Located on the crossroads of two continents, Istanbul has always been heavy with traffic, be it merchant ships, war fleets, trading caravans or, in the modern times, major railroads or huge cruise ships. Also, as the city is divided into two parts by the Bosphorus strait, there was the constant need of sea traffic for commuters and travelers. The city is somewhat defined by sea traffic, since one of the major reasons for founding Byzantium on this exact location was because of the importance of the Bosphorus and the ideal natural port that is Golden Horn. Today, not only do ferries sail from one side of the city to the other, but also north and south along the coastline, which can be faster than using roads on the land. As the city is an extremely popular touristic destination, there is the presence of large cruising ships docking at the main port, and also small boat cruising tours along the Bosphorus and into the Marmara Sea, all the way to Prince’s Islands. All this being said, it is obvious that Istanbul has lots of docks, with various companies operating with different types of vessels, docks that have been essential parts of some neighborhoods prospering and thriving. Below is a list of the most important piers in the city, along with some useful information.

Firstly, of course, the Port of Istanbul. Operated and owned by Turkish Maritime Lines, which is, in turn, owned by the state, it is located in the Kadikoy neighborhood of the Beyoglu district, occupying the northern side of the entrance of Golden Horn into the Bosphorus, extending all the way from Galata Bridge to Salipazari on the western shore of the strait. The construction of the first pier, the Galata Pier, also known as Yolcu Salonu, was completed in 1900, taking full 8 years. Five warehouses were constructed additionally, in 1910 and 1928, and, starting from 1952, the ships docked here would receive full service and support, with all the necessary logistics handled by the port authority. Due to the increase in traffic, it was decided that another pier was needed, and in 1957 the Salipazari Pier was added to the existing one. With that addition, the port served as the country’s biggest cargo seaport until 1986, when it could no longer cope with the ever-growing demands of container shipping. From 1988, both piers serve only as passenger terminals, with the Salipazari one being extended further in 2007. As of 2014, the Yolcu Salonu is closed because of preparations for construction of Galataport in 2015; hence all the traffic is being handled by Salipazari pier. Major companies that operate on this terminal include Oceania, Costa, Princess and Celebrity among others.

The terminal is perfectly placed for visiting the city’s major touristic attractions and central spots. When you’ve landed at the terminal and left the Salipazari Pier, you have a choice of going by foot, taking a tram, taxi, or private transport. If you have enough time, taking the tram is recommended. You should turn left as soon as you exit the terminal, taking a 10 minute walk to the Tophane tram stop. As soon as you’ve turned left, you should be able to see the imposing Galata Tower, as well as the Nusretiye mosque ahead. As you walk towards the mosque, you’ll find useful shops for beverage and snacks, as well as banks and ATM-s. While passing the mosque on the Bosphorus side of it, you will pass through streets filled with nargile bars with fantastic atmosphere. When you get to the stop, after buying jetton, take the Kabatas – Bagcilar tram in the direction of Bagcilar to get to Eminonu, Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar and other popular attractions. If you take the other direction, to Kabatas, you can easily reach the Taksim square or take some of the ferry cruises from the docks there.

As for the ferry traffic, there is a large number of docks spread around the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, with plenty of options for travelling by sea or going on a cruise of various length. Just opposite from the Port of Istanbul, on the other side of the Galata Bridge, the coastline of Eminonu is home to a lot of docks with many different companies offering to take you across the Bosphorus. North of the Port, the Kabatas dock offers an unforgettable cruise to the Prince’s Islands, as well as ports of Uskudar, Kadikoy and Bostanci on the Anatolian side of the city. Two companies operate a full-day Bosphorus cruise, from the docks of Eminonu, Kabatas and Besiktas, taking you to the northernmost port of Anadolu Kavagi and back, for an exciting trip with splendid scenery throughout.