Turkey is a fascinating country, and Istanbul is its most famous city. For centuries, this city has been the gateway between the east and the west, and the Bosphorus Strait is both one of the most famous natural features of the city and the official border between Europe and Asia.

Today, 17 million people live in Istanbul, on both sides of the Strait, and it’s still an important part of the city and the country’s identity. Let’s take a closer look at the history and current status of Bosphorus Istanbul and the city that surrounds it.

Istanbul Bosphorus Geographical Importance

The Bosphorus is an important waterway, because it’s part of a network of waterways that connect various seas and oceans in Europe and Asia.

Directly, the Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, and then from there, those bodies of water connect to the Mediterranean and even further, to the Atlantic. So, it’s easy to see why this has always been such an important waterway in the area.

The Bosphorus Strait has been the boundary between Europe and Asia for centuries, and the city of Istanbul is still divided into the Christian European side and the Islamic Asian side.

Bosphorus Istanbul History

The history of the formation of the Bosphorus Strait is debated, but most geologists agree that it has existed for many thousands of years. A lot longer than recorded human history for certain!

The name of the Strait itself is derived from ancient Greek, which makes sense since the area was home to the Byzantine people for hundreds of years.

The Ottomans used the Bosphorus to take control of the Black Sea, and it was seen as such an important military feature that it was declared international territory after the Second World War. It was returned to Turkey in 1923, but with strict conditions that it be available to international trade and military vessels.

The Bosphorus has always been the playground of the rich and famous, and both sides of the Strait are still lined with huge, historic mansions. They’re visible from the water, and well worth viewing if you’re interested in architecture.

What to Do at Bosphorus

As you can imagine, the Bosphorus Strait was a key part of the development of Istanbul, and it is home to many historic sites that are worth visiting, including the famous Topkapi and other palaces. In fact, there were 620 palatial homes built along the Strait during the Ottoman era, and many are open to visitors today.

There are several ferries that take locals and visitors from one side of the Bosphorus to the other, and some that will take you further afield, to islands in the Black Sea. Since the Bosphorus is a famous waterway, it’s definitely worth seeing it from the deck of a ferry!

You can also take a boat to a fascinating museum called the Maiden’s Tower, where you will find beautiful murals and learn many interesting legends about the tower’s history.

The Istanbul city port is also located on the Bosphorus, and it’s a bustling area full of shops, restaurants, and promenades to stroll down, looking out over the Strait on a beautiful sunny Turkish day.

Rumeli Fortress is another attraction on the banks of the Bosphorus. This fortress was built in the 16^th century and is an enormous stone structure with walls that are seven meters thick in some places!

The Istanbul Aquarium is also located alongside the Strait, so when you’ve had enough of food, history, and culture, you can see the residents of the Strait and surrounding waters in close to their natural habitat.

The Grand Bazaar

While you are exploring the Bosphorus, be sure to visit the Grand Bazaar. It’s one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world and is the perfect place to buy gifts and souvenirs.

This market has been around since the mid-1400s, and it has a huge array of local products, ranging from traditional clothing and street food to modern day must haves like phone chargers and sports watches. You will find everything you need – and more – in this market.

Best Restaurants at Bosphorus

Food is a big part of life in Turkey, and if you’re going to sample local cuisine, there’s no better way to do it than with a view of the Bosphorus. There are several fantastic options you could consider when looking for your Bosphorus dining experience, including:

• The Mesopotamian Terrace, which is located on a hill a short distance from the strait, where you can enjoy local delicacies with a panoramic view of the Strait
• En La Luna Terrace, which not only has a view of the Bosphorus Strait, but is also a stone’s throw away from the Hagia Sophia, and features a varied menu of local favorites and European style dishes
• Panoramic Restaurant is exactly what it sounds like – a fantastic restaurant featuring Turkish and European favourites, which has a panoramic view of the Bosphorus
• Grace Rooftop Terrace, which has a selection of steakhouse favourites, seafood, and Mediterranean favourites, combined with views of both the Bosphorus and Hagia Sophia
• Park Fora Fish and Seafood Restaurant is a seafood restaurant that is located right next to the Bosphorus – there really is no better way to enjoy seafood in Istanbul!
• Rakopholi is a Turkish barbecue restaurant that is also located right on the banks of the Bosphorus, with a choice of indoor or terrace dining

These are just a few of the world class restaurants you will find lining the Bosphorus in Istanbul. There are many more, serving everything from brunch to buffets and everything in between, and all it takes is a quick stroll to find something tasty near the water.

If you really want to sample everything that Turkish cuisine has to offer, there is also a “Taste of Two Continents Food Tour” which will introduce you to the European and Islamic delicacies that Istanbul is famous for, as well as several other food tour options where you can sample a variety of different dishes in one day.

Bosphorus Boat Tours and Watersports

There are many ferries on the Bosphorus that are designed to get people from one side of the Strait to the other – but there are also opportunities to spend more time on the water. Some of the best options are:

• Bosphorus sunset yacht cruises
• Bosphorus dinner cruises, which also feature a Turkish show
• A lunch cruise that will take you into the Black Sea
• Yacht charters
• Princess Islands tours
• Boat and bus tours of the Bosphorus and other parts of Istanbul
• Water skiing and jet skiing

Whether you are looking for a budget friendly option, something active and exciting or absolute luxury, there’s a boat tour of the Bosphorus and beyond that will give you a once in a lifetime experience.

Getting Around the Bosphorus

Of course, if you want to get from one side of the Bosphorus Strait to the other, one of the best (and most scenic) ways to do that is on a ferry. But there are also many public buses that run along both sides of the Strait, so you can easily get from one part of the Strait to another.

All of the buses travel along a road that hugs the Strait too, so it’s a great way to see more of the water without having to navigate traffic yourself!

Relax in a Park

When you’ve had enough of boats, buses, museums, and restaurants, and you’re all shopped out from markets and boutiques, plan a trip to Emirgan Park. It’s a quiet park on a hill a few blocks from the water with amazing views of the Strait. There are also ponds and water features, and cafes where you can buy a snack or a coffee to enjoy while you relax in the sun.

Visit a Spa or a Bath

Turkey is well known for it’s hammams, and if you want to experience this, you can visit the Beşiktaş Hammam, which is located close to the water and is both traditional and affordable.

If you prefer to have a more spa like, luxurious experience, there are also spas like the Etiler spa, which is a little more modern but still very affordable.

Something for Everyone

The truth is, there are endless experiences to be had on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, and on the water itself. If you’re planning a visit to Istanbul, make sure you allow plenty of time to explore this part of the city.

There are activities for families, for adrenaline junkies, history buffs, foodies, and everything in between, and this is a very tourist friendly part of the city.

While you could plan your visit to the Strait, you can also walk down the waterfront and see what you find as you go. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and experiences to be had, and many of the city’s most historic and interesting attractions are built along the water too.

So, you’re sure to find new and interesting things to see and do around every corner, and no matter what you choose, you’re sure to have a once in a lifetime experience.