The Sapphire (Istanbul Sapphire AVM) is a skyscraper in Istanbul, which houses: a shopping center, an observation deck with a panoramic restaurant and a helicopter flight simulator.
Istanbul Sapphire is one of the most remarkable modern skyscraper buildings in Istanbul.
The Sapphire is located on the European side of Istanbul, in the business center of the city - Levant (Levent).
The construction of the skyscraper was completed in 2010. It has 54 ground floors and 10 underground floors.
The Sapphire is one of the tallest buildings in Istanbul and Turkey. It has a height of 238 meters; and the total structural height of the building is 261 meters, including the spire, which is part of the design.
On the lower and underground floors of the Sapphire skyscraper there is a shopping center, a cinema, restaurants and a catering area.
Also, Sapphire is a business center and a residential complex, there is a swimming pool, a golf course and a winter garden.
On the top - 54th floor of the skyscraper, at an altitude of 236 meters, there is the most attractive tourist object in Sapphire - a 360-degree observation deck (Sapphire Observation Terrace 360 °), giving stunning panoramic views of Istanbul.
There is also a cafe and restaurant, a souvenir shop and a simulator of Skyride 4D Istanbul virtual helicopter flight tour over Istanbul.
The observation deck is an open terrace and is fenced off with glass. There are glass enclosed spaces where there is a cafe-restaurant.
The views from the observation deck are fascinating, the whole of Istanbul is at a glance.
Practical information
Address of the Sapphire skyscraper: Emniyetevleri Mh. Eski Büyükdere Cd. No:1 Kağıthane-Istanbul.
Coordinates of the Sapphire skyscraper: 41°05'06.0"N 29°00'22.0"E (41.085000, 29.006111).
You can get from the historical center of Istanbul to the Sapphire skyscraper by bus or metro line M2 - station 4.Levent. From the metro station, you can go directly to the Sapphire.
Next to the Sapphire Skyscraper there is a public bus stop E-3, which goes to/from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Sabiha Gökçen Uluslararası Havalimanı).
The Istanbul transport card is valid in all transports.
The ascent to the Sapphire observation deck is paid. There is a complex ticket: observation room + simulator. The price of a full ticket to the observation deck is 350 lire, a combo ticket to the observation deck + attraction 4D is 525 lira.
Tickets for the observation deck and flight simulator can be purchased on the lower (2nd) floor of the shopping center in Sapphire, and then go up to the 54th floor by high-speed elevator.
We recommend checking the opening hours of the Sapphire Center and other information on the official website of Sapphire: sapphireavym.
Near the Sapphire skyscrapers, you can stay at the 5-star hotel Sheraton Istanbul Levent with a restaurant, bar, wellness center with indoor pool, sauna and fitness center.
The hotel offers panoramic views of the city.
The rooms are equipped with cable TV, a work desk, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe and tea/coffee making facilities. Link to the hotel 
All accommodation facilities in Istanbul, including in the historical center, on the European and Asian sides of the city, can be view and book here
