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Istanbul, Turkey

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There's a new aura of excitement in Istanbul these days, as this centre of the Ottoman empire has become one the world's focal points for art, fashion, haute cuisine and nightlife. Of course there's always an abundance of ancient monuments and grand mosques with stunning frescoes to see here, like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Head to any park and you'll see why tulips have long been the symbol of this city. Explore more of Istanbul on a Middle Eastern cruise!

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What you NEED TO KNOW

Featured Istanbul CRUISE ITINERARIES

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey is one of the world's most interesting cities. Cruise passengers get a striking view of the minaret-pierced skyline as the ship pulls into port. The treasures are plentiful here; visitors marvel at the great architectural triumph of the Blue Mosque, the glorious frescoes and mosaics of the Chora Church and the amazing Grand Bazaar.

Port of Istanbul/ Galataport Istanbul Cruise Terminal Kilicali Pasa Mah. Meclis-I Mebusan Cad. No: 8 Ic Kapi No: 102, 34433 Beyoglu Istanbul Turkey

Directions to   Galataport Istanbul Cruise Terminal from  Istanbul International Airport (IST) : - Get on D020 in Ihsaniye from Vecihi Hürkus Cd. Merge onto D020 and use the 2nd from the left lane to turn slightly left onto Hasdal Kemerburgaz Yolu/D020. Continue straight to stay on Hasdal Kemerburgaz Yolu/D020. Use the right lane to take the ramp to F.S.M. Köprüsü/Kadiköy/Ankara. Merge onto Istanbul Çevre Yolu/O-2/E80. Take the exit toward Hasdal-Okmeydani Baglantisi/Nurtepe Viyadügü. Continue onto Hasdal-Okmeydani Baglantisi/Nurtepe Viyadügü. Continue to follow Hasdal-Okmeydani Baglantisi. Use the left 2 lanes to turn slightly left onto Piyalepasa Baglanti Yolu. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Kasimpasa/Dolapdere/Taksim/Aksaray and merge onto Piyalepasa Blv. Continue straight to stay on Piyalepasa Blv. Slight right onto Fisekhane Deresi Cd. Continue onto Dereboyu Cd., then continue onto Bülent Demir Cd. Turn left onto Turabi Baba Cd. Keep right to continue on Evliya Çelebi Cd. Use any lane to turn right onto Refik Saydam Cd. Use the left lane to take the ramp to Karaköy/Kabatas. Turn left onto Kemeralti Cd, and continue onto Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. Directions to  Sarayburnu Port  from  Istanbul International Airport (IST) : - Take Terminal Cd to Kuzey Marmara Otoyolu/O-7. Merge onto Kuzey Marmara Otoyolu/O-7, take the exit onto O-7. Take the exit toward Aksaray/Köprüsü/Ankara. Merge onto Avrupa Otoyolu/O-3/E80, take the O-3 exit toward Aksaray, continue onto Avrupa Otoyolo/O-3. Use the right 2 lanes to take the exit toward Okmeydani/Ankara. Continue onto Istanbul Çevre Yolu/O-1/D100. Take the exit toward Ayvansaray/Eyüp. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Unkapani/Eminönü/Sultanahmet/Taksim and merge onto Ayvansaray Cd. Merge onto Ayvansaray Cd.. Continue onto Mürselpasa Cd., continue onto Abdülezelpasa Cd. Use the left 2 lanes to turn slightly left onto Ragip Gümüspala Cd. Use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right to stay on Ragip Gümüspala Cd. (signs for Sirkeci/Sultanahmet/Sahilyolu). Continue straight onto Kennedy Cad. Destination will be on the left. 

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Istanbul Cruise Port (Galataport) Map

What to do in istanbul from a cruise ship for a day.

If you’re visiting Istanbul by cruise ship, we can say that you’ll have about 6 to 12 hours to explore the city . To help you plan your cruise layover in Istanbul, we put together a quick guide on what to in Istanbul for a day below. You can choose the tours below regarding your stopover time. If you will have 12 hours layover, than you can explore the city’s all the best attractions for sure with our guide below.

And if you will have 24 to 72 hours Istanbul stay, than you are very lucky that you can explore all of the city’s sights and sounds very effectively.

A Brief Info & Insider Advice

If you have only one day or less to spend in Istanbul, the best way to get the most out of the city is to visit the famous Sultanahmet neighborhood and see the couple of Istanbul’s must-see sights there. Sultanahmet will sure give you the ultimate Istanbul experience in a nutshell.

We also recommend you to visit the Galata and Taksim neighborhoods , the modern part of the city.

No Regrets Booking Advice

General map of top sights.

Below you can see the top attractions and sights of the city from an aerial view, with top neighborhoods. You can have a general idea of how to get around.

