I cruised into Istanbul's new Galataport, it was incredible

I sailed into Istanbul and watched the city unfurl beside the Bosphorus in a brilliant sequence of minarets and domes, parklands and palaces. It was spectacular.

For years it’s been a dream of mine to arrive in Istanbul by sea. To witness that magnificent city unfurl beside the Bosphorus in a brilliant sequence of minarets and domes, parklands and palaces. I was convinced it would be the most spectacular arrival and I wasn’t disappointed when, this past northern summer, I finally cruised up the Sea of Marmara to the glorious sight of Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul.

My timing, as it turned out, was impeccable. If I’d made this grand entrance much sooner I would have missed capping off the arrival with a berth at what must – surely – be the world’s most incredible cruise-ship parking lot.

The €1.5 billion (about $2.5 billion) Galataport development has opened in stages since 2020, but it is only this year that most of its 200-plus tenancies have been filled and the Karaköy harbourfront has become a buzzy, must-do addition to the ancient city.

The standout feature of Galataport is its location. Unlike an increasing number of major cities (such as Venice and Rome) where the terminal is miles from the city action, in true Turkish style Istanbul welcomes cruise passengers into its heart.

Galataport straddles a 1.2km stretch of Karaköy waterfront below the landmark Galata Tower, with the lively labyrinth of old Istanbul on your doorstep. The views back over the city are remarkable, but my cabin aboard Seven Seas Grandeur faces the sea and, OMG, it’s amazing. I almost cry when I open the curtains.

The standout feature of Galataport is its location. In true Turkish style, Istanbul welcomes cruise passengers into its heart. Picture: Alamy.

Directly beneath my balcony, ferries tootle back and forth between Europe and Asia. Fishermen bob about on boats and white-sailed yachts slice the sea but I barely notice them because, just across the water, there’s a transcendent view of Topkapi Palace, Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque aligned like planets on the Sarayburnu promontory.

I can’t imagine any hotel in Istanbul has a better outlook. Well, maybe one. The Peninsula Istanbul has recently opened beside Galataport and its sea-view rooms have similar outlooks, but they cost a minimum €1600 a night whereas, on Grandeur, I get a more elevated aspect plus a balcony and bottle of Champagne. And I don’t have to pay anything extra. I think I’m the winner here.

Other things to know about Galataport, in case you’re going:

Dining-wise there are branches of local household names such as the 19th-century confectioners Hafiz Mustafa. Picture: Alamy.

● It’s an underground passenger terminal, apparently the world’s first. The obvious advantage of this arrangement is that you don’t have a massive terminal building blocking the view. All the business end of things – security, passport control, luggage handling and passenger processing – is done out of sight. Istanbul remains the star of the show.

● Signage inside the terminal (in English and Turkish) is excellent. As is the design, inspired by Istanbul’s cisterns. If you have any questions, blue-shirted attendants are everywhere and at your service. The terminal is huge, almost 30,000 sqm, so there’s an awful lot of walking to reach town or get back on the ship. Mobility-challenged passengers can book wheelchairs and attendants to take them to and from. Coming back, you have to run the gauntlet of duty-free stores but that’s not always a bad thing (I pick up a desperately needed cabin bag, and there’s a tax-free cashback desk for instant refunds).

● Above ground, Galataport is a vast mall of more than 200 shops and eateries showcasing top-flight Turkish fashion, jewellery and perfume brands alongside global standards such as Benetton and Breitling. Dining-wise there are branches of local household names such as the 19th-century confectioners Hafiz Mustafa and Cafer Erol and more contemporary kitchens like Vakkorama for popcorn shrimp sandwiches and the eponymous burger place of Insta-famous Turkish chef-butcher Nusret Gökçe, aka Salt Bae. For cultural appetites there’s the Renzo Piano-designed Istanbul Modern and the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University’s Museum of Painting and Sculpture, both within the port precinct.

The greatest triumph of Galataport is that it’s revived a neglected waterfront in historic Istanbul and returned it to the people. Picture: Alamy.

● Galataport is about as central as you can get in Istanbul. Take the T1 tram to visit must-see attractions such as Ayasofya and Basilica Cistern, and tram – or walk across the always-bustling Galata Bridge – to the spice market and Grand Bazaar. Or board a ferry at Karaköy station and cross the Golden Horn to Eminonu, from where you can reach almost anywhere in the 16-million-strong metropolis.

● On foot from Galataport, once through the terminal’s security checkpoints, you emerge directly into the atmospheric streets of Karaköy/Galata, one of Istanbul’s oldest neighbourhoods. Not sure where to go? There’s an Istanbul Tourist Information office right at the terminal exit.

The greatest triumph of Galataport is that it’s revived a neglected waterfront in historic Istanbul and returned it to the people. Locals and visitors alike. It’s such a vibe. I couldn’t have scripted a more wonderful welcome.

SMOOTH SAILING

The many other benefits of berthing at Galataport include free wi-fi, left-luggage lockers, a shopping valet service, tax-free cashback desk and underground parking for shore excursion buses, taxis and car-share rides. Nothing but plain sailing.

Originally published as I cruised into Istanbul's new Galataport, it was incredible