Hotels near Ortakoy and the Bosphorus Waterfront

Ortakoy is a compact waterfront neighbourhood on the European shore of the Bosphorus, directly beneath the First Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge). The centrepiece is the Ortakoy Mosque (Buyuk Mecidiye Camii), a small but ornate baroque mosque built in 1856 that sits right at the water's edge. The image of its pale facade framed against the massive suspension bridge behind has become one of Istanbul's most iconic photographs.

The Ortakoy square hosts a weekend art and craft market, and the waterfront is lined with cafes, waffle stands, and kumpir (baked potato) vendors that have become a local institution. The neighbourhood has a more relaxed, bohemian atmosphere than the historic peninsula. The Bosphorus promenade stretching south from Ortakoy toward Besiktas passes through some of Istanbul's most affluent waterfront real estate and offers continuous views across to the Asian shore.

Pro Tip: Come on a Sunday morning for the art market and the best kumpir experience - the line at Ortakoy Kumpircisi is worth the wait. The area is especially atmospheric at sunset when the bridge lights up and the Asian shore glows. Combine with a visit to Dolmabahce Palace (1.5 km south along the waterfront) or take the bus north to Bebek, one of Istanbul's prettiest Bosphorus villages.