Many travelers visiting Istanbul have surely noticed two huge structures on the city's Asian side—the majestic white mosque with six minarets and a tall tower of unusual shape. Both of these landmarks bear the name Çamlıca, named after the hills on which they are situated. I wrote about the mosque about a year and a half ago; today, let's explore the observation deck of Istanbul's modern television tower.
Çamlıca Tower: How to Reach the Observation Deck
You can reach the tower by metro; it is on the M5 line, at the "Kısıklı" station. There are also several bus stops nearby. Planning your trip using the Moovit app is convenient for public transportation.
I am constantly amazed at the rising prices for visiting Istanbul's attractions: in May 2023, the ascent to the tower's observation deck cost 370 lira for tourists and 150 lira for residents (holders of ikamet permits). Now, in the summer of 2024, foreigners will have to pay 900 lira. The tower's website mentions an option for expedited access, priced at 1,600 lira. On the day I visited, there were no entrance queues, so such a ticket may not always be necessary.
Visitors can book a table at the restaurant in advance. The restaurant occupies the 39th and 40th floors of the tower.
A Bit of History
The tower, which has already become one of Istanbul's symbols, can be considered one of the city's newest attractions, opened in 2020. In the past, this area was home to numerous disparate radio and television towers.
The structure is located on a 218-meter hill, with the tower itself standing at a height of 369 meters. It consists of 4 underground and 45 above-ground floors. Observation decks are situated at 148 and 153 meters high. During construction, seismic safety and the area's high wind load were taken into account. I remember one January evening when the wind on Çamlıca Hill nearly blew people off their feet. Weather conditions can change rapidly, so this should be taken into account when visiting the tower.
Thanks to the tower's construction, a large number of antenna structures have disappeared from Istanbul's skyline, which, as stated on the tower's official website, caused electromagnetic and visual pollution in the city. Information boards inside mention that this is the world's first location where hundreds of radio stations broadcast from one point on different frequencies.
Externally, the structure looks very modern and unconventional. Online, I've come across mentions that the tower resembles a tulip flower or a radio wave. Inside, everything looks quite typical: the ground floor features a large space with ticketing and waiting areas, while high-speed elevators take you upstairs. The observation deck encircles the tower, offering a 360-degree view of the city. However, it's worth noting that there aren't many interesting tourist sites on the Asian side. On a clear day, the historic sights of Istanbul's old city should be visible from the tower, but on the day of my visit, only their outlines were discernible due to haze.
Certainly, Çamlıca Tower is not the only place in the city where you can admire the urban landscape. You can explore other viewpoints of the metropolis in my collection.
Have a nice trip!
