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The city of Istanbul is a dynamic patchwork of picturesque neighborhoods, lively streets, stately mosques, bustling markets, and, of course, incredible restaurants and cafes, all bearing the traces—and more — of thousands of years of history. But today we’re going to the Bosphorus, the very center of Istanbul.
Istanbul is a city that has been featured in hundreds of novels, poems, songs, and movies due to its majestic beauty and diversity. One can walk a short distance and see anything from ancient ruins to cutting-edge malls. The city’s vitality stems from its multiethnic population and long history of cultural exchange. With over 16 million people calling it home, Istanbul is a city that never sleeps, and where each neighborhood has its fascinating history.
The Bosphorus Strait is the beating heart of Istanbul, which in turn is the beating heart of Turkey. Even though locals and tourists are used to the beauty of the Bosphorus, they are never disappointed by it.
The Greek words “cow” (bous) and “road” (poros) combine to form the name “Bosphorus.” That is to say, “Cow Pass.”
The commonly held theory about the phrase’s inception goes like this: Recognized for his sociability, Zeus develops feelings for Io, the daughter of the river god Inahos. When Hera, Zeus’s wife, finds out about his affair, she tries to barge in on one of their private get-togethers. Zeus attempts to fool Hera by turning into a cloud and Io into a cow so that they can flee, but Hera is not fooled. She dispatches a particularly annoying fly to bother Io. Io, now transformed into a cow, sets out on the run from the fly, and one of the routes she takes her across the Bosphorus.
The Bosphorus Strait divides Asia from Europe and links the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. The 30-kilometer-long waterway can be located between the line joining the Anatolian and Rumeli lighthouses in the north and the line joining the Ahirkapi and Inciburnu lighthouses in the south. If the Black Sea were a house, the Bosphorus would be the door, and the countries of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine all rely on it.
Istanbul’s history reflects the Bosphorus’ strategic significance. The area now known as Istanbul was first settled by Greeks in the 7th century BC. It later became the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Located on the Asian side of the Strait, the 600-year-old Anatolian Fortress was built by Beyazit I to prevent supplies from reaching Byzantium via the Black Sea. Topkapi Palace, which looks out over the Bosphorus, was constructed some 50 years later. The Ortakoy Mosque, built in 1853 and designed by Nikogos Baylan, is a significant example of Turkish baroque architecture. And these are merely a sampling of the Bosphorus’s many riches.
In addition to Hagia Sophia, other must-sees in Istanbul include the Beylerbeyi Palace, the Rumeli Fortress, the Dolmabahce Palace, the Kucuksu Pavilion, the Ciragan Palace, the Beylerbeyi Mosque, and the Beylerbeyi Palace.
Those Ottoman-era palaces that line the Bosphorus shore are widely regarded as the pinnacle of that era’s design. There are about 360 historic mansions on both sides of the Bosphorus that have made it to the present day.
In a way that is unique to Istanbul, the Bosphorus not only divides Asia and Europe but also brings together the western and eastern halves of the city. East and west truly meet here, and the cultural diversity is on full display along the Bosphorus, where they intersect and blend in different ways. From street performers to dishes, the modern and the ancient coexist peacefully.
Some of the things you might see are a jazz saxophonist, a classical wind ensemble, or even more unusual things like a baglama or santoor.
You can go to an Italian restaurant with a view of the Bosphorus, get a kokorech (tripe) sandwich at a dive bar, or buy stuffed mussels from a street vendor.
A stroll on the Anatolian side, from Uskudar‘s Cengelkoy to Anadolu Kavagi, offers the same variety. historic mansions in Kuzguncuk, quaint eateries in Cengelkoy, and a forested setting in Kavagi.
If you’re starting from the European side, Karakoy is a good jumping-off point for a tour of the lively neighborhoods of Besiktas, Ortakoy, Arnavutkoy, Bebek, and Sariyer, with a stop in the tranquil Emirgan Grove in between. If the hustle and bustle of the city have you feeling frazzled, take a break in the quieter neighborhoods of Istinye and Yenikoy.
The Bosphorus is also home to some of the most beautiful bridges in the world, like the busy Galata Bridge with its restaurants and fishermen and the First, Second, and Third Bosphorus Bridges, which are lit up at night and offer breathtaking views during the day.
The Bosphorus is very photogenic, as befits one of the world’s most special places. The best spots to take that perfect Instagram photo are detailed in this article.
The Bosphorus area is only 30 kilometers long, stretching from Rumeli to the Inciburnu Lighthouse, but its splendor can be seen from all over Istanbul. We’ve compiled a list of the best Instagrammable spots on both the European and Anatolian sides of the Bosphorus for your perusal.
Most of the grand mansions along the Bosphorus were built in the most picturesque areas, against the backdrop of hills and groves, and are famous for their beauty and distinctive architecture. There are currently around 360 mansions along the Bosphorus, with about 150 of them still in their original condition.
Discover the Best of Both Continents: Europe and Asia
Explore Istanbul from a Unique Perspective
Pass by Old Palaces, Forts, and the Area under the Bosphorus Bridge.
During this Boat Trip, You Can Take Amazing Pictures!
Galata Tower
Dolmabahce Palace
Ciragan Palace
Ortaköy Mosque
Bosphorus Bridge
Beylerbeyi Palace
Üsküdar
Maiden Tower
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Mansions (Yalis)
And more
The Bosphorus, at a length of 32 kilometers, divides Europe and Asia and links the Marmara and Black Seas. Istanbul’s tourist attractions, including its magnificent palaces, ancient castles, and other historical sites, as well as fine seaside residences and the Bosphorus bridge, can be seen from a cruise along the Bosphorus, which separates Asia and Europe. More than that, you will get a glimpse of the stunning examples of original civic architecture along the coasts of Europe and Asia.
Private Bosphorus Cruise Tours Updated on January 26, 2023 @ 11:45 am