata Tower Tickets And Walking Tour
Witness unparalleled panoramic views of Istanbul from the oldest towers in the city. This walking tour begins at the iconic Galata Tower from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Istanbul including the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Suleymaniye Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. After this you will be taken through the world’s oldest subways (Tünel) before heading to the highlight of the tour - Istiklal Street which is a 1.4 kilometer-long street featuring a rich collection of music stores, book stores, art galleries, pubs, and theaters, the avenue is also home to several Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic Ottoman-era buildings.
Your ticket is valid for the date and time selected while booking, but you can avail of a full refund if you cancel this ticket up to 24 hours before the schedule.
Discounted Galata Tower Tickets
Kids under 5 years of age can enter Galata Tower Istanbul for free.
Plan Your Visit to Istanbul Galata Tower
Galata Tower Opening Hours
Galata Tower Istanbul is open from 9 AM - 7 PM daily.
Best Time to Visit Galata Tower
If you want to skip the crowds, it is suggested that you visit early in the morning during the opening time or late in the evening, near the closing time.
Galata Tower is located at Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey. Google Map Directions
Galata Tower can be reached by Bus, Tram, and even the Underground Metro.
By Tram: Take the T1 metro to Karaköy station, which is the closest station to Galata Tower.
By Metro: Take the M2 metro to Sishane. It is a 4 min walk from there to Galata Tower.
By Bus: Buses 28, 30D, 38B, 66, 78, 93, and 99A go to Galata Tower.
- Galata Konak Café: A short walk away from Galata Tower lies this hidden restaurant with rooftop seating and a beautiful ambiance with similar views to the Galata Tower, this restaurant is a must-visit when you are visiting Galata’s finest.
- Bee Bubble: Walk down from the Şişhane metro station onto Istiklal Street to find the Bee Bubble (formerly Cha’ya Galata). With nearly 30 varieties of tea available, this cafe is a nice stopover for some pastries and tea. You can even bring your laptop and work from here while you enjoy the ambiance & the peaceful setting.
- Dürümzade: Tourists are usually used to posh cafes & quaint restaurants around Galata but if you are a person looking for a quick, pocket friendly but delicious bite, head to Dürümzade. A hole-in-the-wall restaurant, it serves up delicious beef, chicken, or lamb kebab wrapped in flavorful flatbread and garnished with parsley, onions, and tomato.
- Soho House Istanbul: Stay in this luxurious boutique hotel that is situated in Beyoglu district, Soho House. This hotel has a courtyard garden with a Cecconi’s restaurant and their cowshed spa offers a gym and a traditional hammam!
- 10 Karakoy Istanbul: Just a 10-minute walk from Galata Tower and the popular Istiklal Street lies 10 Karaköy İstanbul. Karakoy is one of the up-and-coming trendy places in Istanbul that has plenty of restaurants, clubs, and pubs and is a tourist hotspot!
- Bankerhan Hotel Galata: A short walking distance from the Galata Tower, the historic building of Bankerhan Hotel offers its residents a beautiful city view from its rooms.
- The Galata Istanbul Hotel MGallery: Situated in the Beyoglu district, a short 200 meters away from the historic Galata Tower, MGallery by Sofitel provides a beautiful & luxurious stay to its guests. This property has a rooftop bar, marble fittings, and a calming sauna for its guests to enjoy.
Galata Tower Istanbul is famous for its surrounding areas which are filled with shops, restaurants, clubs, and cafes. You can splurge at your heart’s content in these narrow alleyway shops that have everything from musical instruments to Turkish Wines to the flea markets that sell trendy clothes.
If you are a musical person, head to Galip Dede Street where you will find everything from a mediator to old domra or oud. If you are a guitar fanatic, you would also get some great choices to choose from and indulge in.
If you want to shop for clothes, head to Atelier on Serdar-ı Ekrem. You will get a wide variety to choose from starting from biker boots and ranging to mini dresses, bracelets neon pants, etc. You will also find a variety of these on sale so look carefully and while you are at it, you can also grab a coffee at a cafe outside.
Galata Tower Tickets: FAQs
Yes, you can now purchase tickets to Galata Tower online to reduce contact transmission.
The cancellation policy for the Galata Tower walking tour is super flexible. You will get a full refund upon canceling this tour up to 24 hours before schedule.
The tour tickets are valid for the date selected during checkout.
You can book your tickets to the walking tour at least 6 months in advance.
The restaurant inside Galata Tower has been shut down after the recent renovation.
Galata Tower has the most beautiful view of Istanbul from its top-floor observatory which overlooks the entire city, including the Bosphorus, Hagia Sophia Museum, and the Topkapi Palace, and is a must-visit.
Yes, Galata Tower has recently been renovated after the Covid 19 pandemic and it is safe to visit as covid 19 protocols such as frequent sanitization, social distancing, and temperature check are being implemented.
The best time to visit Galata tower is in the early morning and the late evening so you can enjoy smaller crowds.
Yes, visitors are allowed to take pictures inside the monument.
The neighborhood around Galata Tower is famous for its quaint cafes and restaurants that are famous amongst tourists.
The best way to purchase your Galata Tower tickets is to get them online as it offers you a safe, contactless experience and you can also avail of discounts offered by third-party ticketing websites.
Yes, Galata Tower Istanbul is wheelchair accessible as there is an elevator that takes the viewers to the topmost floor.