Exploring the bustling city of Istanbul is a great experience but to see it from up high is something completely different. In my opinion, the best place to do this is Galata tower, a landmark that dominates the skyline.
Six years ago, I went to the tower to attend a Turkish show at nighttime. I could see lights from buildings, dotted across the horizon, and the lights of traffic moving, but that was it and I desperately wanted to return during the day.
A return visit to Istanbul last month, meant Galata tower was on my list of places to go.
The View of Istanbul From Galata Tower
After standing in a queue for half an hour, I finally made it through the doors, paid my ticket money, and stood in another queue for the lifts.
I came out of the lifts, walked up a winding staircase, which passes the restaurant on the way. When I reached the top, I had in front of me, an unobstructed and 360-degree view of Istanbul.
Now – if you know me well, you will realize that seeing Istanbul from the top of Galata tower is an achievement as I have a big fear of heights.
I circled around the tower with my back firmly against the wall. The thought of peering over the guard rails and down to the streets below was just too much to bear.
Note to the idiot who was at Galata tower on the same morning as me. Messing about at the top of a 66 meter tower with dodgy looking guardrails and a half meter path full of tourists IS NOT FUNNY!!
Yes, if you happened to be up the tower on the same day as me, I was the freaky woman having palpitations, as well as suffering from a hang over which made me want to throw up.
I hope you enjoy my photos; most taken with one hand because I refused to take my other hand off the wall.
Readers Questions on Galata Tower
Can you identify any well-known landmarks in the photos?
Have you been to the top of the tower as well?
Your photos turned out wonderful. I assure you that I wasn’t the idiot up there. We went to go up the Tower, but alas we arrived at 7:45pm only to find out that it closes at 7:30pm. We did not try again. Thanks for showing us the view, and good on ya for trying to conquer your fear.
Pete recently wrote about..We Ate Turkey
I imagine that time to be a good one as well Pete, especially if it is around sunset. sorry to read that you missed it but maybe next time you come back to Turkey.
Natalie recently wrote about..The Basilica Cistern of Istanbul and the Heads of Medusa
hehe, some people just don’t have the same respect for heights
Sam recently wrote about..Enjoying Various Beers Downtown Montreal at Mondial de la bière 2012
I know – Terrible Sam – don’t know where the fear came from either as I never suffered from it as a child
Natalie recently wrote about..Interview With An Imam – A Leader Of Islam
I have been to the top of Galata Tower, also. It was one of my favorite attractions in Istanbul. The views were spectacular and we were lucky to be there on a day that didn’t see huge crowds trying to get to the top. We were in Istanbul during a religious holiday, so there were more calls to prayer each day than normal (so we were told). We happened to be at the top of the tower for one call to prayer and it was intense! The chanting was in stereo, sound coming from the mosques all around the tower. An unforgettable experience!
Francesca recently wrote about..Where to go for the Big 4-0?
Someone else mentioned on my FB page that they had been at the top whilst the call to prayer happened. I wish I had timed my visit different now and videoed it. Would have been awesome
Luckily, I did video record it
Here’s a link to it on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheWorkingMomsTravels
Francesca recently wrote about..Where to go for the Big 4-0?
There are total 7 photos in this post.
Everybody knows some mosque. Such as, Suleymaniye, Yeni (New), Fatih Camii.
You can see Suleymaniye mosque 4th photo. Everybody knows this mosque with 4 minarets.
you can see Fatih mosque 5th mosque with two minarets.
You can see Yeni (New) mosqua and Spice Bazaar. Left side and center.
That is all I could make as well Kadir. Of course Galata bridge as well
Natalie recently wrote about..Tourism In Turkey. Stats and Plans For The Future. Infographic
That is the most amazing gull shot.
Emme Rogers @ Roamancing recently wrote about..A Healing Moment in Travel
Total fluke a bit of cropping Emme!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Ghost Village Of Kayakoy
Merhaba Natalie,
So great to see the Galata Tower!! What a great shot you took with the seagull – marti – in it!
I love the view all round, especially the views of Bogazici, the Bosphorus, so inviting.
The Galata Tower area changed so much over the years; a cup of cay (tea) by the skirts of the tower is a wonderful experience. They now have lots of neat Turkish restaurants, cafes all round there, enjoy for me too:)
Ozlem’s Turkish Table recently wrote about..Baby Artichokes Poached in Olive Oil with Peas, Carrots and Almonds – Zeytinyagli Enginar
Hi Ozlem, I must admit the seagull shot was a total fluke and just in the right place at the right time. For the cafes and restaurants, I need to go back to the Galata area as had to leave to catch my flight. Also want to try and see one of the Jewish synagogues in the area as well. Have you been inside any of them?
Natalie recently wrote about..Bars in Taksim – Nightlife For Females and Foreigners
Hi Natalie,
I actually had been in a Jewwish synagogue years ago for a friend’s wedding, it is atmospheric. Also a few years ago my American friends went to the one near Karakoy, a small but a nice one, worth exploring. Lots of history there.
