The first bridge to link Europe and Asia is also one of the finest places for sightseeing in Istanbul, letting you look out over the city’s mosques, palaces and neighbouring islands.
Look out over Istanbul as you move between continents on the Bosphorus Bridge. Spanning the Bosphorus Strait at a point just north of the Istanbul city centre, the suspension bridge connects the neighbourhood of Ortaköy on the European side of the city and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. Cross over the bridge during the day, then come back at night to see the bridge brightly illuminated.
The best way to see the Bosphorus Bridge is from the top deck of a sightseeing tour bus. This will allow you to look around and take pictures as you ride out over the picturesque city of Istanbul. Point out the main mosques of the city, and look south into the Sea of Marmara to see if you can spot the Prince’s Islands hulking in the distance.
Ferries and sightseeing cruises offer great views of the bridge as well. Take a passenger ferry between city docks like those at Üsküdar and Kadiköy. Some ferries even pass under the bridge as they proceed up the Bosphorus Strait. In addition to taking you by the Bosphorus Bridge, sightseeing cruises will carry you between a variety of city and regional sights.
Enjoy the neighbourhoods situated at each of the bridge’s ends. Explore Beylerbeyi on the eastern side of the strait to find the lavish Beylerbeyi Palace. On the other side of the strait, Ortaköy features busy cobbled streets where you will find bars, restaurants and the 1853 Ortaköy Mosque.
If you are visiting the city in October, sign up for the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasian Marathon to experience the Bosphorus Bridge on foot. Each year, thousands of locals and visitors jog from Asia to Europe during the marathon’s “fun run”. Dates and details are available on the marathon’s website.
Make the 1-hour walk or the 30-minute bus ride from central Istanbul to reach the Bosphorus Bridge. It is one of the best viewpoints in the city.
