Image credit: rudi1976What
The Galata Tower, also known as the Tower of Christ, is a medieval stone tower in Istanbul that offers 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
The 9-storey tower was built in 1348 by the Genoese colony and stands 66.90 meters tall. It was Istanbul’s tallest structure at the time of its completion.
The Galata Tower underwent several restorations after being destroyed numerous times. In fact, it remained without its cone-shaped roof after a major damage caused by a storm in 1875. The roof was reconstructed only in the 1960s.
Why
Istanbul, with its surrounding bodies of water and beautiful historical structures, is best seen from a high point like the Galata Tower. Nowhere else in Istanbul sightseers can enjoy a better vista of the city as well as a panorama of the two continents.
You can spot a lot of Istanbul’s famous sites like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace from the tower’s observation deck.
To double your satisfaction, visit the tower at night and enjoy the fantastic evening view of Istanbul over Turkish food at the Galata Tower restaurant. You can also opt for the daytime service of the cafeteria which serves lesser priced meals.
Visitor’s information
The tower is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00. Entrance fee is 10 TL ($3.38) for Turkish citizens and 20 TL ($6.76) for foreigners.
Daily opening hours of the Galata Tower restaurant is from 20:00 to 00:30.