Cruise Ship Passenger Itinerary : 6 hours

You will only need to take a tram as for transportation, for our Istanbul cruise ship passenger tour itinerary. So get an IstanbulKart that you can have access all the public transportation network of Istanbul.

One ride is only 4,03 TL (about €0,4), and you can obtain this card (with 13 TL initial fee) at the ticket machines at any tram station near the Istanbul Cruise port.

If you’ll have an overnight stay, 1 day or plus 1 day layover, please check out our one day Istanbul itinerary or 3 day Istanbul itinerary , as well as Istanbul attractions opening hours & admissions .

Stop-1 -> Sultanahmet Square (1,5 hours)

Your cruise ship boarded at Galataport and you’re free to go now! You are just in the heart of Istanbul, no need for a shuttle or transfer for the city center.

Head up to Tophane tram stop on foot, take tram to Sultanahmet . After about 20 minutes, you are now by the Sultanahmet Square , one of the most tourist area of the city with loads of historic sights such as mosques, churches, museums, etc.

Once being a Byzantium hippodrome from the 4th century, the square itself hosts the famous historic places and sights that include; the Egyptian Obelisk , the  Serpentine Column , the  Colossus  or the  Column of Costantine Porphyrgenitus  and the  German Fountain .

Enjoy the sights and sounds here (about 1 hour) and make sure you visit at least one of these greatest sights of the city, by entering inside: Hagia Sophia Museum (1 hour), Topkapi Palace Museum (1,5 hours), Blue Mosque (45 minutes), Istanbul Archaeology Museums (1 hour), Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (1 hour), and Basilica Cistern (45 minutes). We recommend Hagia Sophia .

For the other museums and sights, you don’t have enough time to explore them all, and even looking the other sights from the outside will be a unique experience in itself.

Before you head up to Hagia Sophia, you can have a rest for 15 minutes, and try Turkish coffee or any other drinks at the several good cafes around the Sultanahmet Square.

Stop-2 -> Hagia Sophia Museum (1 hour)

Dating back to 325, Hagia Sophia is a former church and mosque and declared as one of the world’s greatest architectural works and accepted as the 8th wonder of the world.

This amazing landmark is situated just by the Sultanahmet Square. You should buy Hagia Sophia Fast Track Entry Ticket (plus guidance and audio app) to avoid the long queues as you have very limited time.

• Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket  (fastest option and cheapest price on net)
• Combo: Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern & Hagia Sophia Tour (one of the best)
• Hagia Sophia: Guided Highlights Tour and In-App Audio Guide (great one)
• Combo Ticket & Tour ( all in one - Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern, our favorite , no need to look for else, trust us)
• Hagia Sophia: Entry with Guided Tour (good one)

You’ll feel hungry after the Hagia Sophia tour. You can find loads of tourist cafes and restaurants along the Sultanahmet Square and along the tram road.

We’d recommend Historical 1920 Sultanahmet Koftecisi  (Divan Yolu Str., No: 12) to taste the delicious grills meat balls and the sweet Semolinacake . Expect to spend about €8,00 a person for this menu.

Stop-3 -> Taksim & Istiklal Street (1,5 hours)

Take the tram from Sultanahmet to Kabatas (20 minutes – last stop), and there take the funicular (5 minutes) to reach Taksim .

You’are now in the famous Taksim Square . Take some photos along the square and start your walking tour along the Istiklal Street .

Istiklal Street is probably the most famous street and entertainment area in Istanbul. It is a long colorful pedestrian street full of all kind of shops, restaurants, cafes and street shows.

You can visit one of these sights by entering inside: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum  (30 minutes), the amazing St. Anthony of Padua Church (30 minutes) and Pera Museum (30 minutes). We recommend St.Anthony of Padua Church .

You’ll finish off Istiklal Street heading Tunel Square (end of the Istiklal Street) and walking downhill from the Galip Dede ramp until you reach the Galata Tower .

You’ll find and enjoy variety of lovely craft, souvenir and music shops as well as a couple of art galleries along the Galip Dede ramp .

Stop-4 -> Galata Tower (1 hour)

Galata Tower , topped with a distinctive witch’s-hat roof, is one of the most impressive and popular landmarks in Istanbul. Dating back to 14th century, the tower is an old Genoese tower overlooking the city that rises to a height of 72 meters above its base.

Galata Tower serves as a popular tourist sight, that its  observatory deck has a 360 degrees view of Istanbul . There are two elevators in the entrance that takes you to the top. You’ll find amazing views of the Historical Peninsula, Golden Horn and Bosphorus on top that encompasses Istanbul. Take photos, as much as you can.

You can spend here about  30 to 45 minutes .

From the Galata Tower, you can stroll along the sweet narrow streets with variety of shops, take photos, and walk another 15 minutes along the coast to get back to the cruise port.

