Ortakoy
Ortakoy
4.5
About
Ortakoy is a charming neighborhood by the Bosphorus river in Istanbul. The area has an array of restaurants, bars, and pubs where you can dine while enjoying the picturesque view. You can also treat yourself to some tasty Kumpir (baked potato with toppings) or waffles. Ortakoy also boasts the 19th-century Grand Mecidiye mosque, Ayios Fokas church, a historic hammam, and the ornate Esma Sultan Mansion. After dusk, the district comes alive with its vibrant nightlife. Be sure to catch the sunset here or hop aboard a dinner or sunset cruise to get a unique view of the area. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighborhood: Besiktas
In Besiktas, skyscrapers compete with palaces for space in an upscale vista replete with hilly green parkland filling in the margins. Step into this rather wealthy neighborhood and discover a rich mix of opportunities to shop, dine, and be entertained. For folks in search of urban buzz, not to mention a constant reminder of just how important Istanbul’s waterways are to its rich history, there's the frenetic Besiktas ferry terminal or the city’s most vibrant fish market to explore. For a timeout of metropolitan proportions, head to the bucolic Yildiz Park or the chic Bosphorus-side fishing village of Ortakoy. Attractions such as the grandiose Dolmabahce Palace and a bevy of other stately residences await admiration. To be sure, this large and not overly touristy swath of Istanbul yields plenty of pleasure for all.
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,258 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,202 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Nermin10 contributionsA must visit when you are in IstanbulThis is a must visit when you are in Istanbul. The mosque is a beauty by itself situated in a perfect location. Once you enjoy the beauty of this mosque, you can stroll around the street for souvenir shopping, enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurants nearby and then definitely try out their Baked Potato before you leave. There is paid parking available close to this location.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 18, 2023
- Matt LLondon, United Kingdom3 contributionsStunning views of the BosphorousSpectacular views of the Bosphorous stretching over to the Asian side of Istanbul, with the stunnungly ornate Ortakoy Mosque in the foreground. This is a fashionable, pretty district of Istanbul where you can relax and tuck into the local speciality: baked potatoes served with a multitude of toppings. You can also take a one-hour cruise of the Bosphorous. Especially buzzing on a summer night but a lovely spot any time of the year.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 28, 2024
- Sumi628London, United Kingdom74 contributionsKumpir & beautiful mosqueThe cutest mosque waterfront mosque We visited this beautiful mosque after seeing it during a boat trip on the Bosporus It's very small but beautiful inside. There are separate prayer rooms for men & women Outside there is also a very clean area/room to perform ablution (wudu) A must when you visit Ortakoy is to eat Kumpir ( giant jacket potatoes) There are lots of stalls lined next to each other all vying for your attention. Each sell the same thing. The potatoes are humongous with unlimited filling depending. It was seriously the BEST jacket potato I have ever eaten Great views and beautiful areaVisited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 4, 2024
- deejay90210New Delhi, India2,158 contributionsLandmark of IstanbulThis small but beautiful mosque is one of the landmarks of Istanbul. Beautiful setting for the rising Sun, located just beside the Osphorus river against the Bridge uniting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. A small market with many shops selling food and souvenirs add to the atmosphere.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 24, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,872 reviews
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SmokingBacon
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Came to see Ortakoy Mosque to lite up during sunset, it actually only lit up around 7.45pm, long after all other building lit up. If your boat leaves any earlier you don't get to see it.
Also the kumpir at Ortakoy pier is way overcharged, 200tl for a potato.
Otherwise nothing much to see around the pier for a short visit. Souvenir are similar as any places.
Only recommending 1 shop with an old lady selling handmade items, I bought a hand painted evil eye tree, its pretty and afforable.
Also the kumpir at Ortakoy pier is way overcharged, 200tl for a potato.
Otherwise nothing much to see around the pier for a short visit. Souvenir are similar as any places.
Only recommending 1 shop with an old lady selling handmade items, I bought a hand painted evil eye tree, its pretty and afforable.
