Bosphorus, for which countless wars have been fought throughout history, stands out as a place of great commercial, social, and tourist importance. Not to mention the magnificent view of the strait itself. When viewed from the opposite shore, the smiling conical roof of the Galata Tower and the cries of seagulls circling around it… To say ‘beautiful’ would be an understatement for this sight.
Where is Bosphorus?
It separates the continents of Asia and Europe. Of course, it also divides Istanbul into two parts: Europe and Anatolia. The neighbourhoods with a coastline along the Bosphorus include Beşiktaş, Ortaköy, Bebek, Arnavutköy, İstinye…
Places to Visit in Bosphorus
We should remind you that you can find more about Bosphorus on the Piri Guide mobile app. Piri Guide detects your location, offers you the best travel routes, and starts telling you the hidden stories of wherever you are. All you have to do is to get your headphones or earbuds and follow the path at your own pace. Then, don’t set out for your trip before downloading the digital travel guide! 😊
Dolmabahçe Palace
This magnificent palace, built between 1843 and 1846, is just one of the structures gifted to us by the Armenian Balyan family. Dolmabahçe Palace, consisting of three parts, is known to have used the central section for meetings. This part, also known as the State Ceremonies Hall, features a stunning dome above it.
As a side note, it’s worth mentioning that on November 10, 1938, the mortal remains of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who passed away on that date, were first opened to the public for visitation in this meeting hall.
Üsküdar
Üsküdar, one of the esteemed neighbourhoods of Istanbul, is rich in terms of religious structures. Along the coastline, you can explore an incredibly enjoyable route on an Istanbul Bosphorus tour, starting from the Mimar Sinan-designed Mihrimah Mosque to the Yeni Valide Mosque dating back to the 1710s, and from the Atik Valide Mosque to the Şemsipaşa Mosque, which dates back to 1580.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski
What makes this palace, built in the late 19th century, particularly special is its gardens located behind it. This area has been the venue for hosting famous weddings. Just behind it, you can find the Yahya Efendi Tomb. Continuing along the coastline, you can also see the historic buildings of Galatasaray University and Kabataş High School.
Ortaköy
Right behind the Ortaköy Pier in Istanbul, you can see the house of the Balyan family, which contributed to many historic structures in the city. The Baroque-style Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, which adds character and silhouette to the city, is one of the most important landmarks on the Istanbul Bosphorus.
As you continue along the magnificent coast of Ortaköy, you’ll first come across Esma Sultan Mansion, followed by Sarkis Balyan Mansion, Fehime Sultan Mansion, and Hatice Sultan Mansion. Another significant structure hosted by Ortaköy is, of course, the first bridge. This bridge, built by British engineers, was a gift to the city on the 50th anniversary of the Republic.
Rumeli Fortress
Among the most valuable landmarks that can be seen on an Istanbul Bosphorus tour, Rumeli Hisarı undoubtedly stands out. As you take a little tour of the waters of the Bosphorus, the silhouette of the fortress with its thick walls follows you. Situated at one of the narrowest points of the Bosphorus, Rumeli Hisarı was built in 1452 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet to cut off Byzantine aid during the conquest of Istanbul.
After the Bosphorus, you can check out our Travel Guide to the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul! ❤️
