Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

The cylindrical Galata Tower stands sentry over the approach to ‘new’ İstanbul. Constructed in 1348 it was the tallest structure in the city for centuries and it still dominates the skyline north of the Golden Horn. Its vertiginous upper balcony offers 360-degree views of the city, but we’re not convinced that the view (though spectacular) justifies the steep admission cost. Be warned that queues can be long and the viewing balcony can get horribly overcrowded. An elevator goes most of the way to the top, but there is one flight of stairs to climb.

Galata Tower | RESUL MUSLU/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

CHURCH CHRIST CHURCH ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Crimean Memorial Church; Serdar-i Ekrem Sokak 52, Galata; donation requested; h services 10am Sun; j Tophane) The cornerstone of this Gothic-style Anglican church was laid in 1858 by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, known as ‘The Great Elchi’ ( elçi meaning ambassador) because of his paramount influence in mid-19th-century Ottoman affairs. The