Istanbul:Things To Do: Bosphorus Cruise And Ortakoy

Slow and graceful, one of the best ways to feel Istanbul is by taking a cruise along the Bosphorus. 

We asked the locals for direction to Bosphorus Cruise at Taksim Square and they told us to take a local bus to Ortakoy. The driver even didn’t take tickets from us even though it was just TL1 or 2. 

Bosphorus Cruise / Ortakoy

Ortakoy is a neighborhood, formerly a small village, within the district of Istanbul, Turkey, located in the middle of the European bank of the Bosphorus. If it's a Sunday, expect an impromptu street market of artists. Bosphorus Bridge (1973) in Istanbul, connects Europe and Asia. The bridge extends between Ortakoy (in Europe) and Beylerbeyi(in Asia).

There are many beautifully lit bridges that the cruise crosses under.

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For more information visit Turkey Tourism Official Website

 As soon as you arrive Ortakoy,the streets are lined with Kumpir sellers who sell this delicious stuffed Baked potato dish called Kumpir. We didn’t find it anywhere else and we really liked it.There are some souvenirs shops there, but compared to the rest of places, its expensive.There are some sophisticated bistros and cafes but we didn’t go inside them.

Kumpir , a must have at Ortakoy

Doesn't the arrangement of Bananas makes one think like  a Human Hand holding onto a can!

It’s good to take a stroll down the street though. As you go towards the Bosphorus shore you would see the Ortakoy Mosque on the pier of Ortakoy and the Bosphorus Bridge..The boat and cruise is for 90 minutes.I remember the ticket was for TL11 and we had just walked in the ferry that was about to go.

Ortakoy Mosque

We took an evening cruise and saw the illuminated suspension bridges and Dolmabahce Palace.The views at night are magnificent making the ferry worth it. It was full moon night that night, I wouldn’t have had liked it so much during the day. But just for an experience you could try both. As we hopped out, we saw people flying sky lanterns from the Bhosporous shore at Ortakoy.

That full moon which accidentally landed in between my palms :P

 You can also take Bosphorus cruise from Eminonu(below Topkapi) near Spice Market ,we however did not know then, and Ortakoy was a different experience.We loved it! Scheduled Istanbul municipality ferries depart Eminonu around 10.30 and 12.00. The tickets are very minimal(TL5-8).

              Me and Namita on Bosphorus Cruise.Thanks to Namita for many of the pictures above.

 The Bhosporous cruise takes you to stops one of which is Anadolu Kavagi. Anadolu Kavagi is a small fishing village with lots of fish restaurants. Anadolu Kavağı is where the Bosphorus excursions ferry finishes its journey.

For more details on Bosphorus Cruise you could visit site