Here you can read our guide and find everything you need to know about Galataport Istanbul (the Cruise Port of Istanbul), including terminals, services, how to get to the city center, nearby attractions and sights with insider advice tips.
Where is Galataport, Istanbul’s Cruise Port?
The Cruise Port of Istanbul, the Galataport Istanbul, is located in the shores of the Galata, Karakoy and Tophane neighborhoods, in the entrance of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.
The new Galataport Istanbul Project
The reconstruction of new Galataport completed in the last quarter of 2021 and now it serves for the cruise ships, and all travelers in Istanbul. And Istanbul is now one of the major cruising destinations along Mediterranean.
Galataport Istanbul covers 1,2 km. of Karakoy coastline and can host around 3 cruise ships at once, and 500 cruise ships with an average of 4,000 passengers each throughout the year. The port is also able to host the biggest cruise ships in the world, and what is much interesting is that Galatport is the World’s first underground Cruise Ship Terminal.
Galataport Istanbul hosts a number of culture and arts centers, the world standard cruise terminal, a port hotel, and an entertainment area housing various brands, cafes, restaurants and offices.
Galataport Istanbul offers a “breathing” healthy and safe culture-arts, shopping, dining and wining experience to its visitors with its accessible and low-rise buildings, architecture designed in a neighborhood concept, in harmony with the historical texture of the region, and alternative transportation opportunities.
Galataport Terminal
The terminal of the Galatport has areas under the ground and will have a capacity to serve high number of passengers. There will ve passport control and check-in areas, waiting saloons and more.
You can cross check and find more information on galataport.com
Cruises to Istanbul
Istanbul is a popular destination in the world’s top cruise programs.
Video Tour
What to do in Istanbul from Galataport?
If you’re visiting Istanbul by cruise ship, we can say that you’ll have about 8 to 12 hours to explore the city. 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.
We recommend you to visit and see Sultanahmet, Galata and Taksim and see Hagia Sophiaand Topkapi Palace Museums (in Sultanahmet), Galata Tower (in Galata), Taksim Square and Istiklal Street (in Taksim) for sure.
You can take BigBus Istanbul City Sightseeing Tour, Whirling Dervishes Show and Bosphorus Cruise as for best attractions.
You can read more about what to do in Istanbul from a cruise from our Visiting Istanbul by Cruise Ship page.
Guided city highlights tour from Galataport
If you don’t want to get confused and stressed on planning about the days out with limited time, the itineraries and schedules, and let someone else take care of all the logistics and guide you the city’s all sights and sounds, we highly recommend you to take the guided city highlights tours. Better be if it is a guided city walking tour.
You’ll be offered variety of shore excursions by your cruise ship for sure, but anyways we believe that you may find the below tours more cheaper and would worth to check out as well.
Those private guide city tours also offer drop-off & pick-up from the cruise ship and are either private or small-group tours. And they are all very competitively priced, and guarantee an on-time return to your cruise ship.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
How to get from Galataport to the City Center?
You are lucky that Galataport is located in the heart of the city, very close, within walking distance or short tram ride from all of the major sights and sounds 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 from Galataport?
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.
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