After Dinner & Night-time Activities

If you have an overnight stay, or have enough time for the evening activities, you can;

* Have a snack or drink in one of the rooftop restaurants and cafes in Galata and Karakoy neighborhood, along with the beautiful views of Bosphorus.

* Finish the night in one of the taverns, bars or restaurants at the Nevizade or Asmalimescit , along Istiklal Street in Taksim with a Turkish cuisine.

* Or spend the night in one of the music clubs , bars or pubs in the Galata or Taksim neighborhood.

* Or if you want something exciting, unique and special with lively shows, such as Turkish classical music, belly dancing, whirling dervishes, or folkloric shows, than we highly recommend the below programs:

• Whirling Dervishes Show at Hodjapasha Culture Center (daily at 19:00-20:00) or Orient Express Hall (daily at 19:30-20:30), in Sirkeci
• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment (daily at 20:00-23:00, from Kabatas)

Keep in mind that should be around Galata or Karakoy as to access the port on foot in about 15-20 minutes.

How to get from the Cruise Port to the City Center?

You are lucky that Istanbul’s current temporary Cruise port is located in the heart of the city, very close, within walking distance to all popular sights and sounds of the historic center of the city. The best way to get to the Istanbul major tourist zones, which are Sultanahmet, Galata and Taksim, is to take the Bagcilar-Kabatas tram (T1 line)  or taking public buses.

You can check the Istanbul Railway Network Map  for the Tram stops and  Istanbul Ferry Lines Map  for ferries.

You can also catch a taxi , but this will definitely be the most expensive way, although you will feel comfortable in getting back your cruise on time.

You can buy Private Guided Istanbul’s Highlights Tour to save yourself from the hassle of all those arrangements.

How to Get Around Istanbul?

You may find variety of options for getting around Istanbul. We can say that, from your Cruise port, the popular sights and sounds of the city can be accessed by walking or via short tram ride.

The three busiest areas for tourists, that include Sultanahmet ,  Galata  and  Taksim , are easy to get around on foot. Istanbul offers a huge network of public transportation that include;  buses  and  railways  such as  metro, tram systems  and  Marmaray . You may read more on our Getting Around Istanbul and Public Transportation page.

How to Save Money in Istanbul?

Attraction discount cards.

There are variety of sightseeing discount passes and cards for Istanbul, which is one of the best ways to save money during your stay in Istanbul.

However, most of the Istanbul travel passes and cards are not very well-suited for a very short visit from a cruise ship, such as popular travel passes and cards like Istanbul E-Pass , Istanbul Tourist Pass , and Istanbul Museum Pass  are unlikely to save you enough money to justify the investment unless you have more than 1 day in Istanbul.

Anyways these cards and passes will generate very good savings to you in comparison to when you buy the attraction tickets at ticket window on location. They also will provide fast track entry.

Top Discount Cards and Combo Tickets

Combo tickets for hagia sophia, topkapi palace & basilica cistern.

Valid for 3 days, digital pass, no need a printed ticket, guidance service with certified guides.

Buy Combo Tickets

Our website visitors will get 5% extra discount.

Online City Pass – Istanbul Tourist Pass

Istanbul Tourist Pass is a digital travel discount card that provides entrance and transportation tickets to many of Istanbul’s top tourist attractions along with several guided museum tours with skip-the-line access in a simple, useful, convenient and fun way.

Rather than paying for each item individually, the pass allows you to choose from 75+ things to do in Istanbul so you can pack as much into your stay as possible for a single set price. You’ll get valuable discounts of up to 75% .

After you purchase the pass, it will be delivered to mobile phone and will be ready to use at upon arrival.

There are four types of Istanbul Tourist Pass (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10-Day) .

Buy Your Istanbul Tourist Pass Online Now

Wanna learn more about Istanbul Tourist Pass?

Make Bargains when you make Shopping

We recommend you to bargain when you make shopping in any of the tourist and souvenir shops. You can be sure that you’ll get a good discount when you make bargains. In addition, some establishments such as local shops, boutiques offer good discounts when you pay in cash as they won’t want to pay a percentage to the credit card company.

Also, especially to take the advantage of good discounts on shopping, we recommend you to carry cash TRY. We don’t know would you be able have TRY cash from your cruise ship, but you should know that you can get Turkish Liras from the ATMS or Banks near your cruise port. And we recommend you to carry small notes such as 5,10,20, 50 TRY.

You may read our Turkish Money page for more information on where to obtain it to how to spend it and familiarize yourself with Turkish currency.

Use Public Transport Card when getting around the city

We recommend you to use public transport card when getting around the city. The whole public transportation system can easily be accessed with a single transportation card, which is  Istanbulkart .

And note that you can get around all the popular cruise port nearby sights and attractions of Istanbul via Trams .

You can check the Istanbul Railway Network Map  for the Tram stops  and  Istanbul Ferry Lines Map  for ferries.

