• Bosphorus Strait - The Bosphorus, historically known as the Bosporus, is a strait and international waterway that separates Asia and Europe, linking the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea.

The Bosphorus generally runs in a northeast-southwest direction, splitting Istanbul into the European Side and the Anatolian Side.

The Bosphorus serves as a bridge between Asia and Europe, stretching 30 kilometers in length. It connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The strait has an average depth of 60 meters, with the deepest point reaching 120 meters. Its width varies significantly, with the widest point being 3500 meters.

Surface currents flow from the Black Sea to the Marmara, while underwater currents move from the Marmara to the Black Sea. Occasionally, counter currents appear on the surface.

• Dolmabahce Palace - Dolmabahçe Palace is an Ottoman palace situated on a 250,000 m² area in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, between Dolmabahçe Street (stretching from Kabataş to Beşiktaş) and the Bosphorus.

It is located on the left bank at the Bosphorus entrance from the Sea of Marmara, opposite Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk.

Dolmabahçe, once a cove where ships anchored in ancient times, became a favored residence of the sultanate, embodying centuries of history and the clear splendor of the Bosphorus waters.

• Ciragan Palace Kempinski - Commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed by architect Sarkis Balyan, the Cıragan Palace stands where a former wooden summer palace built by Selim III in 1800 once stood. During its construction, the wooden structure and the nearby Beşiktaş Mevlevihane were demolished.

Completed in 1871, the marble palace spans 80,000 square meters. After Abdulaziz was deposed, he and his family were imprisoned here. Similarly, after Murat V was deposed, he and his family were confined here for 29 years.

Following the declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy in 1908, the palace served as the House of Parliament but was damaged by fire in 1910. The grounds were later transferred to the Beşiktaş Sports Club and used as the Şeref Stadium. In the early 1990s, the palace was restored and reopened as a luxury hotel.

• Ortakoy - Ortaköy is a neighborhood in the Beşiktaş district on the European side of the Bosphorus. The Ortaköy district, comprising Ortaköy and Mecidiye neighborhoods, is situated on the slopes along a valley opening to the coast. The district is bordered by Kuruçeşme, Ulus, Levazım, Balmumcu, and Yıldız, with Defterdarburnu marking its northern boundary.

Ortaköy Bazaar is bustling throughout the day with its “intellectual market,” souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. However, the market is quieter in the early morning, with activity picking up after 10:00 am.

• Bosphorus Bridge - One of the two suspension bridges over the Bosphorus, the Bosphorus Bridge’s feet are located in Ortaköy on the European side and Beylerbeyi on the Anatolian side. The Bosphorus Bridge, the first bridge built over the Bosphorus, facilitates access between the city’s two sides, along with the later Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Bosphorus ferries.

The idea of building a bridge over the Bosphorus is quite old. After numerous attempts, construction began in 1970, and the bridge opened on October 29, 1973, the 50th anniversary of the Republic’s proclamation. This suspension bridge, a crucial link in Turkey’s transportation network, is active around the clock and serves as a key crossing point in the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Besides transportation, the bridge is a significant symbol of Istanbul, offering a unique view of the Bosphorus.

• Bebek Park - Bebek is a historic neighborhood in Istanbul, located on the European shores of the Bosphorus, surrounded by Arnavutköy, Etiler, and Rumeli Hisarı. The name Bebek, meaning “baby,” refers to the neighborhood’s attractive position on the Bosphorus. A popular residential area since Ottoman times, Bebek’s population reflects the diverse society of that era. Today, it is known for its historical buildings like Boğaziçi University, waterside mansions, beautiful Bosphorus views, and upscale restaurants.
• Rumeli Fortress - Situated in Sarıyer, Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı) was built directly across from Anadolu Hisarı (the Anatolian Fortress). Construction began in 1453 under Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus and was completed in just three months. Before the conquest of Istanbul, it served as a defense against naval attacks. After the conquest, it became an inspection point for maritime traffic on the Bosphorus.

Over the centuries, the fortress’s interior filled with small wooden houses, but these were removed during restoration work in 1953. Today, the fortress is known for hosting numerous summer concerts and functions as an open-air theater and museum.

• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Istanbul’s second bridge over the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü), connects Kavacık and Hisarüstü. Construction began in 1986, and the bridge opened on July 3, 1988. It is the 14th largest steel suspension bridge in the world.

