Stand with me for five minutes on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge amidst the fishermen with their long rods and look toward the Asian Shore. It takes a while before a visitor here comes to terms with all the water. Flowing beneath us are the waters of the Golden Horn; in front and left the Bosphorus Straits lead toward the vast inland Black Sea, while to the right the Sea of Marmara home to the Princes’ Islands continues on through the Dardanelles to the Agean Sea. Controlled by traffic lights the ferries that criss-cross the golden horn squeeze beneath us, it seems with only inches to spare.
Photo taken from the Eminonu Ferry Dock.
Istanbul might be a tantalising mix of exotic architecture and spices, but it is enhanced by a liberal serving of ferry horns, commuters and gulls.
This transport map was sourced from Turkey Travel Planner a must visit site for visitors to Turkey.
We caught the ferry from Karakoy in Galata/Beyoglu to Kadikoy on the Asian side- red line on the map above. One also departs from the other side of the bridge at Eminonu (yellow).
When the city is hot and sticky ferries provide shade and a cool breeze, and the one to cosmopolitan Kadikoy, I think has the best views of Istanbul’s iconic sights. We had visited the Tokapi Palace, Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque some four weeks previously, but it wasn’t until I saw all three of them from the Kadikoy ferry that they clicked into place.
Photos are shown in order from Karakoy to Kadikoy.
Yolcu Salonu Istanbul’s Passenger Liner Terminal is on the left as we depart Karakoy – pronounced Yohl-Joo Sah-Loh-Noo. Visitors who arrive in Istanbul by Cruise Liner are very lucky indeed. They disembark into the vibrant Galata/Beyoglu district, from where the city is easy to explore.
Topkapi Palace on the right of the ferry.
Sprawled above the Bosporus Strait, the view from the ferry shows just how huge this Palace, once home of the Ottoman Sultans, is. If you have ever wanted to visit a Harem, Topkapi is the palace for you. The views over the Bosphorus Straits and the Sea of Marmara from the panoramic terrace of the Palace are huge.
In the photo below you can see the people on that terrace – in the two large arches either side of the front top corner. Closed Tuesday.
Below the Palace are the Sea Walls first built in 195.
Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque
Aya Sofia is in the foreground with the four minarets, it’s pink exterior covered by foliage, and the Blue Mosque with it’s distinctive six minarets sits behind.
Aya Sofia. Once a Greek Orthodox Basilica, then an Imperial Mosque, Aya Sofia is now a museum of the people. The current version of Aya Sofia was built in only five years 532-537 by Emperor Justinian. He wisely employed two unknown builders who knew mathematics, statics and kinetics, who were able to construct this church of a size, not before seen. It is easy to feel humble in such a building. Closed Monday.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque. If you peek out of the windows of the Aya Sofia you can see this mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616 it’s common name The Blue Mosque comes from the tiles on the interior walls. The six minarets were considered a gesture of one-up-manship at the time because the revered Ka’aba mosque in Mecca had six. To avert trouble another minaret was added to the one in Mecca. Hiring a guide will bypass the huge lineups to enter the mosque. Open daily between prayer times.
Maiden’s Tower or Kiz Kulesi
The Byzantines used the tower to chain off the Bosphorus, and thus extract a tax on ships entering and leaving the Black Sea.
This is only one of the intriguing facts and fables associated with Kiz Kulesi. Closer to Uskudur than Kadikoy it is still able to be seen from the left hand side of the Kadikoy Ferry. A visit to the tower gives 360 degree views from the restaurant at the top. A great place for sunset and night light photography, but go before 8 pm as it is dinner reservations only after that. Catch the Uskudur ferry and then a private boat service (15tl) from the Salacak area of Uskudur. The tower featured in the James Bond film The World is Not Enough.
Haydarpasa Train Station, Kadikoy
Built between 1906 and 1908 as a gift from Germany, this beautiful neoclassical building no longer operates passenger services and ferries no longer stop there. It is an easy 10 minute walk to the station from the Kadikoy ferry terminal. The history of the building can be read within and seats and drinks are available beside the Bosphorus. When the high speed train line between Istanbul and Ankara is completed (hopefully soon) it will leave from Söğütlüçeşme 1km east.
The Kadikoy Ferry does not stop at any of these attractions, but it does afford a different view of them – from a stretch of water that symbolically both separates and joins Asia and Europe. Istanbulkart can be used to enter the ferry.
This post is linked to Budget Travelers Sandbox for Travel Photo Thursday.
