and Istanbul has more than 15 million inhabitants and is by far the largest city among European travel destinations. Ortaköy Tour is definitely part of Istanbul City Tour. Here are some of the best insider tips and insights for a city trip to Ortakoy in Besiktas in the European part of Istanbul.
Ortakoy Square is a famous and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Istanbul, located in Ortakoy near Besiktas district on the beautiful Bosphorus. Here you can see one of the most famous photo motifs in Istanbul: the small Ortaköy Mosque in front of the huge Bosphorus Bridge.
Ortaköy (literally Middle Village on türkisch) is one of the oldest districts of Istanbul and has a mixed structure of different cultures. Take a look at this coastal district where Turkish, Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities live together and have left traces of their own culture.
Today, Ortakoy, with its cafes, restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs and bars along the coast and a unique market, attracts the attention of domestic and foreign visitors and tourists, and especially in the evening hours, fascinates those who admire the landscape with the colorful lights of the Bosphorus regard. The perfect location makes it a very popular and lively place full of young people and all fans of Istanbul. Also in this area is the European pylon of the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the bridges connecting the European and Asian coasts of Istanbul.
Ortakoy and Istanbul bridge from the ferry on the Bosphorus
What to expect in Ortakoy, Istanbul
When Ortakoy is mentioned, many symbols that represent the district come to mind. Walking around Ortakoy Square, watching the crowds, relaxing and having tea or coffee in various cafes and restaurants near the Bosphorus is one of the best Activities in Ortakoy.
Sightseeing in Ortakoy, Istanbul
The square has many cafes, bars, restaurants, and of course shops points of interest & sights. The Damat Ibrahim Pasha Fountain and the historic 18th-century residence of Esma Sultan are worth seeing.
Ortakoy Mosque (Buyuk Mecidiye)
Ortakoy Mosque, a historic building in Istanbul with a unique view of the Bosphorus, has become the landmark of the seafront district. The mosque, able to take in all the lights of the Bosphorus thanks to its tall windows, also represents modernity with its architecture. The mosque symbolizes the historical and cultural richness of Istanbul with its surrounding areas Churches and synagogues. Built by Sultan Abdülmecit in the 19th century, it gives the impression of standing on water. It is also one of the most important symbols of Istanbul.
Küçük Mecidiye Camii (Small Mecidiye Mosque)
Insider tip: If you go to Küçük Mecidiye Camii near Yildiz Park, you will have a great view of the Bosphorus.
Churches and synagogues in Ortakoy
The most famous churches and synagogues in Ortaköy are the Byzantine Greek Catholic Church Ayios Fokas from 1856, the Armenian Catholic Church Surp Krikor Lusavoric (located on Dereboyu Street and built in 1839) and Etz Ahayim (Tree of Life) from the 14th century XNUMXth Century.
Esma Sultan Mansion
The History The mansion, named after Esma Sultan, daughter of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz, dates back to the 17th century. The building, which was a Greek school after leaving Ottoman ownership, was used after the fire first as a warehouse and then as a carpentry shop. When the villa for sale caught fire again, it looked like a ruin with only high outer walls. Today, the restored mansion is a venue often used for events such as weddings, organizations, and concerts.
Historic Ortakoy Hammam
It was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in the 1770s at the request of Hüsrev Kethüda, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha's landlady turkish bath built. After the restoration of the Turkish bath, it now serves as an authentic restaurant.
Çırağan Palace
In 1871, Sultan Abdülaziz built the Çırağan Palace in Ortaköy, where he Time lived. The Ciragan Palace was also used as the Ottoman Parliament building until it was severely damaged by fire in 1910. The palace was repaired and restored in the 1980s and is now known as Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Hotel known, one of the most luxurious Hotels in Istanbul.
Ortakoy Market
Handicrafts can be bought at a market in the streets of Ortakoy. Here you can find many accessories, souvenirs and jewelry from many talented people.
Eating out in Ortakoy
Ortakoy offers a wide range of food and wine, from luxury restaurants to very famous high-quality restaurants and cafes frequented by both tourists and locals. In Ortaköy you can find all kinds of food and drink, Turkish and international cuisine to suit your taste.
rtakoy is also famous for its tea gardens, cafes and bakeries on the coast overlooking the Bosphorus. Many locals prefer to buy baked potatoes (kumpir) in numerous cafes and eat them with a beautiful view of the Bosphorus.
Historic Ortakoy Kumpircisi
Create your own Kumpir. Kumpir is a stuffed baked baked potato served all over the city. But here in Ortaköy there are the best and biggest buddies. There are many Kumpir stalls near the famous Ortaköy Mosque, so you can choose which one has the tastiest and freshest ingredients for you. There are no hard and fast rules as to what ingredients and sauces can and can't be added - just pile them up! At the end of the construction phase, there is usually enough food for two people.
Nightlife in Ortakoy
Besides nice Bosphorus view cafes like Ortaköy Kahvesi, pubs and restaurants near the ferry port, Ortaköy also offers some of the best nightclubs on Istanbul's seafront, Sortie and Anjelique.
Ortakoy In summary
- One of the best activities in your Vacation in Ortaköy is to sit on benches by the sea after visiting Ortaköy Mosque and enjoy a unique view of the Bosphorus.
- Spending time observing the Bosphorus by choosing one of the seaside cafes and restaurants is one of the fun activities.
- You can visit charming souvenir and jewelry shops, especially in the back streets of Ortakoy, and immerse the crowds in the streets full of stalls.
- At the Kumpir shops, which have become the landmark of Ortaköy, you can have your baked potato cooked to your liking and eat your kumpir while strolling around Ortaköy Square.
- You can take a Bosphorus cruise with the ships, cruising the coast from Ortaköy.
Where to stay in Ortakoy?
Ortakoy offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget apartments and aparthotels to residences and two and five starHotels.
Check out the selection Hotels in Ortakoy.
Booking.comHow to get to Ortakoy?
The Ortaköy is located in the heart of the Ortaköy district in the Besiktas district.
The most convenient way to get to Ortaköy is by Bagcilar-Kabatas tram (line T1) and public bus to Ortaköy.
- Take the tram from Blue, Eminonu, Galata or Karakoy. The nearest tram stop is Kabatas.
- From Partition take the funicular to Kabatas.
- Public bus routes 22, 22RE and 25E from Kabatas.
- From Besiktas you can walk to Ortaköy in 20 minutes.
- Public Ferries Bosphorus Lines. Lines and timetables of the public ferry lines on the Sehirhatlari website.
The use of IstanbulCard is a prerequisite for all public transport.
Address : Ortaköy, Beşiktaş/Istanbul, Turkey
