Karaköy, Istanbul: Things to Do, What to Eat and the Ferry Pier
Karaköy sits at the northern end of the Galata Bridge, where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. Ferries dock here, old bank buildings line the street behind, and baklava shops face the water. This guide covers getting there, the ferry pier, the best things to do in Karaköy, where to eat, and a half-day walking route.
Where is Karaköy and how to get there
Karaköy is the modern name for the waterfront of historic Galata. Galata Tower is up the hill, Galataport and Tophane are to the east, and Eminönü is across the bridge.
- Tram (T1): Get off at Karaköy, right at the foot of the bridge. For Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque and Galataport, Tophane is closer.
- Tünel: Opened in 1875, it is the world's second-oldest underground railway after London's. It climbs from Karaköy to the bottom of İstiklal Avenue in a few minutes.
- Metro (M2): Get off at Şişhane and walk downhill past Galata Tower. The Camondo Stairs drop you onto Bankalar Caddesi.
- On foot from Eminönü: About 10 minutes across the Galata Bridge.
Karaköy Pier and ferries
There are two main piers. The Şehir Hatları pier (the city ferry company) is east of the bridge on Rıhtım Caddesi; the current, larger pier opened in 2018. The private Turyol pier is on the Golden Horn side, right by the bridge.
Şehir Hatları lines from Karaköy include Kadıköy–Karaköy–Eminönü, Kadıköy–Karaköy–Beşiktaş, Üsküdar–Karaköy–Eminönü and Bostancı–Moda–Karaköy–Kabataş. On the Kadıköy line, ferries leave roughly every 20 minutes during the day; after 21:00 there is a direct sailing every half hour until 01:00. Some early-morning sailings don't run on Sundays and public holidays. Turyol also sails from Karaköy to Kadıköy and Üsküdar.
Timetables change by season; check sehirhatlari.istanbul or turyol.com. An Istanbulkart works on both.
Things to do in Karaköy
Bankalar Caddesi. Officially Voyvoda Caddesi, this was the Ottoman Empire's financial heart from the late 19th century until banks moved north in the 1990s. Start at Minerva Han, a rounded 1911–1913 bank building, then continue to SALT Galata, the former Ottoman Bank headquarters by Alexandre Vallaury. It now holds a research library, exhibitions and the Ottoman Bank Museum in the old vaults; entry has long been free, but check SALT's website. Nearby, Karaköy Palas (Giulio Mongeri, 1920) reopened in 2026 as an art space.
Camondo Stairs. Curving stone stairs linked to the Camondo banking family, dated to 1870–1880. The shortest way up to Galata Tower.
Yeraltı Camii (Underground Mosque). Just behind the pier, this was the basement of the Byzantine castle that guarded the Golden Horn; one end of the harbour chain is said to have been tied here. It became a mosque in 1753–1756.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque. A late work by Mimar Sinan in Tophane, completed in 1580. Its restored hamam reopened in 2012 and has separate hours for men and women.
Galataport and Istanbul Modern. A 1.2 km public waterfront opened in 2021, with Istanbul Modern in its Renzo Piano building since 2023.
Galata Tower. A 10-minute climb via the Camondo Stairs or Yüksek Kaldırım.
What to eat in Karaköy
Baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu. In 1949 Mustafa Güllü, from a Gaziantep baklava family, opened what sources describe as Istanbul's first baklava shop in Karaköy. Today the historic Karaköy shop, on Mumhane Caddesi, is run by his son Nadir Güllü and his family. You will also see the name Faruk Güllüoğlu: Faruk Güllü left the family business in 1993 to start his own company. The two are separate businesses, and the use of the name was long disputed within the family. Faruk Güllü's company has been under state trusteeship (TMSF) since 2016.
Karaköy Lokantası. A classic lokanta on Kemankeş Caddesi: a daily-changing tradesmen's lunch, meze and fish in the evening. Listed as a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Türkiye. Book for dinner.
Fish sandwiches. The Karaköy fish market by the bridge reopened in a new building in 2015 and has around 25 businesses. Stalls around it serve balık ekmek and fish wraps.
Dinner. Ali Ocakbaşı Karaköy (grill and tandoor, Bib Gourmand 2026) is on an upper floor by the water. Tershane, on the 8th floor of Hotel Momento, serves meze and kebabs with old-city views (Bib Gourmand 2026). Mükellef, founded by chef Arda Türkmen, is a modern meyhane; book ahead at weekends.
Breakfast and coffee. Mumhane Caddesi and the Galataport waterfront are full of breakfast spots. Karabatak, on Kara Ali Kaptan Sokak, was one of the first cafés of Karaköy's revival. Weekday mornings are calmest.
A half-day Karaköy walk
- Arrive by ferry at Karaköy Pier.
- Yeraltı Camii, behind the pier.
- Minerva Han and Bankalar Caddesi.
- SALT Galata and the Ottoman Bank Museum (allow an hour).
- Camondo Stairs, and Galata Tower if you have time.
- Baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.
- Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque and a sunset walk along Galataport.
A short history
In 1267 the Byzantine emperor handed the north shore of the Golden Horn to Genoese merchants. They walled it in, against Byzantine wishes, and in 1348 crowned it with Galata Tower. After 1453 the port grew into one of the most mixed neighbourhoods of the Ottoman capital. Most of the walls came down in the 19th century, and by the 1890s Voyvoda Caddesi was lined with banks and insurers, earning it the nickname "the Wall Street of the Ottomans". When the banks left in the 1990s, their buildings became libraries and galleries, and the warehouses became cafés.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Karaköy?
Walk Bankalar Caddesi, visit SALT Galata, climb the Camondo Stairs, see Yeraltı Camii and Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque, and end at Galataport.
How do I get to Karaköy?
T1 tram to Karaköy, the Tünel funicular from İstiklal, the M2 to Şişhane, or a ferry.
How long is the ferry from Karaköy to Kadıköy?
About 20 minutes on direct sailings.
What time is the last ferry from Karaköy to Kadıköy?
01:00 on the current Şehir Hatları timetable. Check the official site before travelling.
Is there a ferry from Karaköy to Üsküdar?
Yes, run by Şehir Hatları and Turyol.
Is Karaköy Güllüoğlu the same as Faruk Güllüoğlu?
No. Both come from the Güllü family, but they are separate businesses. The historic Karaköy shop is run by Nadir Güllü's family.
Where can I eat a fish sandwich in Karaköy?
At the fish market by the Karaköy end of the Galata Bridge.
Is Karaköy worth visiting?
Yes. It packs history, food and ferries into a small, walkable area next to Galata Tower.