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jak H
1 contribution
May 2022 • Friends
Oasis night club in Ortakay scams will try and Rob you with a large bill even If its only a shisha you are going for most taxi drivers will recommend as they get commission. Don not go or trust them. They will try and lure you with girls that work there who are all actors.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Berna
Türkiye54 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
It's a lively area. We decided to go there to perform the baked potato ritual, but we decided to buy it from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality because it would be more affordable, and we were shocked. We paid 195₺ for Kumpire for one person. Oddly enough, we did not ask for the price and the price was not written anywhere. First, you have to have the baked potatoes made and then you pay a fee. We couldn't even give you the baked potatoes. In short, it was a good pile method. You had to ask the price of everything. Other than that, everywhere was full of Arabs. The situation of my beautiful country is deplorable.
Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gulay G
Palo Alto, CA13 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The view has always been amazing. This used to be the most beautiful neighborhood in Istanbul, but is now horribly crowded, especially on weekends. The prices at restaurants have gone sky high due to the popularity for tourists. The best time to go is on a weekday, early before the crowds, to enjoy breakfast or brunch. Make sure to check for an itemized check.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abovetheclouds
2,454 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
Love this area in Istanbul. Take a bus from Taksim Square which takes around 45 minutes. Traffic can be bad especially in the rush hour and on weekends. The area is all about atmosphere! Filled with local Turkish families relaxing and enjoying the views of the Bosphorus and the bridge. It can get windy. Avoid standing too close to the edge if taking photographs as the tide can sometimes be high and you will get soaked! There is a man selling bird food which you can buy and feed the many birds if you like! There are many restaurants, coffee shops and food stalls. 'Kumpir' is very popular to eat. There are a few shops and a small market selling anything and everything from handicrafts to souvenirs. Some of the items are nice but others can be tacky! Apparently the market is not there everyday but it always seems to be on everytime I come! Having said this, there are more stalls on certain days. The small mosque is worth a visit. Go inside but dress modestly or you can't go in.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatriz M
Düsseldorf, Germany5,673 contributions
May 2022
Ortakoy is a must! The neighborhood is really lovely, there are many local cafes and restaurants, it is not so touristy, especially if you go more inside the streets instead of staying only in the street that is by the sea (where the mosque is). Plus, you should really go inside the mosque instead of only taking pictures of it from outside. The inside is beautiful, our favourite mosque of Istanbul!
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sumi628
London, UK74 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The cutest mosque waterfront mosque
We visited this beautiful mosque after seeing it during a boat trip on the Bosporus
It's very small but beautiful inside.
There are separate prayer rooms for men & women
Outside there is also a very clean area/room to perform ablution (wudu)
A must when you visit Ortakoy is to eat Kumpir ( giant jacket potatoes)
There are lots of stalls lined next to each other all vying for your attention. Each sell the same thing. The potatoes are humongous with unlimited filling depending.
It was seriously the BEST jacket potato I have ever eaten
Great views and beautiful area
We visited this beautiful mosque after seeing it during a boat trip on the Bosporus
It's very small but beautiful inside.
There are separate prayer rooms for men & women
Outside there is also a very clean area/room to perform ablution (wudu)
A must when you visit Ortakoy is to eat Kumpir ( giant jacket potatoes)
There are lots of stalls lined next to each other all vying for your attention. Each sell the same thing. The potatoes are humongous with unlimited filling depending.
It was seriously the BEST jacket potato I have ever eaten
Great views and beautiful area
Written May 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mohamed Sami
Alexandria, Egypt1,985 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Also called the Megidiye mosque as it was built at the time of Sultan Abdul-Mejid in the 19th century in the place of an older ruined small mosque. The architects were a father and a son from an Armenian family called Balyan. The mosque is not very big but it is unique in its architecture reflecting the background of the architects. The mosque of course is located in Ortakoy district very famous of kiosks selling Kumpir, the Turkish stuffed potatoes.
