Bosphorus Strait

The Bosphorus Strait, also historically called Bosporus, separates the continents of Asia and Europe in Istanbul. It connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea and runs northeast to southwest, dividing Istanbul into the European Side and the Anatolian Side. The strait is about 30 kilometers long with an average depth of 60 meters, reaching up to 120 meters at its deepest point. Its width varies, reaching up to 3500 meters at the widest. Surface currents flow from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, while underwater currents flow in the opposite direction, with occasional surface counter currents.

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace is an Ottoman palace occupying 250,000 square meters in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district, situated along Dolmabahce Street between Kabataş and Beşiktaş, on the European side of the Bosphorus. Located on the left bank at the Bosphorus entrance from the Sea of Marmara, opposite Uskudar and Kuzguncuk, it was once a cove where ships anchored. It later became the favored residence of the sultanate, standing by the Bosphorus waters.

Cıragan Palace

Cıragan Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed by architect Sarkis Balyan. It was built on the site of a wooden summer palace constructed by Selim III in 1800, which was destroyed along with the nearby Besiktas Mevlevihane during construction. Completed in 1871, the marble palace covers 80,000 square meters. After Abdulaziz was deposed, he and his family were imprisoned here for years. Murat V was also imprisoned here with his family for 29 years. Following the 1908 declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy, the palace served as the House of Parliament but was damaged by fire in 1910. The grounds were later used as the Seref Stadium by Besiktas Sports Club before being restored and reopened as a luxury hotel in the early 1990s.

Ortakoy

Ortakoy is a neighborhood and district within Beşiktaş on the European side of the Bosphorus. It includes Ortakoy and Mecidiye districts, situated on slopes descending to the coast. Bordered by Kurucesme, Ulus, Levazım, Balmumcu, and Yildiz districts, its northern boundary is Defterdarburnu. Ortakoy Bazaar is lively throughout the day, with souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The market tends to be quiet early in the morning and becomes active after 10:00 am.

Bebek Park

Bebek is a historic neighborhood on the European shores of the Bosphorus, surrounded by Arnavutkoy, Etiler, and Rumeli Hisari. Its name means 'baby,' referring to its attractive location on the Bosphorus. It has been a popular residential area since Ottoman times, reflecting the diverse society of that period. Today it features historic buildings like Bogazici University, waterside mansions, and upscale restaurants with views of the Bosphorus.

Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge, one of two suspension bridges over the Bosphorus, connects Ortaköy on the European side with Beylerbeyi on the Anatolian side. Construction began in 1970 and the bridge opened on October 29, 1973, marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. It is a key transportation link in Istanbul and is part of the route for the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon. The bridge is an important symbol of the city with its unique views of the Bosphorus.

Rumeli Fortress

Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisari) is located in Sariyer on the European side of the Bosphorus, directly across from Anadolu Hisari on the Asian side. It was built in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus in just three months. Initially used to protect against naval attacks before the conquest of Istanbul, it later served as a maritime traffic checkpoint. Wooden houses inside the fortress were removed during restoration in 1953. Today, it functions as an open-air theater and museum, hosting summer concerts.

Anadolu Hisari Fort

Anadolu Hisari is a fortress on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Beykoz, located at the strait's narrowest point. Built in 1395 by Beyazit I, it consists of a citadel and outer castle walls. After Istanbul's conquest, it lost strategic importance and was converted into a military hospital. The surrounding area developed with waterfront houses and old mansions. Restoration between 1991 and 1993 turned it into a museum; however, it is not open to the public. Visitors can see the outer walls from the road passing through the site.

Kucuksu Pavilion

Kucuksu Pavilion is a small Ottoman summer palace located on the Bosphorus coast road between Uskudar and Beykoz. Ordered by Sultan Abdulmecit, it was designed by architect Nikogos Balyan. The pavilion has views of the Bosphorus and was used by sultans for relaxation. Its detailed furniture, paintings, carpets, and delicate features led to its opening as a museum during the Republican period.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is Istanbul's second bridge spanning the Bosphorus, connecting Kavacik and Hisarustu. Construction started in 1986 and it opened on July 3, 1988. It ranks as the 14th largest steel suspension bridge globally. Together with the Bosphorus Bridge and ferries, it carries much of the city's trans-Bosphorus traffic and is a notable part of Istanbul’s skyline.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace is an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860s on the Bosphorus shore beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by architect Sarkis Balyan, it blends Renaissance, Baroque, and Eastern and Western styles. The main building is two stories made of stone on a high basement, occupying about 2,500 square meters. The south side housed the Imperial Mabeyn, and the north side the Valide Sultan's Apartment. It contains six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam, and one bathroom. The palace grounds include a lily pond and a large garden.

KIz Kulesi

The Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi) is a distinctive tower on a small island about 200 meters from Uskudar’s shore in the Bosphorus. It is linked to legends, including one about a sultan who built the tower to protect his daughter from a prophecy that she would die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. Despite his efforts, the daughter was bitten by a snake hidden in a gift basket and died as foretold, giving the tower its name.

Galata Koprusu

Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn and is one of Istanbul’s lively locations. First built in 1845 and rebuilt after a fire in 1992, the current bridge carries tramway and pedestrian traffic above, with restaurants, cafes, and hookah lounges below. The bridge is a popular place for fishing and viewing ferries, capturing daily life in Istanbul and providing views of the city, especially at night.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower was built by Genoese in 1348 and is 66.90 meters tall with nine stories. It was the tallest building in the city when constructed. During the Ottoman Era, it was used for various purposes including a fire observatory and a jail. In 1632, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi glided from the top of the tower across the Bosphorus to Uskudar using self-made wings. The tower’s conical roof was destroyed during a storm in 1875 and remained unrestored through the Ottoman period. In the 1960s, the conical roof was restored and the wooden interior was replaced with concrete. Since then, the tower has been open to the public and contains a restaurant and cafe on its upper floor.

Halic

The Golden Horn (Halic) is a long, narrow inlet shaped like a horn, forming part of Istanbul’s historic peninsula. It has been a key trade center in the city’s history and features many notable places, activities, and transportation options along its shores.