Galataport Istanbul reattributes 1.2 kilometers of the Bosphorus waterfront back to the city by building the world’s first underground terminal, redefining Istanbul’s historic port into a buzzing gastronomy, arts & culture and shopping neighborhood with office spaces and the Peninsula Istanbul.
Galataport Istanbul has very quickly become Istanbul’s favorite 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 minimizing 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.
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 port into a unique promenade in an area that has been closed to public access since late 19th century, and leaves the coastline 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 hub 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.
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.
