Galata Bridge

Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, linking the Eminönü district on the south with Karaköy on the north. The current bridge, the fifth on this site, was completed in 1994 and is a bascule bridge 490 meters long with a main span of 80 meters. Its deck carries two vehicle lanes and one walkway in each direction, plus tram tracks for the T1 line. Restaurants line the underside, added in 2003.

Don't miss

• Watch the bascule mechanism that allows the bridge to open for ship traffic.
• Observe the mix of pedestrians, anglers, and vehicles sharing the deck.
• The span links historic Eminönü with Karaköy on the Beyoğlu side of the Golden Horn.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Galata Bridge

Cheapest way inBosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul4.8★ · 1,151 travelers1-2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →Best full dayBest of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour5★ · 9,785 travelers7-21 hoursFree cancellationFrom$90 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Transfer hotel-airport4.7★ · 77 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$30 per personSee dates →

Getting there

Know before you go

• Fishing from the bridge is a popular local activity; you'll see many anglers lining the railings.
• The bridge connects the historic Fatih district (Eminönü side) with the modern Beyoğlu district (Karaköy side), marking a cultural shift described in Turkish literature.

A bit of history

The first recorded bridge over the Golden Horn was built in the 6th century under Justinian the Great near the Theodosian Land Walls. In 1502–1503, Sultan Bayezid II solicited bridge plans; Leonardo da Vinci designed an unprecedented single-span 280-meter bridge, but it was not approved. The first bridge at the current site, a wooden structure called Cisr-i Cedid (New Bridge), opened in 1845 and charged tolls until 1930. The fourth bridge (1912) housed bars and restaurants underneath and was a key venue for modern Turkish rock music. That bridge was damaged by fire in 1992 and later partially repurposed between Ayvansaray and Hasköy.