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At the heart of this transformation is the world's first underground terminal, reimagining Istanbul's historic port into a dynamic hub for gastronomy, arts, culture, shopping, and business. Istanbul is a bustling city with numerous transportation options available for cruise ship passengers to get around. However, the most convenient and cost-effective way to travel is by using the tram system. The tram connects many of the major tourist attractions in the city, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Bazaar. Galataport Istanbul is a new and modern port located on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. It serves as a passenger terminal for cruise ships traveling to and from Istanbul cruise ports, as well as to the Greek islands and the Black Sea.
Final Tips and Recommendations for a Memorable Cruise Ship Visit to Istanbul Cruise Ports
It’s easy to get lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, which offers some of the biggest bargains from Turkish artisans in the city. You can make an all-day affair of shopping here or simply go for the people watching. The Bazaar is one of the few places remaining in Istanbul where the art of haggling is welcomed and encouraged. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, the ease and accessibility of Galataport ensure your exploration of Istanbul’s wonders is as seamless as it is unforgettable. Of course, being a hub for Istanbul cruises, there is also modern passport control, check-in, waiting areas, and plenty of cruise port info points. Head to the Sultanahmet district for its best attractions like the Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
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The ride from Istanbul port to Sultanahmet tram stop takes around 10 minutes one way, and the trams run every 5 to 10 minutes. Get a public transport card, known as an IstanbulKart, from the kiosks or yellow ticket machines at the station. Transport cards cost 70 Turkish Lira, with individual tram rides costing around 15 Turkish Lira each. Istanbul is an easy city to get around with a network of buses, metro lines, trams, and the Marmaray. But there are so many amazing things to do on an Istanbul cruise stop that it makes sense to go it alone and find out what the city is really like.
Local Currency and Language
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. 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. Tram T1 is the most practical way to go from Galataport to Sultanahmet.
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Sultanahmet (from Galataport)
Another option is Sunset Grill & Bar, which features a terrace overlooking the Bosphorus and serves up delicious seafood dishes. If you’re looking for an authentic food experience in Istanbul, head to one of the city’s bustling markets or bazaars. The Grand Bazaar is one of the most famous markets in Istanbul and offers an array of spices, dried fruits, nuts, and other ingredients used in traditional Turkish cooking. Another must-visit spot in Istanbul is the Tophane Clock Tower located in the trendy Tophane neighborhood.
Finding the terminal
It’s the main street that runs adjacent to the river and connects the port to the rest of the city. Here, you can find lots of fantastic local cafes, restaurants, and shops. On the other end of the spectrum is the hugely popular İBB Cihangir Sosyal Tesisleri, just across the main street from the port. You may have to wait for a table as the restaurant is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. Still, the reward is extremely affordable authentic Turkish food with spectacular views over the city and the river.
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You may read more on our Getting Around Istanbul and Public Transportation page. 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. We highly recommend the below great value for money Istanbul tours for cruise ship passengers. 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.
Topkapi Palace
As you wander the side streets of Karakoy, you can discover great boutique cafes and local restaurants. 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.
In 2016, the number of foreign tourists to Turkey decreased by 32% (down to 17,4 million) over 2015. There was a significant decrease in arrivals from Western- and Asian countries and from Russia. On June 6, 2019, Istanbul's Sarayburnu Port welcomed its first cruise vessel in 4 years - Seven Seas Voyager - operated by RSSC-Regent. A taxi ride from Istanbul port to Topkapi Palace takes less than 10 minutes. The newly built, modern Galataport is the main cruise port of Istanbul, situated in the Karaköy neighborhood of the Beyoğlu district, located on the European side of İstanbul.
Visitors can take a tour and learn about the history behind this masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. Buses are another option for getting around Istanbul but can be confusing for first-time visitors as there are many different routes and schedules to navigate. Passengers should check online timetables or ask locals for advice on which bus routes to take. To avoid missing your ship’s departure, make sure to plan your itinerary ahead of time and give yourself ample time to explore each attraction. It’s also a good idea to keep track of the time throughout the day so that you don’t have any surprises when it comes time to return to your ship.
If you choose public transport, head over to the closest tram station (Karaköy or Tophane), take the T1 tram line, and get off at Sultanahmet station. To use public transport, please refer to the transportation information to see more details. 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. 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 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.
It’s full of boutique shops, independent restaurants, and great little cafes like Factory Karakoy. Visit in the evening to catch locals chatting along the promenade, have a drink at friendly local pubs and bars, and see the laid-back side of this busy, multicultural city. There are more than 250 shops at the Galataport Mall, from top-name global brands to more local stores and outlets. Visitors come here from all over the city to hang out in the mall and window shop at all the international stores and designer outlets. For one of the best desserts in town, make your way to Hafız Mustafa 1864 Galataport.
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