Galataport Istanbul

Galataport Istanbul has very quickly become Istanbul’s favourite meeting spot since opening in October 2021. With a total investment value of $1.7 billion, Galataport Istanbul has been designed with a horizontal open-air urban planning approach with accessible low-rise buildings, in harmony with the historical texture of the area, offering its guests a breath of fresh air in a healthy and safe atmosphere. The central focus in design, construction and operations revolved around minimising the negative impact on the environment and reducing the project’s carbon footprint. As a result, Galataport Istanbul became Europe’s second largest project to receive LEED Platinum Certification.

Aiming to add value to the environment, economy, and society, Galataport Istanbul implements innovative practices that underline its dedication to sustainability. With the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) now in place for its operation period, the project continuously monitors its sustainability goals and develops actions to minimize its environmental impact and enhance its social contributions. Measures such as invasive species monitoring, seawater quality testing, and marine pollution prevention through advanced oil barrier services demonstrate its leadership in protecting marine life and maintaining the ecological balance of the Bosphorus.

The 29,000 sqm Galataport Istanbul Cruise Terminal, designed with a unique hatch system connected to an underground terminal, a first in the world, creates a temporary customs area while a ship is in port, which converts Istanbul’s historic pier into a unique promenade in an area that has been closed to public access since late 19th century, and leaves the pier free after the ship departs.

Galataport Istanbul is capable of accommodating three ships and 15,000 passengers a day, and the infrastructure lets it accommodate oasis-class cruise ships, which are the world’s largest vessels with more than 8,000 passengers including crew. As a home port, it has triggered great activity in cruise tourism in a vast geography spanning the Mediterranean basis and the Black Sea and contributed greatly to regional and national tourism and economy.

Galataport Istanbul’s game changer approach and innovations applied to operational processes, globally regarded as exemplary, were some of the factors that brought home the prestigious award, “Port of the Year” at the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2022. The cruise terminal’s architecture and interior design also won the international design award Red Dot which has been rewarding outstanding product designs globally since 1955. Transforming Istanbul’s historic port into a vibrant hub for gastronomy, arts & culture, and shopping through innovative engineering and architectural works, Galataport Istanbul was honored with the ‘Best New Development Project’ award at the 2023 International MAPIC Awards

Located in one of Istanbul’s most culturally diversified historic districts with breathtaking views of the Bosphorus and the Historical Peninsula, Galataport Istanbul is projected to welcome 25 million visitors annually, including 7 million international guests of which 1.5 million are cruise ship passengers and crew.