Galata Tower

i loved the view from on top of the tower, the simulation experience does take you around the istanbul landmarks

Go at night when it is lit! We went to have an evening meal under it's breathtaking glow.

This is a really nice part of Istanbul and worth a walk. We got there via Kumbaraci Yokusu which was lined with artisan workshops and shops. Artists, leathermakers, woodturners, etc. all at work. There was a long queue for the tower so we didn't go up. A local suggested we go to SALT, which is the old Ottoman Bank. There is a free museum in the library around the old bank vault. This visit reminds people of how Turkey has been linked to Europe for a long time. First bank notes are on display, and how they were tracked, along with example ID cards used by the bank to identify customers.

Compared to the entry price of other places we felt this was a bit expensive. You go up most of the way in a lift and walk up some stairs to the viewing platform. The platform goes all the way around and there is a sign in Turkish and English saying go to the right but people were going both ways and it was very crowded.

Get there early as queues can be very long.

Check it out at sunset.