Dondurma or a Magical Turkish Icecream
Hi Jan, what was your impression of the people in Istanbul? I’ve heard two opposite stories so I’m curious as to your take. Good post! 🙂
The people of Turkey are wonderful Mike. Istanbul is like any big city, things are more hectic there than in the country areas, but the people are welcoming. The Turkish are very helpful people. They will go out of their way to help.
Turkish people are very helpful and friendly. Time and Time again they came to our rescue directing us how to get places. If you ask for help they will do their best. If they can’t help they find someone who can. I guess Istanbul is like any big city, but probably friendlier than most.
Very beautiful views…
Thanks for commenting Lily.
It must be a very enjoyable journey especially getting to experience the landmarks and breathtaking views.
I wish I was on the Kadikoy Ferry now Rachel, or any of the ferries in Istanbul. 🙂
Gorgeous shots, Jan. I always like taking shots from a boat. You don’t have to worry about anything in your way.
I know Nancie, It was so hard to get an unimpeded photo from the land. Gotta love boats. 🙂
Jan, those are some great shots from the ferry! I love the different perspective it provides.
I loved that ferry and when I did it several decades ago it cost all of .10/ride. Wonderful photos – but then I sound like a broken record.
I am not averse to that broken record 🙂 I think the ferry cost about 3tl. I would loved to have seen Turkey decades ago. How lucky you were.
beautiful photos. I always enjoy taking ferry rides!
Ferry rides are my favourite way of spending an hour or two Brittany, especially in Istanbul. 🙂
:Lovely tour, I really enjoyed seeing Istanbul via water ferry and cheap to, the area around Asia is so much fun to explore and not so crazy crowded like the other areas of Istanbul.
We liked the Asian side too Noel.
Istanbul looks beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit. Your photos are lovely – great views 🙂
I recommend Turkey to everyone and Istanbul is a very interesting city. I would love to return.
I bet you saved a ton of money taking a ferry instead of buying tickets for a fancy boat tour. The views from the water are indeed stunning. I like that the Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque are so close together in their photo.
That is true Michele. Believe it or not you can miss that they are close together on the land!
What’s a great idea to take the ferry to get a new perspective. I’ll be in Istanbul in September (can’t wait!) so thanks for listing some sites for me to visit! Was there anything interesting to do/see in Kadikoy?
September is a great time to visit Istanbul, congratulations! We walked around the markets, had lunch and caught a circle tram that leaves across the road from the ferry terminal. It goes through kadikoy Altiyol, Bahriye (we got off there and followed the tracks back completing the circle on foot), Moda, Mahvidar and back to the start, the final stretch is through a park and along the waterfront. If you would like to stay longer on the Asian side buses 12 and 12A link to Uskudur (visit the Maidens Tower). Then from Uskudur the No. 15 bus goes to Cengelkoy a lovely waterside district with tea houses right on the water and lots of pastry shops. You can buy pastries and then take them to the pastry shops and just buy a cup of tea or a softdrink at the tea house. This is a very popular past-time on Sunday. You can stroll beside the water and watch all of the fishermen who seem to have better luck than those on Galata Bridge. Adventurous Kate has done a post on Kadikoy http://www.adventurouskate.com/a-day-in-kadikoy-scenes-from-istanbuls-asian-side/ and Waegook Tom http://www.waegook-tom.com/turkey/5-things-to-do-in-kadikoy/. “For 91 Days”blog did a post on Cengelkoy which alerted me to the area http://istanbul.for91days.com/2013/06/15/cengelkoy-and-the-beylerbeyi-palace/. We really enjoyed Cengelkoy. Have Fun. Jan
Wow, thanks so much for the detailed information!!! I’ll check out the other links!
Ask me anything you like about Turkey Anna and I will tell you what I know. I have read a lot of blogs about Turkey and been a fair few places. You can enter Turkey into my Search this Site and see what I have blogged about already.
Fabulous photos, Jan. I need to get to Turkey soon!
Glad you mention James Bond. Whenever I think of Istanbul, I always think of From Russia with Love and hear Sean Connery’s Scottish accent when he says Istanbul.
I love James Bond Movies. About time they brought out another one 🙂
Enjoyed my 5 minutes with you on the Galata Bridge. Would love to spend much more time in that beautiful spot.
We walked across the Galata Bridge several times a day. I cannot think of Istanbul without thinking of the bridge.
Jan, When I was about 12 years old, I read a mystery called “The Golden Horn” and since then have been fascinated with riding all of Istanbul’s ferries. Like you said, you can see so much and enjoy a cool breeze! Love your photos!