We visited the Galata tower when we were in Istanbul. A bit pricey to get to the top. But if you want a good view of the city you might as well invest in this attraction. We loved photographing the city of Istanbul. Got some really good clicks of the Bosphorus and the city dwellings. I'm not sure but I think we paid 50 TL for the two of us to get to the top of the tower. Beware there are a lot of cobblers in and around the area. Especially the one who sits right next to the tower. Total scam. He ripped us off some money. They will tell you stories and polish your shoes and you will think of it as a good gesture because obviously you didn't ask for the service. But No! They will rip you off. I was wearing espadrilles and there is no question of polishing them. Yet he forced my leg onto the polishing apparatus and asked for the money. So be careful ! And beware of your pockets being picked in that area.

Actually I’m not lucky because I cant go to the top of the tower, It’s too much crowd. It’s actually one of the most touristic place in Istanbul. Well you will found lot of tourist here. What I would like to share more about is the band who always sing around the tower which give another experience of visiting this place. The sing a song in turkish with guitar and there is an old man who dance all over and over. Around the tower you’ll also found an Ice cream truck to add more street experience for your exploration. In the end it’s depend on how you see things. There’s also a lots of souvenirs shop around here, Me and my friends decide to purchase some cool postcards here.

Pretty tower, can have a long line at times, we had to wait for 20 minutes at around 1 PM on a Sunday. You buy tickets at the entrance (25 TL), and take the elevator to the 7th floor. Have to walk up two more to get to the top. The views are interesting and you can get a drink in the cafeteria inside (the black tea ~ 6 TL). They do not have herbal teas in the summer.

Went up to the top of the tower on a cloudy day, but thankfully the views were still breathtaking. After having visited the majority of attractions in the Old Town the week before, it was great seeing it all from the top. A great summary to our trip. The simulation, that you pay extra for, was fun. A nice, different, way of seeing some of the main attractions. It only takes 10 minutes, so just do it.

Must-see place for Istanbul visitors. Great views from top. The motion ride on the top was enjoyable too. The area surrounding the tower has a nice historic feel with cobbled streets and nice little shops.