DESTINATION WITHIN A DESTINATION

Galataport Istanbul is bringing the cruise industry to a new level.

Istanbul’s new cruise port, Galataport Istanbul, will be nothing short of incredible, with ground-breaking innovations like the industry has never seen. It’s a unique project that will open new horizons in the industry, especially for the Mediterranean port cities. Being a mix-use waterfront project, Galataport Istanbul will directly contribute to the tourism and economy of Turkey. It will also become a benchmark for similar projects globally.

With Galataport Istanbul, cruisers will find a beautiful modern port, with a hatch system used for the first time in the world, and a terminal building with an underground area of 29,000 square meters linked to this hatch system. When there is no ship in the port, the entire ground level of the site will be open to the public thanks to a special 3-meter rising hatch system, isolating the temporary customs bonded area and security (ISPS) area. Therefore, the unique coastline, which has been closed to public access for approximately 200 years, will be open to all citizens and visitors of the city. All cruise operations will remain behind the hatches, thus leaving the promenade to the guests of the area.

Once the project is completed, Galataport Istanbul is expecting 1.5 million cruise passengers and crew on a yearly basis. Overall, the project will host 25 million visitors annually, 7 million of which will be tourists. The economic contribution to Turkey’s tourism income is estimated to be approximately $1 billion USD.

Galataport Istanbul expects nearly 60 calls in 2020 and 180 calls in 2021, with 75,000 and 350,000 cruise passengers, respectively. By 2022, Istanbul will likely regain its leading position in the Mediterranean basin. Galataport Istanbul has achieved this exceptional growth in less than 9 months, thanks to tight collaboration with the cruise lines, port agents, and tour operators. Most of the cruise companies will be using Galataport Istanbul as a home port as well, creating even more valuable development for the tourism in Turkey.

Galataport Istanbul is developing a new lifestyle Galataport application that will maximize local and international visitors’ experience in terms of destination information, visit-planning, way-finding, transportation, as well as providing special benefits for members

Galataport Istanbul will be the new hub of the city, where locals and tourists alike will enjoy harmony with the neighborhood’s cultural and art institutions; a cruise port facility; an exclusive hotel; retail; cafes; restaurants; and office areas that appeal to different tastes and styles.

Galataport will be a living and mindful space, active 24/7 with cultural, art, gastronomic, and entertainment escapades as well as large recreational areas. It will include nearly 250 retail and Food & Beverage units, where nearly 35 percent will be dedicated to culinary experiences just few steps away from the Bosphorus waterfront and dispatched around small streets. The retail concept and its mix have also been designed with a special, custom approach.

Istanbul Modern Museum and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, Turkey’s leading art institutions, are within the premises of the project. In between these two museums, the historical Tophane Square will become Istanbul’s first museum square. Thanks to special events, festivals, and concerts, this square promises to become the beating heart of culture and art for not only Galataport, but the city of Istanbul. For more information, visit galataport.com.