Best Tours for Cruise Ship Visitors

We highly recommend the below great value for money Istanbul tours for cruise ship passengers. You’ll get the best deals with quality service for sure. You won’t be late to your ship and avoid possible tourist traps.

Here we only suggest the proven ways and top rated ones with travelers’ comments. You can feel free to book one of the below top selling tours designed for cruise ship visitors.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts

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Hello from Istanbeautiful team!

As being locals with over 40 years of experience living in Istanbul, we are here to help you plan your tourist, business or medical Istanbul visit and days with ease.

You will find inspiration, key traveler information, tips and resources to help you make the most of your trip whether you are a first-time (maybe 10th) visitor to Istanbul or an expat, resident here wanting to see more of our beautiful city.

Read more about us…

Insider Advice: Kickstart your Istanbul adventure with Istanbul E-Pass or Istanbul Tourist Pass . These passes provide free access to top attractions with around 70% savings .

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The World’s First Underground Cruise Ship Terminal

Positioned as a homeport, Galataport Istanbul is a world-class cruise ship port that is set to vitalize cruise tourism across an extensive region from the Mediterranean basin to the Black Sea. An exemplary project worldwide and a groundbreaking innovation thanks to its special hatch system that enables the terminal to be placed underground, Galataport Istanbul is transforming the Karaköy coastline, which had been closed to public access for a long time, into one of the best promenades in the city. 

The hatch system separates the customs and security (ISPS) areas when there is no ship berthed at the port creating a temporary customs area and keeping the promenade open to public.

Passenger Ramp

Passport Control

Bus Parking Area

Check-in Point

Galataport Istanbul’s hatch system, the first of its kind in the world, and a 29,000-square meter underground cruise ship terminal have enabled the passengers and crew of cruise ships a comfortable and safe travel experience in accordance with the new normal. Equipped with the latest technologies and four-times larger than the previous structure, Galataport Istanbul’s entire passenger and luggage traffic has been carried underground. These include passport control and customs as well as road access by taxi, minibuses and tour buses, enabling unrestricted view of the sea. The facility also has underground parking space for 2,400 vehicles. 

TECHNICAL DETAILS  

29000 sqm underground terminal 

A hatch system comprising 176 pieces of 3 meters high hatches 

Daily capacity of three ships and 15,000 passengers 

Storage capacity for 15,000 luggage items

Total conveyor length of 1,200 meters

Modern Design Inspired by Ancient Cisterns  

Galataport Istanbul Cruise Ship Terminal has been designed to meet the needs and expectations of every type and class of cruise ship and every segment of passengers. The terminal is set to offer an amazing experience to 25 million visitors, including 7 million foreign tourists and 1.5 million cruise ship passengers. As the entrance and exit point for visitors to the country, the terminal was designed to be as aesthetic as it is functional to leave a profound first impression on passengers. 

The terminal follows international standards in all passenger, luggage and passport control services and operations, which are entirely underground. The terminal has been designed by Istanbul-based architecture firm Autoban, whose accurate conceptualization of passenger movements and terminal functions contribute to the visitor experience. 

Galataport Istanbul’s design follows a modern approach that reflects the historical value of the port and the cultural tapestry of surrounding districts like Karaköy and Beyoğlu. The project is located in Karaköy, right across and within close proximity of the historical peninsula. Drawing on the cultural heritage of the region, the design concept is based on ancient cisterns, especially those constructed during the reign of Roman and Byzantine empires. Istanbul boasts several, including the Basilica Cistern and the Cistern of Philoxenos, which are key historical landmarks and highly popular tourist attractions. 

Rounded columns and the structural shape of the terminal’s interior reflect the architectural quality and character of these ancient cisterns. To create a sense of direction, the terminal also features distinct materials in the directions of the Topkapı Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace, the first and the last administrative centers of the Ottoman Empire.

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Galataport (Istanbul Cruise Port) Map → Updated 2024

29 November 2023 by Serhat Engül

Galataport , the Istanbul Cruise Port, was redesigned as a wonderful shopping and activity center after many years of restoration. There are many things to do around Galataport, which is located in one of the most beautiful spots in the city.

There are branches of Istanbul’s best restaurants, cafes and Turkish dessert shops inside Galataport. In this way, Galataport functions as a showcase promoting a city famous for its food.

Inside Galataport is the Istanbul Modern Art Museum , one of the city’s most important art centers. In addition, there is another museum where the painting and sculpture collection of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University is exhibited.

With all these features, Galataport has become an important stop among the places to visit in Istanbul . It can take a whole day to see the museums and squares of Galataport and visit the historical monuments around it.

Table of Contents

Istanbul Cruise Port (Galataport) Map

As you can see from the Galataport map , Istanbul Cruise Port is located in one of the most central areas of the city. I created the image by processing Google Maps. Although it is primitive, it will give you an idea about the location of Galataport.

