The beautiful "Galata Kulesi" is a gem in Istanbul's skyline. In English it's called the Galata…read moreTower. This tower is a must see and an iconic symbol of Istanbul, situated in the Galata quarter. Whether you go inside or not, it's still worth it just to visit the top of the hill in Beyoğlu to look at it. As of July 2026 the standard entry fee to go up the top of the Galata Tower for international visitors is €30 per person and you can buy tickets on site.
It's one of the oldest towers in the world and one of the symbols of İstanbul; Galata Tower was originally used as a fire watchtower over 1000 years ago and was first rebuilt by the Genovese in 1348-49.
The crowds can become really large here in the evenings, especially when it's all lit up, but you can almost always get a nice selfie shot on the top of the smaller street "Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi" as it's never as packed as the other surrounding streets. It's a quieter street where you can get a nice selfie or regular photo with the tower in the background.
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