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Istanbul, Türkiye
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This article only describes the Asian bank of the Bosphorus, and nearby sections of its Black Sea coast. For the European bank of the Bosphorus (and the nearby sections of the Black Sea coast) see Istanbul/European Bosphorus.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Kız Kulesi
One of the icons of the city is also called the Leander's Tower, on a Bosphorus islet off Salacak. The local myth ascribes its name to a princess, whose father wanted to protect her in this offshore tower from a prophecy that she would be killed by a snakebite on her birthday, but the snake found its way inside a basket of fruits — ironically a birthday present from her father — and you've probably already guessed the rest of the story. In actual timeline, it served as a defensive structure (there was a wall connecting it to the Asian mainland, and the Byzantines used to stretch a chain from here to the European mainland across the mouth of the Bosphorus to shut it to adversary shipping in times of conflict, but they didn't during the final Ottoman siege in 1453), as a customs and quarantine station, as a lighthouse, as a warehouse of various sorts of goods, and as a high-end restaurant before the last restoration finished in 2023 dedicated it as a museum. There is a light show viewable from the mainland every day at 21:00.
Also Florence Nightingale Museum.
This attractive neighbourhood was home to a large Christian and Jewish population until some decades ago and still has a number of sights like two synagogues, some churches among which the Armenian Surp Krikor Lusavoriç, dozens of wooden houses and a Jewish and Christian cemetery.
is a small port with a popular fishing dock. There are many restaurants: those on the port-side serve alcohol and are moderately expensive, those down the side-streets are cheaper. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Hamid-i Evvel mosque, and the 19th-century highway tunnel (which is closed as of Dec 2018). But the standout attraction is the palace.
Beylerbeyi Sarayı
Bling palace-cum-summer house in mid-19th-century Ottoman style. Notable for its reception hall, bathing pavilion, and second floor restroom with spectacular Bosphorus view. Visit by guided tour only, these start every half-hour.
About 15 minutes walking north of Beylerbeyi lies the historical fishing village Çengelköy. Its long history is attested by an 800-year-old sycamore tree on one of the two main terraced squares, and the Byzantine Aya Yorgi church. The restaurants and piers of Çengelköy offer some of the best panoramas along the Bosphorus, including a view on the old city under the first bridge. The neighborhood was popular amongst TV directors during the 1970s and it has become a (possibly the most) popular location to have lunch or dinner on the eastern side of Istanbul. Many historic mansions have been restored and multiple boutique chocolatiers were opened. Most restaurants in Çengelköy don't offer alcoholic beverages. Exceptions include the restaurant at the main pier (Iskele), and Tapasuma, the restaurant of hotel 'Sumahan on the Water', located in a former Ottoman Raki distillery. You can get there by taking bus 15 or 15F from Üsküdar, it is just a few stops further than Beylerbeyi. Going to Çengelköy by car is not advised; traffic can be very intense on the narrow road along this side of the Bosphorus.
One of the oldest functioning academies.
Çamlıca Tepesi
One of the highest hills of Istanbul, at 288 m asl. Since it dominates a great part of the city, it is the site of Çamlıca Tower, a 2021-built telecommunications tower and the highest structure of Istanbul, with observation decks (daily 10:00-22:00, 450 TL, discount for domestic visitors). The rest of the summit is a public park dotted by cafes with an Ottoman-themed decor. The park is sponsored by the government, so expect lower prices on food and drink than usual. The cafe in a building at the very top of the hill is moderately expensive, but you'll get excellent food and service.
Anadolu Hisarı
A medieval citadel on the Bosphorus at the mouth of the Göksu creek. It was built in the late 14th century to control (polite word for "choke off") shipping along the Bosphorus, which narrows to 660 m at this point. It worked in tandem with Rumeli Citadel, built some 50 years later on the European bank. It fell into disrepair but was restored in the 1990s. You can't go in, but it's a pleasant setting; the entire village is named Anadolu Hisarı after the fort and has many traditional wooden houses (yalı). Ferries along the Bosphorus call here.
