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Dolmabahce Palace
Pass by Dolmabahçe Palace, an Ottoman palace located on a 250,000 m² area in Istanbul, Beşiktaş, between Dolmabahçe Street and the Bosphorus. It stands on the left bank at the entrance to the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara, opposite Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk.
Dolmabahçe, once a cove for ships in ancient times, became the sultans' favored residence, carrying centuries of history and the clear splendor of the Bosphorus waters.
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Beşiktaş
Sail past Beşiktaş, a lively and historic district on Istanbul's European side along the Bosphorus. It's known for its vibrant social life, cafes, seaside views, and important landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace and Beşiktaş Square.
The area is also home to Beşiktaş JK, one of Turkey’s most famous football clubs, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
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Palais Çırağan
View the Çırağan Palace, commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz and designed by architect Sarkis Balyan. It was built on the site of a former wooden summer palace from 1800. During its construction, the wooden structure and the nearby Beşiktaş Mevlevihane were demolished. Construction was completed in 1871.
The marble palace covers 80,000 square meters. After his deposition, Abdülaziz was imprisoned here with his family for years. Murat V was also imprisoned here for 29 years with his family after his deposition. Following the declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy in 1908, the palace served as the Parliament House but was damaged by fire in 1910. The grounds were transferred to the Beşiktaş Sports Club and used as the Şeref Stadium. In the early 1990s, the palace was restored and reopened as a luxury hotel.
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Ortakoy
Pass by Ortaköy, a neighborhood and district within Beşiktaş on the European side of the Bosphorus. The district, comprising Ortaköy and Mecidiye, is situated on the slopes leading down to the coast.
The Ortaköy Bazaar is bustling at all hours with its "intellectual market," souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. However, the market is less vibrant in the early morning hours, with activity picking up after 10:00 AM.
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Buyuk Mecidiye Camii
Admire the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, also known as Ortaköy Mosque, a beautiful 19th-century mosque on the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Built in 1856 during the Ottoman period, it is renowned for its elegant architecture, large windows, and stunning waterfront location.
The mosque is one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks and a popular spot for photographs, especially with the Bosphorus Bridge in the background.
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Bosphorus Bridge
Sail under the Bosphorus Bridge, one of two suspension bridges spanning the Bosphorus, with its supports located in Ortaköy on the European side and Beylerbeyi on the Anatolian side. This was the first bridge built on the Bosphorus, connecting the two sides of the city.
The idea of building a bridge over the Bosphorus is ancient. After numerous attempts, construction began in 1970, and the bridge opened on October 29, 1973, marking the Republic's 50th anniversary. This suspension bridge is a vital link in Turkey's transportation network and a significant crossing point for the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon.
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Kuruçeşme
Cruise past Kuruçeşme, a stylish neighborhood in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district, situated along the European shore of the Bosphorus.
It is recognized for its seaside promenade, luxury residences, restaurants, and lively nightlife. With its beautiful Bosphorus views and elegant ambiance, Kuruçeşme is a favored area for both locals and visitors.
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Bebek
Observe Bebek, a historic Istanbul neighborhood on the European shores of the Bosphorus, bordered by Arnavutköy, Etiler, and Rumeli Hisarı.
A popular residential district since Ottoman times, Bebek's population historically reflected the diverse society of the era. Today, it features historical buildings like Boğaziçi University and waterside mansions, offering beautiful Bosphorus views and upscale restaurants.
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Arnavutköy
Glide by Arnavutköy, a charming neighborhood on Istanbul's European side along the Bosphorus.
It is famous for its colorful historic wooden houses, narrow streets, and seaside cafes. With its relaxed atmosphere and scenic waterfront, Arnavutköy is a popular spot for strolls, photography, and enjoying traditional fish restaurants.
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Rumeli Fortress
See Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı), located in Sarıyer, constructed directly across from Anadolu Hisarı. Construction began in 1453 under Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus and was completed in just three months.
Before the conquest of Istanbul, it served to defend against naval attacks. After the conquest, it functioned as an inspection point for maritime traffic on the Bosphorus. In 1953, wooden houses within the fortress were removed during restoration. Since then, the fortress has hosted numerous concerts and now serves as an open-air theater and museum.
