SALT Galata

The place is clean and spacious. The library looks like a convenient place to work from. And it’s free. But there was only one exhibition, I expected more.

Very quiet and calm. I felt lots of relaxation and restoring in this cultural place! Really appreciated the fine cuisine. I found this place very stylish and not less efficient for a good study session.

SALT Galata is part of the larger architectural conversion project, SALT, which aimed to renovate and repurpose two 19th-century buildings in the same neighborhood. This specific building was designed by French Ottoman architect Alexandre Vallaury as the headquarters of the Osmanlı Bank, with the conversion to its present state carried out by Han Tümertekin. Today, SALT Galata is a multifunctional space that houses a public specialty library, a restricted archival research area, and an auditorium for various architecture/art-related activities such as talks, seminars, and screenings. The library has a good selection of periodicals on architecture and contemporary art. It also has a rare book selection in private space. Additionally, it is home to a smaller branch of the renowned Robinson Crusoe 389 bookstore (with the main branch located in SALT Beyoğlu. Robinson Crusoe used to be a beautiful bookstore on the famous İstiklal Avenue (389 was the door number), but it had to close back in 2014. It no longer sells mainly English titles) and Neolokal, a One Michelin-starred restaurant that only serves customers after hours. I believe it is a unique space where people can relax and recharge both their minds and souls. There is no admission fee and it offers great views toward Haliç and the historic peninsula. Most tourist itineraries overlook it, which can be seen as both a blessing and a curse, depending on your perspective.

This place is a historic building + art gallery + museum + library + music store + cafe shop + cafeteria + bar + workshops + auditorium. The natural lighting inside the building is very beautiful and stunning. People come here to take photos of themselves within the corridors of this building and its colorful lighting. The museum wasn’t that interesting to me. The entrance is for free.

Very cool concept and a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon in Istanbul. The building used to be a bank and they transformed it into a cool museum on the old Ottoman Bank, library, cafe and restaurant. The museum is on the ground floor and the 1st floor has the cafe and restaurant. The next floors have more seating and workshop spaces. It’s free to get in and the restaurant is decently priced. I only got coffee but it was tasty. I enjoyed watching the cooks in the open kitchen. Great spot to take some really nice photos as well, very instagrammable!