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vievver
Krasnodar, Russia380 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The mosque and the place in general really liked it. It wasn't easy getting there. Two seemingly adjacent objects were mapped out that day. Beylerbeyi Palace was seen in the morning, and a mosque was planned for the afternoon. Ortaköy is perfectly visible from the palace's waterfront, but it was not easy to get there. If you guess the timetable, you can plan a ferry. We did not wait, we went up to the bridge proper under which are both the palace and the mosque. Get on the subway. Whoever dares repeat, stop at the bridge. Drive one stop. We crossed the bridge, the idea is to drive a DT2 bus back to the mosque, but all the people we met had absolutely no idea where it was going or if it even existed. In total for 130 lire taxis home to the place:)
The mosque looks very small, airy, more European than its older sisters. But very cozy and bright. At the entrance are numbered shoe boxes, there's a water cooler in the yard, unexpected and pleasant! Tourists are scarce, employees sympathetic.
Photography is free. Both outside and inside, the mosque is stunningly beautiful and photogenic. The place around here, though, is set up with tents with a camper and waffles, but it's also quite interesting. On the little heel coexists the synagogue mosque and the Christian temple, very symbolic and touching.
Local treat sellers undoubtedly understand something about marketing or just have fun out of boredom, in different languages trying to guess where Traveler, call to themselves:)Probably everyone who came here will give in to the calls of vendors for a taste of camper. An amateur. If I went to the mosque again, I wouldn't eat again.
Getting out of the neighborhood is no problem. Would you like a nice, watery marina nearby? But the ferry is rare. The easiest way is by bus. Nearby, Ciragan Street stops as a landmark TEB bank. You can get to Taksim, in our case we got to the mall. Jevahir.
The mosque, though located in a remote area, certainly deserves a visit. My heartfelt advice.
Enjoy your stay!
The mosque looks very small, airy, more European than its older sisters. But very cozy and bright. At the entrance are numbered shoe boxes, there's a water cooler in the yard, unexpected and pleasant! Tourists are scarce, employees sympathetic.
Photography is free. Both outside and inside, the mosque is stunningly beautiful and photogenic. The place around here, though, is set up with tents with a camper and waffles, but it's also quite interesting. On the little heel coexists the synagogue mosque and the Christian temple, very symbolic and touching.
Local treat sellers undoubtedly understand something about marketing or just have fun out of boredom, in different languages trying to guess where Traveler, call to themselves:)Probably everyone who came here will give in to the calls of vendors for a taste of camper. An amateur. If I went to the mosque again, I wouldn't eat again.
Getting out of the neighborhood is no problem. Would you like a nice, watery marina nearby? But the ferry is rare. The easiest way is by bus. Nearby, Ciragan Street stops as a landmark TEB bank. You can get to Taksim, in our case we got to the mall. Jevahir.
The mosque, though located in a remote area, certainly deserves a visit. My heartfelt advice.
Enjoy your stay!
Automatically translated
Written August 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arzanstudio
Mumbai, India349 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
You’ll be surrounded by a thousand choices in food in this area. Right from the standing stalls that flank the entranceway inside, to the banks of the Bosporous. Beautiful eateries, offering you open air or heated glass cubicles to cozy yourself in. Benches along the banks let you laze around the area longer, getting a good view of the harbour, the pigeons being fed, the mosque, and the blue waters. Nice place to spend your morning, ending with lunch
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. Thank you so much for answering my previous question! I will be travelling to Istanbul in early November. Wondering if there's a restaurant tat offers wonderful lobster, shrimp and/black sea salmon? One tat doesn't serve alcohol is preferred. Sending you love in advance!
Written September 6, 2018
There are plenty of restaurants that serve seafood all over the city but around the area of Tarabia are bunch of the best seafood restaurants, also the area of levent & under the bridge of Glata as well.
Written September 6, 2018
Hi. I am wondering if the street sellers open on regular days? Or do the market and shops just open on weekends? Hope to hear from all the kind souls out there :)
Written September 1, 2018
We were there mid week in June/2018, and all the vendors and restaurants were open for business.
Written September 4, 2018
hello, iam planning to visit istanbul on 30 november going to metropolitan in taksim but in which buses shall i go to:
- ortakoy
- emineno
-osmanbey
-shishli
and what are other places i can visit other than ayup,pincessislands...
Written November 15, 2017
You can navigate in Istanbul and Mobility throughout Turkey with Google map app..its amazing app and very easy...have locations ,navigation , work time ( opening , closing shops and sites )...and have a lot of pictures for all sites you want visit it.
Google map give you rout for buses , walking , and your car.