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Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Pass under the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü), Istanbul's second bridge over the Bosphorus, built between Kavacık and Hisarüstü. Construction started in 1986 and the bridge opened on July 3, 1988.
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is the 14th largest steel suspension bridge globally. Along with the Bosphorus Bridge and city ferries, it handles a significant portion of Istanbul's trans-Bosphorus traffic and is a notable feature of the Istanbul skyline.
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Kucuksu Pavilion
View the Küçüksu Pavilion, a historic Ottoman-era building on the Asian side of Istanbul, along the Bosphorus in Üsküdar. Originally built in the 19th century, it is admired for its grand waterfront architecture and distinctive towers.
The school played a significant role in Turkey’s military education history and remains one of the most iconic landmarks on the Bosphorus.
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Anadolu Hisari Fort
Observe Anadolu Hisarı (Anatolian Fortress), located in Beykoz on the Asian Side at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. It was built in 1395 by Beyazıt I and consists of a citadel and exterior castle walls.
After the conquest of Istanbul, it lost strategic importance and was converted into a military hospital. Today, waterfront houses and old mansions are scattered among the castle's ruins. During restoration work from 1991-1993, it was converted into a museum, though it is not open to the public. Anadolu Hisarı is an open-air museum where only the outer walls are visible.
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Kuleli Military High School
See the Kuleli Military High School, a historic Ottoman-era building on Istanbul's Asian side, along the Bosphorus in Üsküdar. Built in the 19th century, it is known for its grand waterfront architecture and distinctive towers.
The school played an important role in Turkey’s military education history and remains one of the most iconic landmarks on the Bosphorus.
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Beylerbeyi Palace
Admire the Beylerbeyi Palace, an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860s on the shores of the Bosphorus, located directly beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by Sarkis Balyan, it blends Renaissance, Baroque, and Eastern/Western styles.
The main building is a two-story stone structure on a high basement, covering approximately 2,500 square meters. The South side housed the Imperial Mabeyn, and the North side the Valide Sultan's Apartment. It features 6 halls, 24 rooms, 1 hamam, and 1 bathroom across two floors. Don't miss its lily pond and large garden.
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Üsküdar
Sail past Üsküdar, one of Istanbul’s oldest and most historic districts on the Asian side along the Bosphorus.
It is known for its beautiful mosques, seaside squares, and landmarks like Maiden's Tower. With its traditional atmosphere, scenic waterfront, and stunning views of the European side, Üsküdar is a favored area for locals and visitors.
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Maiden's Tower
View the Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi), a distinctive feature of the Bosphorus skyline, built on a small island about 200 meters from the Üsküdar shore. The tower is central to many legends.
The most popular legend tells of a sultan whose daughter was prophesied to die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. The sultan built the tower to protect her, but on her birthday, a snake hidden in a fruit basket bit her, leading to her death as foretold.
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Galata Koprusu
Pass over the Galata Bridge (Galata Köprüsü), one of Istanbul's most dynamic spots, with a history dating back to 1845. The bridge, spanning the Golden Horn, has undergone several transformations.
The current bridge was built after a fire in 1992 damaged the beloved old bridge, which was then moved to Haliç. The Galata Bridge is a vital symbol of Istanbul, integral to daily life, literature, and popular culture. Its restaurants, cafes, and hookah lounges below, along with the tram and pedestrian traffic above, offer splendid city views, especially at night.
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Galata Tower
See the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in 1348. This nine-story tower, 66.90 meters high, was the city's tallest building upon completion.
Throughout its history, the tower served various purposes, including as a fire observatory and a jail. A notable event was in 1632 when Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi flew across the Bosphorus to Üsküdar using self-made wings. After its conical roof was destroyed in 1875, it was restored in the 1960s with a concrete structure. Now open to the public, its upper floor features a restaurant and cafe, offering panoramic views of Istanbul.
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Galataport
Cruise past Galataport, a modern port and social hub in Istanbul's Karaköy district, blending historical charm with contemporary architecture.
The area boasts restaurants, cafes, shops, and cultural venues, making it a vibrant destination. Its innovative underground terminal efficiently manages cruise ship traffic, showcasing Istanbul's fusion of culture and modernity.
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