The borders of Galataport start from Karakoy , which is the transportation hub of Beyoglu (southwest part of the blue line). The Galaport complex, which continues along the Tophane district, ends before arriving at the Findikli Tram Station (northeast part of blue line).

The part where the light blue extends in the form of a thin and long line includes Galataport’s seaside buildings and walking track. There are hotels, shopping places and the Istanbul Modern Museum on this long line.

On the other hand, in the main part marked with a square , there is the passenger terminal of the Istanbul Cruise Port. In addition, restaurants and cafes of Galataport are located around the terminal.

You can easily find most of the places to visit around Galataport by looking at this map. In the following lines of the article, you can find a list of tourist attractions located around Istanbul Cruise Port (Galataport).

Things to Do in Galataport 2024

Things to do in Galataport include seeing century-old mosques, visiting art galleries, shopping from famous brands and eating at Istanbul’s most famous restaurants.

1. Istanbul Modern Art Museum

Istanbul Modern Art Museum was opened in the early 2000s by transforming an old warehouse by the sea with modern architecture. The most striking work in the museum’s early period was Richard Wentworth ‘s design called False Ceiling.

Although Modern Art has a short history in Turkey, it quickly increased its audience and became popular. IKSV (Cultural Foundation) organized many exhibitions to introduce modern art to Istanbulites.

Later, it was decided to rebuild the museum and place it in the center of the Istanbul Cruise Port. The design of the new museum was created by Italian architect Renzo Piano .

Istanbul Modern has been serving at its temporary location on Mesrutiyet Street for several years. However, when the construction of the new museum inside Galataport is completed, the artifacts will also be transferred here.

2. Painting and Sculpture Museum

The Painting and Sculpture Museum is affiliated with the Fine Arts Faculty of Mimar Sinan University. The museum has a large collection starting from the last period of the Ottoman Empire to the end of the 20th century (Republican era).

The museum occupies a building designed by award-winning architects. If you look at the Istanbul Cruise Port from afar, you can easily choose this elegant building with contemporary architecture.

3. Ara Guler Photography Exhibition

Ara Guler Photography Exhibition is a small art gallery that you will come across while wandering the streets of Galataport. This painting exhibition inside a cafe features the works of Turkey’s most important photographer.

Ara Guler gained worldwide fame in the 20th century and became one of the Magnum Photographers . Guler immortalized the 50s and 60s of Istanbul with his black and white photographs.

Ara Guler Photography Museum , dedicated to the artist, is located in Sisli, one of today’s modern districts. However, some paintings from his “Istanbul Harbor” collection can be seen in this small gallery.

4. Nusretiye Mosque

Nusretiye Mosque is an ostentatious 18th century structure that you can see when you look towards the square with the sea behind you. The mosque is the most prominent building in Galataport’s square.

Nusretiye has the sharpest baroque lines among the mosques in Istanbul . The reason for this is that it was made by Mahmud II , who made great reforms in the Ottoman Empire and reorganized the army in the Western order.

Mahmud II realized that the Ottoman Empire was far behind the West in terms of technology and military in the 1700s, and he embarked on a major reorganization. The traces of this westernization can be seen in the architecture of the mosque he had built.

5. Tophane Clock Tower

Tophane Clock Tower is one of the first historical monuments to be seen by those arriving by cruise ship in Istanbul. This Ottoman tower from 1905 adorns the square of Galataport today.

The Clock Tower is one of the works in the large square on the land side of Galataport, and there is the Nusretiye Mosque on one side of the tower, and the Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque on the other.

6. Tophane Fountain

Tophane Fountain is one of the most eye-catching public fountains from the Ottoman period. Back then, those who wanted to do charity work would build fountains in the squares.

Tophane Fountain is located on the southwest side of Galataport Square and is adjacent to Tophane Station of Tram T1, the closest public transportation vehicle to cruise passengers.

7. Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque

Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque is located right next to previous Tophane Fountain. The mosque was built for Ali Pasha, one of the admirals in the peak years of the Ottoman Empire. Ali Pasha, who is of Italian origin, received the title of “Kilic” (sword) because of his boldness.

The most distinctive feature of Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque is that it has the most similar interior to a Byzantine church in Ottoman architecture. The reason for this is that the admiral who built the mosque was a fan of Hagia Sophia .

8. Kilic Ali Pasha Hammam

Kilic Ali Pasha Hammam is the closest historical Turkish bath to the Istanbul Cruise Port. You can walk here in just a few minutes from Galataport Cruise Ship Terminal.

Kilic Ali Pasha Hammam has recently undergone a major restoration and is considered one of the best hammams in Istanbul . Taking a Turkish bath here will refresh you after sightseeing.

9. Shopping in Galataport

Galataport was designed as a shopping center as well as being a cruise port in Istanbul. In this way, there are many domestic and foreign luxury brands’ stores for shopping in Galataport .

