Galataport Istanbul

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"A shiny shopping center and cruise terminal that represents the evolving face of Istanbul, featuring the Renzo Piano–designed Istanbul Modern and a pedestrian shopping area."

"In development for several years, this much-anticipated social and culture destination is finally debuting in October and will anchor the waterfront in the Karakoy district. Design sights include the world’s first underground cruise ship terminal, museums, and a collection of restaurants and stores located in former warehouses that have been reimagined into modern spaces."

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"Galataport, which is on the European side of the Bosphorus. For those who aren't aware, the Bosphorus basically divides Europe and Asia, so you can switch between continents when you're in the city, which is a novelty that has never gotten old for me. But Galataport has been a long time coming and it is a huge social, cultural, leisure area on the waterfront near Karaköy, which is a super cool neighborhood. The reason why it's got so developed is because it is going to be the new cruise terminal, so for anyone who is planning on cruising through Europe or the Middle East, chances are you might be passing through Galataport next year and beyond. But it's also the site of the new Renzo Piano–designed Istanbul Modern museum, which is the major contemporary art museum in Istanbul, which I've always loved and I think is fantastic and I'm very excited to see the new space."

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"A modern waterfront redevelopment centered on a cruise-ship terminal that has transformed the shoreline into a mixed-use destination with shops, dining, and cultural venues, often highlighted as part of the city's contemporary attractions and shopping scene." - Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines