Cool historical site. Nice view of city from top. Nice interpretive content explaining history of…read moretower. Price (30 euros) is too high (but Isanbul's tourist attractions in general are priced quite high) but Museum Turkey pass covers site. Definitely a site worth checking out.

Originally commissioned by Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great in the 6th century as a…read morelighthouse, it would then serve as a strategic watchtower, later a dungeon, now it's a museum. It's the iconic symbol of Istanbul. I think this might be the only UNESCO World Heritage Site I couldn't give 5 stars to, and that's because they don't keep to posted hours. It's sometimes just closed and there's no way to find out without coming here. Some reviews say to visit if nearby, but there are plenty of reasons to be in the area anyway, crossing the bridge over the Bosphorus, climbing up to or back from Pera, and the shopping right around here. Plus, you can meet some nice cats. The view from the top is spectacular, the climb up a little less fun. It's one of the oldest structures surviving in Istanbul, so even if entry is closed, it is well worth it to get up close and look at it from all around. The aggressive guides are a nuisance and you certainly don't need them.

Otopark gayet temiz ancak oto yıkama görevlileri çok ahlaksız ve saygısızdı. Arabamı teslim…read moreettikten sonra belli bir saatte geleceğimi belirtmiştim ancak geldiğimde anahtarımın patronlarının elinde olduğunu söylediler. Bana yaklaşık olarak yarım saat sonra anahtarı ulaştırabileceklerini söylemelerine rağmen bir buçuk saat sonra anahtarıma ulaşabildim. Ulaştığımda ise bana benim ne kadar sabırsız olduğum hakkında laf ettiler. Bir daha hiç gitmeyeceğim ve ve gitmenizi de önermem. The parking lot was very clean but the car wash attendants were very rude and disrespectful. I had stated that I would pick up my car at a specific time but when I arrived they told me that my keys were in the hands of their boss and the boss wasn't currently there. Although they told me that they could deliver the keys in about half an hour, I was able to get them in about an hour and a half. When I did, they made fun of how impatient I was. I will never go there again and I do not recommend that you go there either.