Along with the Bosphorus Bridge and the city’s ferries, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge handles a significant portion of Istanbul’s trans-Bosphorus traffic and is a memorable part of the city’s skyline.

• Anadolu Hisari Fort - The Anatolian Fortress (Anadolu Hisarı) is located in Beykoz (on the Asian Side) at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. Built in 1395 by Beyazıt I, it consists of a citadel and exterior castle walls.

After the conquest of Istanbul, it lost much of its strategic importance and was converted into a military hospital. Over time, the area around the castle became settled. Today, waterfront houses and old mansions are scattered among the castle’s ruins. During restoration work from 1991-1993, it was converted into a museum, but it is not open to the public.

Currently, Anadolu Hisarı is an open-air museum, but only the outer walls can be visited, and a road passes through it.

• Kucuksu Pavilion - We will visit the Küçüksu Pavilion museum and experience history. Many Ottoman emperors used the Küçüksu Pavilion as a summer palace and hunting lodge.
• Beylerbeyi Palace - The Beylerbeyi Palace (meaning “Lord of Lords”) is an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860s on the Bosphorus shores. Today, it lies directly under the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by renowned architect Sarkis Balyan, the palace combines elements of Renaissance, Baroque, and other styles from both the East and West.

The main building is a two-story stone structure on a high basement, covering about 2,500 square meters in a rectangular layout. The south side of the palace was designated as the Imperial Mabeyn, and the north side as the Valide Sultan’s Apartment. The palace features six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam, and one bathroom across its two floors.

In addition to the stunning Bosphorus view and historical architecture, visitors should explore its lily pond and large garden.

• Galata Tower - Built by the Genoese in 1348, the nine-story Galata Tower stands 66.90 meters tall and was the city’s tallest building when constructed.

During the Ottoman era, the tower served various purposes, including as a fire observatory and a jail. Throughout its long history, the tower has witnessed many events, but the most notable was in 1632 when Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi glided from the top of the tower across the Bosphorus to Üsküdar using self-constructed wings.

In 1875, a storm destroyed the tower’s conical roof, which was not restored during the remainder of the Ottoman era. In the 1960s, the conical cap was restored, and the wooden interior was replaced with a concrete structure. Since then, the tower has been open to the public. Today, it houses a restaurant and café on its upper floor. With its prominent role in Istanbul’s skyline, Galata Tower offers a panoramic view of the city.

• Galata Koprusu - The history of the Galata Bridge (Galata Köprüsü), one of Istanbul’s most vibrant spots, dates back to 1845. The bridge spans the two sides of the Golden Horn and has undergone many changes over the years. It was most recently damaged by fire in 1992, leading to the construction of a new bridge. The beloved old bridge was relocated to Haliç.

The Galata Bridge is a significant symbol of Istanbul and plays an important role in the city’s daily life, literature, and popular culture. With its restaurants, cafes, and hookah lounges below, and tramway and pedestrian traffic above, it offers a splendid view of the city, especially in the evening.

Together with street vendors, people fishing from the bridge, and ferries docking nearby, it is one of the best places to experience daily life in Istanbul.

• Halic - The shores of the Golden Horn, a popular part of the historical peninsula, are a must-see on your Istanbul trip. Long and narrow, it has a horn-shaped geographical structure, hence the name Golden Horn.

The Golden Horn was also one of old Istanbul’s most important trade centers. Below, you can find information about popular places, attractions, activities, and transportation along the Golden Horn’s shores.

• Kiz Kulesi - The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a distinctive feature of the Bosphorus skyline. Built on a tiny island about 200 meters from the Üsküdar shore, the tower is the subject of many legends.

The most famous legend involves a sultan and his daughter. An oracle predicted that the sultan’s daughter would die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. To protect her, the sultan built the tower in the middle of the Bosphorus, where she lived in secrecy and safety.

On her 18th birthday, the sultan brought her a basket of fruit, unaware of a hidden snake inside. When the princess reached into the basket, she was bitten by the snake and died in her father’s arms, as foretold by the oracle. This legend gave the tower its name: Maiden’s Tower.

• Luxury yacht with passenger-focused decor
• Fresh seasonal fruit plate prepared daily
• Gourmet canapés and snacks on board
• Tour with knowledgeable guide
• Complimentary beverages including homemade lemonade, tea, and coffee

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Minimum drinking age is 18 years old and above.