Bosporus - Asiatic Side

By boat through the Bosporus

The best way of seeing the Bosporus in all its beauty is to take a trip from Istanbul on one of the coastal boats which ply along its length, calling in alternately at landing-stages on each side and thus affording a constantly changing panorama. The point of departure is just southeast of the Galata Bridge; the ports of call can be seen on the timetables displayed in the waiting room. Not all boats go as far as Rumeli Kavagi, the last station on the European side (1.75-2 hours). At each station there is a ferry to the other side.

Kuzguncuk, separated from Üsküdar by a low hill. Beylerbey, with the *Beylerbey Sarayi, the most elegant of the Sultans' palaces on the Bosporus, built by Abdul Aziz in 1865; worth a visit.

*First suspension bridge (Istanbul Bogazi Köprüsü) over the Bosporus to Ortaköy (1970-73, clear width 1,074m/1,175yd, height of piers 165m/540ft).

Between Kandilli and Anadolu HIsari is the beautiful Valley of the Sweet Waters of Asia, at the mouth of the Göksu (Heavenly Water).

*Second bridge over the Bosporus (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü; 1,090m/1192yds long, 40m/131ft wide).

Kanlica, on a small promontory. On the shore is the summer palace of Vizier Körprülü (17th century), built on piles.