Istanbul - Panorama from Galata Tower

From the north end of the square Yüksek Kaldirim in Istanbul, a steep street lined with shops and with 113 steps on each side, goes up to the Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi), off the street to the left. (The tower can also be reached by following Voyvoda Caddesi and bearing right). The Galata Tower (68m/223ft high), originally built in Byzantine times, was restored in 1423 by the Genoese and again in 1875; it now contains a restaurant and a night-club and affords the best general view of the city.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

Dolmabahçe Palace / Museum

The street continues up to Tunnel Square, with the upper station of the Tünel, an underground funicular, in the main part of Beyoglu (Lord's Son), and the old district formerly known as Pera. The upper part of Beyoglu, around Taksim Square, was developed only in the 19th century in European style; in this area there are numerous hotels, foreign consulates, churches, schools and hospitals.