Hope it helps!
Ozlem’s Turkish Table recently wrote about..Baby Artichokes Poached in Olive Oil with Peas, Carrots and Almonds – Zeytinyagli Enginar
Fabulous pic’s Natalie and well done for getting up there im not good with hights myself the last thing you need when your afraid of something is some nutter messing around
Think she thought it was funny and obviously had no fear of heights. Would think twice about going up again actually because of that
Natalie recently wrote about..Save Water – Drink Wine
Beautiful photos! I’m not scared of heights, but Kali isn’t too fond of them… I think in this case the view is worth it, though.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently wrote about..Vietnam’s Best-Kept Secret
Thank Guys, the views were worth it to do it once but never again!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul : A Photo Guide
Your pictures look so great! When we went up there, the weather was pretty bad, and as we walked around taking pictures it just kept getting worse and worse. Overcast and drizzly. Luckily we were done right before it really started raining. It was still a great view of Istanbul though!
Ali recently wrote about..Saving Kiwis in Rotorua
Will you be publishing your pictures Ali? I would love to see them, really like pictures taken in bad weather. I think they have more character
Natalie recently wrote about.. The Colourful Greek Island of Meis
As Ali said, we were fighting weather on our time up. Though I think we did pretty good. We did two rounds around the tower each with a different lens on the tower. What gets me is that even though there are signs and arrows and the path is really quite tiny, there were a lot of people that were walking the wrong way. Seriously? That was so annoying.
Andrew recently wrote about..3 Things We Learned From 3 Months In Bavaria, Germany
Andrew – That was the other thing that annoyed me and at times, people would expect me to go back when the path was jammed full of bodies. I stood my ground though
Natalie recently wrote about..French Street in Istanbul
Great photos, and as always they make us yearn to visit Turkey. We actually had a Turkish ecotourism press trip set up a few months ago, but it fell through. Hopefully we’ll make it there next year…
Bret @ Green Global Travel recently wrote about..How To Avoid The Downsides Of Frequent Travel
Bret – Maybe it was the same press trip, I was meant to attend but it all fell through. Look forward to when you visit Turkey, I am headed to the black sea region in two days, which is all about eco tourism in a way. That would be some great subjects for you to focus on, will let you know how I get on.
Natalie recently wrote about..Tourism In Turkey. Stats and Plans For The Future. Infographic
I was petrified the whole time as well because the ground slopes towards the edge! So you are not the only one that freaks out with heights
Cole @ Four Jandals recently wrote about..Live Blogging from Naples – #fjNAPLES
He he Maybe you and I have got ourselves a name as the freaky people at the top of the tower. I never looked down so did not see the slopes towards the edge. Glad I didn’t otherwise I would have screamed!!
Natalie recently wrote about..The Basilica Cistern of Istanbul and the Heads of Medusa
When I first drove through Istanbul I just loved the look of the city as a whole – all the sprawling buildings over the rolling hills dotted with minarets in the landscape. It looks awsome from a high place!
Andrea recently wrote about..Summer Nights in Norway
It is quite understandable when you see it from up high, as to why many call it a very unique city. It does look awesome
Natalie recently wrote about..Interview With An Imam – A Leader Of Islam
Great view! I’ll have to remember this when I visit the city again… and will be sure to go when I do not have a hangover.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently wrote about..Foto of the Week from … Tarabuco: Small Town Beauty
Hangovers and the top of a 66 metre tower do not go well together Steph. Be sober as a judge when you go!
Natalie recently wrote about..Flower Passage and Istanbul Nostalgia – Portraits From The Past
That photo with the bird is amazing… and actually some of your photos look like that style where things look minature…
Jade Johnston recently wrote about..Australia – Overland Perth To Adelaide With @GreatSthnRail
Jade – The photo with the bird was a total fluke. Right place at the right time and then a little bit of cropping. One of the pictures is also done in the miniature style, the fourth one. I thought about doing them all in tilt shift but felt it would be too much.
Natalie recently wrote about..This Turkish Woman Is More Than 100 Years Old
Glad you stuck with it so I could view the results. I would so love to see it for myself. Many thanks!
Johanna Bradley recently wrote about..Sunday Post : Village
While pictures are great, seeing the view with your own eyes is definitely much better Johanna
Natalie recently wrote about..This Turkish Woman Is More Than 100 Years Old
You’ve captured some great photos! I especially like the tilt shift one…
Cam recently wrote about..Aloha from beautiful Maui!
Thanks Cam. I am playing with tilt shift at the moment but seem to have gone off quite quickly!
The attraction did not last long
Natalie recently wrote about..Brilliant Beekeeping : How The Turks Make Sweet, Golden Honey
Got to the tower too late myself. I shouldn’t have missed that opportunity. Great shots.
Kurt recently wrote about..My Romanian Souls
What a shame you missed it. I am normally scared of heights but knew I had to make it up there. Never mind, maybe another time
Natalie recently wrote about..A Honeymoon in Turkey – Ali and Andrew Tell Their Story