Is it worth climbing Galata Tower in Istanbul?

If you're unsure whether it's worth it, it probably isn't for you — there's a big gap between how the tower looks from outside and what's actually inside.

For the entrance fee (around 30 lira) there are more interesting things to do — inside the tower itself there's not much besides crowds. As an alternative, try afternoon tea at the Pera Palace hotel for a better experience.

The tower is more impressive from the outside — its size and location — than the view from inside. Worth going up once if you're really out of other things to do.

Definitely worth going up — it's an unforgettable feeling, different from just viewing the tower from nearby rooftop cafés. It's nice later to see the tower in shows or on Instagram and know you've actually been up there.

The same applies to the Maiden's Tower — nearby cafés with terraces offer a view of it, but actually going inside gives a completely different experience.