You can getting internet for your phone from sim card of ( TURKCELL ) company.its the best.
For other places you should be visit it...
Princess island..most beautiful.
Emergan park... amazing
Ortakoy...
Bosphor round.
Sultanahmed shop.
Mini aturk.
Via land...its Amusement Park .
Karaköy port.
Kadıköy port.
Rumelifeneri village castle.
Written November 16, 2017
Hey. I just wanted to know how can i get a stall at the ortakoy sunday market to display my jewellery? Who do i contact? Would really appreciate your reply! Thanks
Written July 9, 2017
Since ORtakoy is connected to Besiktas, it would be a good idea to ask the Besiktas Municipality,
their contact can be found here:
besiktas.bel.tr/Sayfa/13182/iletisim
Written July 26, 2017
How to reach to Ortakoy from Taksim Square and from Sultanahmet????
Written August 13, 2016
you can go to kabatas station via taksim funicular.(F1)
or you can use tramway (T1) in front of sultanahmet to go to kabatas.
in kabatas station there is a bus station that go to ortakoy every 5 min.
Written August 18, 2016
I want to know the way go this place with transportation
Written July 10, 2016
Hola, les hago una consulta. Tengo una escala de 8 hs por Estambul, quisiera recorrer y para el tour gratis de turkish airline no me da la hora. Alguien sabe cual es la manera más facil de ir a Ortakoy desde el Aeropuerto Ataturk??? Solo quiero ver la Mezquita y el puente del Bósforo. No consigo tour por el día, estaba pensando en alquilar un shuttle o taxi para que me lleve y me traiga al aeropuerto pero me sale caro. Cualquier cosa que sepan sería genial, muchas gracias!!!
Written March 3, 2016
Considera que con el trafico en Estambul, consumiras como minimo una hora y media en cada direccion. Creo que la option de un taxi no es tan cara, considerando que alli todo se regatea. Yo iria a Eminou que es el centro neuralgico y alli pudieras ver una panoramica general de la parte antigua (Mezquita Azul, tienes el Hipódromo, la Basilica de las cisternas, Palacio Topkapi, Santa Sofia), y luego de regreso pasar por Ortakoy, donde podrias por ejemplo almorzar y despues tomar otro taxi de regreso al aeropuerto, y asi podrias tomar una fotos desde el mismo.
Written March 4, 2016
Viajo en septiembre a Estambul,que ya conozco,pero ahora quiero ver lo que no conozco,somos dos senores muy mayores,quiero saber si es complicado el transporte yns tomar taxi es msd seguro,estaremos parando en el barrio Sultanamhet,mucha gracis
Written August 25, 2015
Hola Beatriz
Te sugiero lo siguiente:
-Comprar la tarjeta Instambul Card que te sirve para varios viajes en el transporte público, la misma tarjeta la pueden usar tu esposo y tú. Si no quieres, simplemente compra el ticket para cada viaje en las máquinas de la estación del tranvía.
- Tomar el tranvía desde Sultanamet hasta la última estación Kabatas. De esta manera te ahorras tiempo porque siempre hay mucho tráfico en esta zona y también te ahorras dinero porque hasta aqui no tienes que tomar taxi. Solo debes considerar que podrían pasar el trayecto de pie, pero son solo unos 20 a 30 min.
- Para la última etapa hasta Ortakoy puedes tomar un taxi si quieres ganar tiempo (lo cual es muy valioso cuando se está de viaje). De lo contrario tendrías que esperar el bus pero te saldría más barato.
- Lo que no te recomiendo es caminar de Kabatas a Ortakoy ya que es bastante lejos; mi esposo y yo lo hicimos porque había bastante tráfico y no pensamos que fuese tan lejos.
- Mi última recomendación es que lo hagas a media o final de la tarde porque es maravilloso el ambiente de noche.
Feliz viaje!
Written August 26, 2015
Bonjour,
J'aimerais savoir si ça vaut la peine de prendre un logement dans ce quartier?
Est-ce qu'il est bien desservi par les transports (surtout le soir)?
Et si les bars et autres commerces sont ouverts jusque tard le soir?
Merci
Written April 28, 2015
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