Kamondo Stairs
Duration
15 min
Admission
Free
Best time
Afternoon
Budget
Free
About this place
The Kamondo Stairs are one of Istanbul's most distinctive and photographed architectural gems, a graceful curved double staircase winding up from Bankalar Caddesi in Karaköy toward the Galata neighbourhood above. Built in the 1860s by the wealthy Sephardic Jewish banking dynasty the Camondo family, the ornate Art Nouveau staircase connected their banking offices below with their residential neighbourhood above.
Tips
Visit in the early morning for the most atmospheric and uncrowded experience, as the stairs have become an increasingly popular photography destination and can get busy during peak hours. The surrounding Bankalar Caddesi, or Banks Street, is one of Istanbul's most historically fascinating streets, lined with grand 19th-century Ottoman banking buildings worth exploring at a leisurely pace. The stairs are located in Karaköy within easy walking distance of the Galata Tower, Galataport, and the Galata Bridge, making them a natural and rewarding addition to any exploration of this increasingly vibrant and creative neighbourhood.