Galataport has everything an average shopper would need. However, if you still want to experience the other shopping streets of Istanbul, you can try Istiklal Street, which is close to Taksim Square.

10. Restaurants in Galataport

The restaurants in Galataport are like a showcase of Istanbul’s food culture. Istanbul, which has a cosmopolitan structure, is mostly known for its kebab varieties and dessert shops.

In this sense, you can try Gunaydin Restaurant for kebab varieties in Galataport. Sekerci Cafer Erol, Hafiz Mustafa and Balyan, the most famous dessert shops of the city, have branches here.

In addition, you may be interested in Nusr-et, the most famous steakhouse restaurant in Istanbul, or Mezzaluna, a representative of Mediterranean cuisine. Finally, the new generation restaurants Happy Moon’s and Kirpi are also popular.

Places to Visit around Galataport 2024

Among the places to visit around Galataport are the most important historical monuments of Istanbul, the most popular districts and shopping streets.

1. Dolmabahce Palace (from Galataport)

Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most important historical places in Istanbul and is located within walking distance of Galataport. If you exit the door of Istanbul Cruise Port in the direction of Besiktas, you can easily reach here.

In the early Ottoman period, the sultans lived in the traditional Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet. In the 19th century, they moved to the Dolmabahce Palace on the shore of the Bosphorus, which has a European architecture.

When you leave Galataport and head to the northeast, you will first see the Findikli Tram Station. After that, there is Kabatas Tram Station, which is the last stop of Tram T1 . Dolmabahce Palace is 5 minutes’ walk from Kabatas.

2. Vodafone Arena

Vodafone Arena is the stadium of Besiktas FC, one of the three big football teams of Istanbul. The stadium is adjacent to Dolmabahce Palace and very close to Kabatas Tram Station.

In addition to the matches of Besiktas, there can be international concerts and events at the Vodafone Arena stadium. There is also a museum of Besiktas FC in the stadium.

3. Besiktas District

Besiktas District is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Istanbul . Here you can find many things about Istanbul’s daily life, street food and shopping.

You can use a bus or taxi to go from Galataport to Besiktas . The district also hosts museums such as Istanbul Naval Museum and Yildiz Palace .

4. Taksim Square (from Galataport)

Taksim Square is the place where the heart of Istanbul beats. It is possible to reach Istiklal Street , the most popular walking street of the city, or Galata Tower, one of the most popular museums, from here.

In order to go from Galataport to Taksim Square, you can first reach Kabatas Tram Station. From there, you can take the Funicular F1, a one-stop public transportation vehicle, to Taksim Square.

5. Istiklal Street

Istiklal Street is an ideal place for those who want to shop in Istanbul. There are shops of dozens of local and foreign clothing brands, as well as shopping centers such as Demiroren AVM.

Near Istiklal Street, there are museums such as Madame Tussauds , Pera Museum and Galata Tower. The two best restaurants in Istanbul , 360 Istanbul and Mikla, are also located here.

6. Galata Tower (from Galataport)

Galata Tower is among the most iconic structures of Istanbul. Built by the Genoese in the 14th century, the tower and its square are today one of the city’s most vibrant tourist destinations.

To get to Galata Tower from Galataport, you can proceed in the southwest direction and reach Karakoy district. You can walk from Karakoy Square to Galata Tower or take the Funicular F2, a one-stop underground vehicle.

7. Karakoy Square

Karakoy Square is one of the most energetic places in the city and can be reached on foot from Galataport. You can easily walk to Karakoy from the Museum Square in Istanbul Cruise Port.

In Karakoy Square, there are shops that sell products of famous outdoor brands such as North Face, Jack Wolfskin and Columbia at outlet prices. The district also has iconic restaurants such as “Karakoy Lokantasi”.

Karakoy Square also has Murat Muhallebicisi, one of the best dessert shops in Istanbul . As you wander the side streets of Karakoy, you can discover great boutique cafes and local restaurants.

8. Galata Bridge

Galata Bridge is a connection road between Karakoy (Beyoglu) and Eminonu (Old City). Galata Bridge is also located at the junction of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Bosphorus cruise boats also depart from here.

Thanks to the bridge, you can cross from Karakoy to Eminonu on foot. These two districts are famous for their street food and local restaurants in Istanbul. When you cross Eminonu, Spice Bazaar will be right in front of you.

9. Spice Bazaar (from Galataport)

Spice Bazaar can be reached within a 20-minute walk from Galataport. Spice Bazaar is one of the most famous historical shopping places in Istanbul and is 350 years old.

In a classic Spice Bazaar shop, you can find Turkish delight , tea leaves, local nuts, dried fruits, saffron and, of course, spices. Also, shopping in the streets surrounding Spice Bazaar is a true local experience.