Küçüksu Kasrı
If you are already in the area, it's worth considering to visit this waterside neo-Baroque manor, built in the 19th century for the countryside and hunting excursions of the Ottoman dynasty. The area, where the Göksu River flows into the Bosphorus, was known as "the Sweet Waters of Asia" by the pioneer European travellers of the epoch (as opposed to "the Sweet Waters of Europe", another contemporary elite recreational area on the other side of the city, where the Kağıthane and Alibeyköy Rivers empty into the Golden Horn).
Kavak
A village with an impressive citadel overlooking the Bosphorus and its mouth into the Black Sea. By land it's accessible only by a hairpinning road through the forest, with few buses. It's best reached by ferry from Eminönü (twice daily) or Sariyer (frequent). In the village, a road is signposted up to the hilltop Yoros citadel (a little more than 1 km, 20 min on foot, free admission). There's a pleasant area with cafés by the ferry pier; the place gets crowded at weekends during summer. Nasty big dogs stalk the citadel area at night. See Istanbul#The_classic_Bosphorus_cruise.
It's as close as the casual visitor to Istanbul gets to the Black Sea. Not much of a vista but it allows you to appreciate the strategic significance of the Bosphorus.
The "Polish village" was founded in 1842 by Polish settlers in the wake of the failed uprising against Russian Imperial rule, and reinforced by more settlers after every subsequent civil upheaval until Poland's independence in 1918. Most then returned, but several stayed on, adopting Turkish citizenship but maintaining their Polish language and culture. The village has houses in traditional Polish style, a 1914 little Catholic chapel, and the Church of Matka Boska Częstochowska. It's set in woodland (a nature park) and is a popular day-trip from the city. There's four restaurants and half a dozen small hotels, plus more of each in nearby Beykoz.
Complex with a shopping centre, a skydeck and an aquarium.
Turkish bath cheaper than the more touristy ones in the European side.
Üsküdar Musıkî Cemiyeti
Founded in 1918, the society is often considered the most respected of the social clubs offering classes in the classical Ottoman music, and catching up with their frequent public concerts is certainly a good way of entering the vast world of this genre.
A park right next to the Bosphorus Bridge. Comes with an unforgettable zipline experience.
Also Sultan Abdülaziz Hunting Lodge and Hababam Museum.
Believed to be the tomb of the biblical Joshua, it's the steepest hill in Istanbul which is closest to the sea.
There's a string of small coastal resorts, from Poyrazköy just beyond the north Bosphorus bridge, through Anadolufenerli, Riva. Usual beach attractions, but the Black Sea is often rough so beware of the waves. There is also a big golf field, 'Mustafa V. Koç Course'.
Kanaat Lokantası, which dates back to 1933, is famous for its traditional Ottoman cuisine as well as a variety of fascinating desserts. The prices are reasonable but they accept nothing but cash.
Serves traditional Turkish food. You could try kelle paca soup or doner here.
A large restaurant with traditional Turkish kebap and "mezes" (appetizers).
Boutique waterfront hotel. Rooms include air-con, TV, safe, Wi-Fi.
By rail
Istanbul's terminus for high-speed trains from Ankara and other eastern cities is Söğütlüçeşme, which is only two stops from the Üsükdar Station. The station is also a terminus for M5.
By bus
Harem is the main bus station, with buses arriving from all over Asian Turkey. It’s mid-way between Üsküdar and Kadıköy and has frequent ferry links with Eminönü/Sirkeci.
By boat
This is the most pleasant method to go across the Bosphorus, and always quicker than trying to cross the congested bridges. The main ferry lines are:
By car
O-1 connects to Bosphorus Bridge, O-4 or E-80 TEM connects to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and lastly 0-7 connects to Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.
By bicycle
There are some marked bicycle lanes along the causeway. The bike lane is well-maintained but watch out for pedestrians which will be plenty during nice weathers.
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