Along the '''Bosphorus''' (Turkish: ''Bo?az'', but ''Bo?azici'' ?literally _ginside the Bosphous_h- is preferred when refering to the areas on the bank of Bosphorus, rather than the Bosphorus itself), the strait that lies between Marmara (an arm of Mediterranean) and the Black Sea, and seperating Europe and Asia, lies a number of neighborhoods each with a different character, palaces of the late Ottoman period, and parks. This is quite easily one of the most scenic parts of Istanbul.

This article concentrates on European bank of Bosphorus. For the Asian bank, see Istanbul/Asian Side.

Get in

  • '''Buses''' to this district depart from Kabata? tram station, Taksim Square, and '''Be?ikta?''' among others. There are many bus lines run on the avenue following the Bosphorus bank up to Sar?yer in the north.
  • ''' ''Dolmu?''es ''' to Be?ikta? are available from Taksim, and Ni?anta?? in European Side, and Kad?koy, and Bostanc? in Asian Side.
  • '''Ferries''' from Uskudar and Kad?koy in Asian Side anchor at Be?ikta? quay.
  • See

  • Dolmabahce Palace. olmabahce Saray?. olmabahce Cad., Be?ikta?. 90 212 236 90 00. 90 212 236 35 77. ttp://www.dolmabahce.gov.tr/source.cms.docs/dolmabahce.gov.tr.ce/dolmabahce.html. u-We/Fr-Su 9AM-3PM. 5 TL for 'Selaml?k', 10 TL for 'Harem', 20 TL for both. 1 TL for students. See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahce shore. Build on 110,000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years. Visits only in guided tours (45 min) in major spoken languages. Extra fee for Harem, the part of the palace the residents lived.

  • '''Ortakoy'''— A shore line of the Bosphorus beside the Ortakoy mosque -the baroque mosque located under the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the most iconic images of Istanbul. This artsy neighborhood is filled with nice cafes and a perfect view crowded and fun.
  • Sakip Sabanci Museum. ak?p Sabanc? Muzesi. ak?p Sabanc? Caddesi 42, Emirgan. uses: 40, 40T from Taksim; 22, 22RE, 25E from Kabata?. Get off at C?naralt? stop. 90 212 277 22 00. uze@sabanciuniv.edu. 90 212 229 49 14. ttp://muze.sabanciuniv.edu/main/default.php?bytLanguageID=2. u, Th, F, Su 10AM-6PM; W, Sa 10AM-10PM. 0 TL (3 TL students). Museum with a rich collection of calligraphy and paintings. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of works by some world-class artists such as Pablo Picasso from time to time.

    Do

  • '''Bosphorus Cruise''' The best way to see the Bosphorus in all its beauty is to take a boat trip. This is the strategic waterway connecting the Black sea to the Mediterranean, and dividing Istanbul into two continents. As the boat zigzags between Asia and Europe, you can admire the old Ottoman wooden houses, 6 Ottoman palaces, 2 suspended bridges, and 2 medieval castles.
  • Buy

    Eat

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

  • Naz Turkish Cuisine. ay?ld?m Cad. No:2 Macka, Be?ikta?. 90 212 326 11 75. ttp://www.nazturk.com/en/. 1:30AM-1AM. Turkish cuisine.

  • ''' Park Fora''' [http://www.parkfora.com/main.php]. Great seafood, located in Kuruce?me park right on the edge of the sea, it has a very nice view of the Bosphorus and Bosphorus Bridge. The waiters know English. Prices range from 50 - 150 YTL per person.
  • '''Divan''' Cevdet Pa?a Caddesi No: 121, Bebek, +90 212 257 72 70 [http://www.divan.com.tr/gastronomi/bebek/default.asp?sxx=1]. At first sight it may seem like a mere patisserie, but walk downstairs and you'll find a lovely restaurant with the waters of the Bosphorus right next to you. The food is simply first-class and the service is very good, too.
  • Drink

  • Sheerwood. aymakc? Sokak 14, Ortakoy. lose to the Ortakoy Mosque. 90 212 231 00 44. This pub/bar has extremely friendly staff service, and cheap drinks. At nights it becomes a sort of disco.

  • '''Q Jazz Club''', Ciragan Caddesi 84, Besiktas, +90 2122362121. 10AM-4AM. Jazz lovers cannot miss this a 17th century brick cellar style bar that caters to the whims of jazz fans.
  • Two of the hottest clubs of Istanbul are in '''Ortakoy''':

  • '''Crystal''', Muallim Naci Caddesi 109, +90 212 2611988. Midnight-5AM. One of Istanbul_fs biggest underground clubs: house and techno can be heard on Fridays and Saturdays, garage and jazzy house on Wednesdays.
  • '''Reina''', Muallim Naci Caddesi 10 [http://www.reina.com.tr]. Actually a vast playground filled with bars, restaurants and dance floors. Voted one of the best outdoors clubs in Europe.
  • Sleep

    Splurge

  • '''Ciragan Palace Kempinski''', Ciragan Caddesi No:32, Besiktas, +90 212 326 4646 (fax: +90 212 259 6687, reservations.ciraganpalace@kempinski.com) [http://www.ciragan-palace.com]. Located on the Bosphorus coast just south of the main square of Ortakoy, this hotel is in a residence of the last Sultan. Rooms come with air-con, TV, minibar and safety deposit box. Hotel has several restaurants and lounges, pools, jacuzzi, Turkish baths, gym and other amenities. Rooms start around $450 (USD) and can get much higher.
  • '''Ritz-Carlton Istanbul''', Suzer Plaza, Elmadag, Askerocagi Cad. No: 15, Sisli, Phone: +90 212 334 44 44 (fax: +90 212 334 44 55), [http://www.RitzCarlton.com/Istanbul]. Standing tall near the Bosphorus, the Ritz Carlton is located in the heart of Istanbul overlooking the Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace.
  • '''W Hotel Istanbul''', Suleyman Seba Cad No: 22, Akaretler, Be?ikta?, Phone: +90 212 381 2121, [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3028]. Just opened in April 2008, the W Hotel chain continues to impress in Istanbul with rooms and suites adorned with wi fi, flatscreen TVs, and the signature W Hotel luxuries that has made its hotels famous. Fitness center and business center onsite as well as a fine dining restaurant that tempts patrons with its decadent offerings.
  • '''Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul''', Bay?ld?m Caddesi No:2 Macka, Be?ikta?, +90 212 326 1100 (fax: +90 212 326 1122, istanbul@swissotel.com) [http://www.swissotel.com.tr]. Located on a hill behind the Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul commands panoramic views of the Bosphorus, the Asian coast and the old city of Istanbul.
  • Contact