10. Sultanahmet (from Galataport)

Sultanahmet is unquestionably the most touristic place in Istanbul. Here are the most famous historical buildings of the city such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Tram T1 is the most practical way to go from Galataport to Sultanahmet . If you take the tram going in the direction of “Bagcilar” either from Findikli or Tophane, you can reach Sultanahmet Tram Station in 15 minutes.

Galataport is located in Beyoglu, one of the most important districts of Istanbul. For this reason, it is very close to Karakoy, Cihangir, Galata , Istiklal Street and Taksim Square, which are the districts of Beyoglu.

It is possible to reach Besiktas ( Ortakoy and Bebek ), which includes the most beautiful places on the shores of the Bosphorus, by going north from Galataport. On the other hand, you can reach the Historical Peninsula (Sultanahmet and its surroundings) by going south from Galataport.

Tram T1, Istanbul’s most tourist-friendly means of transportation, passes right in front of Galataport. In this way, it is very easy to go to the touristic places of the city from the Istanbul Cruise Port by public transportation.

Istanbul is one of the most important routes of Mediterranean Cruise Ships, and if you are going to participate in this trip, it means you will be on your way to Galataport in Istanbul. You can be sure that you will have a good time here.

About Serhat Engül

Hello explorer of Istanbul! This is Serhat Engul. I am a licensed TOUR GUIDE IN ISTANBUL. I offer PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR which includes a visit to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazaar. This is a fantastic option to see some of the ICONIC LANDMARKS in the whole of Istanbul and you’ll receive plenty of background information on each location to enlighten you. You may see the details of this tour on the HOMEPAGE of the blog. I wish you a wonderful trip!

Reader Interactions

1 April 2022 at 16:52

Hello if we were to book you for a day to tour Istanbul how much would you charge? Would you meet us at the cruise terminal? Lisa

2 April 2022 at 22:43

Hello, yes I can meet my guests coming to the cruise port there. If the tour will cover Sultanahmet (Old City), we can meet at Galataport and go to the starting point of the tour with the tram.

I do private guided tours in Istanbul. You can review the tour options along with the prices in this article .

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Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul Clues travel guide is designed to introduce you to the history, museums, restaurants and culture of istanbul.

Private Tour Guide in Istanbul

Author of this blog, Serhat Engul, is a licensed tour guide based in Istanbul.

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• Norwegian Viva May 18th, 2025 Istanbul to Athens
• From Istanbul ›

This Isn't Your Grandma's Cruise! Visit Exotic Ports Like Alexandria for $1,903 Total

Prepare yourself for nine nights of breathtaking sailing around the Mediterranean when you step aboard the Norwegian Norwegian Viva from Istanbul to Athens.

This cruise is particularly interesting because you will only tour through uncommon ports like Alexandria, Rhodes, and Ephesus. This route is an interesting one for the Norwegian Viva. Actually, it sails it only once.

This price includes all entertainment, meals, port fees, and taxes. No sneaky extra fees!

The Norwegian Norwegian Viva

More than 3,200 travelers can comfortably cruise on this Ncl Prima-leonardo class ship, based in Athens and built just one year ago in 2023.

The Norwegian Viva Norwegian delights guests with an escape room, an exclusive of Norwegian.

The Norwegian Viva Norwegian also offers a gym, a spa, a jacuzzi, a waterslide, and a casino.

Pricing Information

Since being listed nineteen months ago, The cost of this cruise has varied between $1,738 and $1,923 for a stateroom, inclusive of $254 in taxes and port charges. The accompanying graph displays the price over time for the different types of cabin. At only $165 more than the all time low of $1,738 now is a great time to lock in your room

Your Itinerary

This itinerary spends two days at sea and six days in port. High points include a long stop in Santorini in addition to visits to less common destinations like Alexandria, Rhodes, and Ephesus.

Alternate Sailings

The Norwegian Viva sails this route once next year, but doesn't sail it this year. This is the only ship that sails this exact route. In the accompanying graphic you can see a visualization of when this ship sails as well as the relative price.

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Be up on deck when you approach the city: domes and minarets make the skyline one of the most memorable sights of the world.

If your ship does an overnight here, a starboard balcony stateroom will offer you an outstanding view towards Sultanahmet, the area where all (or most) highlights are situated.

The new five-berth cruise port at Istanbul is now completed. It is part of waterfront complex of marina, hotels and shops about four miles away from the Golden Horn. The new terminal is designed under the ground with a project to be implemented for the first time in the world. The complex is huge and the underground walkway can be very long to the exit of the terminal, depending on your docking location.

Taking the tram to Sultanahmet is your best way of transportation, approximate every 5 minutes. Buy red tokens from the vending machines, only 3 Lira (Turkish coins and small bills accepted). The tram stop is only a few blocks from the terminal.

A taxi to Sultanahmet Square where most highlights are just takes 10 minutes, from where on most sights are within walking distance. Ask a tour desk representative in the cruise hall what a fair price is before talking with any taxi drivers and agree on the fare. Taxi drivers will ignore the meter.

You can walk to the Galata bridge, a 10 minute pleasant walk. Turn left from the cruise terminal and turn left again towards the board walk. From the Galata bridge it is a slightly uphill walk to Sultanahmet. The Galata bridge has to levels: The lower level filled with restaurants and top level for traffic. While the lower level has more ambiance, you will have to negotiate a few flights of stairs in the middle, therefore not recommended for the less able.

How to get to the Istanbul cruise terminal:

From the Ataturk Airport: yellow colored taxis will bring you to your ship; there are also express buses and airport shuttles to Taksim.

The trip in the direction of the airport can often involve heavy traffic, especially during rush hour. It is always helpful to check the traffic conditions before setting out to the airport. If you take the coast road connecting Aksaray and Bakirköy to the airport, you are likely to experience less traffic.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Istanbul Turkey

Sightseeing:

Your ship will arrive in the European (north) part of Istanbul . The Galata bridge spans the Golden Horn which divides the city in the more modern Galata area and old Sultanahmet, where all the sights are. If you are limited in time put Old Sultanahmet at the top of your list. Head for the Sultanahmet Square (Also the name of the tram stop)where you will find: the Topkapi Palace (Closed Tuesdays), the Aya Sophia (closed Mondays), the Blue Mosque (no admission during praying times), the Archaeological Museum and the Hippodrome, all within walking distance of each other. Get there early and spend there the whole day.

While visiting a mosque in Istanbul, women need to cover their heads, shoulders, knees .. and oh, toes can show. Chest and legs should be covered. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque.

As you rest on the European shore of the Bosporus at sunset and look at the golden evening light reflected on the windows of the houses on the Asian shore, or as you stand on the Asian shore and watch the sun setting behind the elegant minarets of old Istanbul, you immediately appreciate, why so many centuries ago, people chose to settle on this extraordinary spot. Indeed there will be times you feel Istanbul is really one of the most glorious cities in the world.

If you have seen Sultanahmet, venture out to the Asian side of town, with one of the many ferries (3 Lira each way) and enjoy Turkish life in a less touristy way, but as rewarding.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Istanbul City Hop-on Hop-off Tour. Only recommended if you want to venture further out, otherwise the tram is your best bet: faster and cheaper.

Most ferries leave at both sides of the Galata bridge, the bridge which connects new Istanbul and Sultanahmet. Without a doubt, Istanbul's city ferries offer the easiest, most affordable, and most enjoyable way of traveling between the city's two sides. For longer trips, the sea buses offer quicker service. Some tour companies also operate cruises on the Bospurus, leaving from Sultanamet and also about 400 meters up from the cruise terminal.

In town, a taxi is cheap, and the fares are regulated. They are yellow and easy to find. For long journeys, however, drivers can charge more than the meter reads. So negotiate the fare in advance. Traffic can be horrendous, so make sure you do not "miss the boat"

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here

Nearby Places:

Shopping and food.

The main shopping center is the Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays), Take the tram to Beyazit, which will save you an rather uphill walk. More than 3000 merchants are waiting for you. You will also like the Spice Bazaar (near the waterfront, down from the Grand Bazaar): visiting the Misir Çarsisi , is not merely a way to fulfill the tourist's urge for the exotic. It is also a chance to really see and live Istanbul's traditional commercial life.

The area around the Sultanahmet Square has lots of restaurants and coffee houses. Look for restaurants which have a fixed menu board outside. Restaurants near the tram stops with over eagerly staff are often a rip-off, often having menus with "different" pricing: one to lure in the customers, one to help make up the bill. Often they also will add a "service charge". Examine your bill closely and do not be afraid to contest the bill.

Restaurants close to a mosque are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages, all others will.

Tea gardens (kahve) are among the indispensable pleasures of summer nights. It is really enjoyable to sip your tea or cool yourself down while overlooking a stunning sea panorama.

Turkey's currency is the Turkish Lira. Public transportation and most museums only accept Turkish Lira. Most shops and restaurants accept Euro and sometimes US$. Always make sure you receive correct change. With a credit or debit card you can withdraw local currency from cash machines which are found in convenient locations and right outside the cruise terminal.

Currency Converter

Communication:

Free wireless connections are available at many hotels and restaurants/cafes. Not always advertised, but just ask.

Emergency Ambulance: 112 (all over Turkey) Police: 155 (all over Turkey)

Opening Hours and Holidays:

In tourist and coastal areas, opening hours are quite flexible and during the summer many shops stay open until late in the evening, seven days a week, leaving tourists to browse at their leisure and escape the heat of the day.

Holidays in Turkey

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Istanbul cruise port

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• Coordinates 41.022, 28.976
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• Local Time 2024-06-03 11:49

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