Europe
Türkiye
Istanbul
Things to Do in Istanbul
Ortakoy
See all things to do

Ortakoy

See all things to do
See all things to do
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
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Ortakoy
See all
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
4,469 within 3 miles
Banyan
474
0.1 mi$$$$ • Asian • Fusion • Vegetarian Friendly
Feriye
525
0.1 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Turkish
Nhà Ginza Ginza Restaurant
49
0.1 miJapanese • Sushi • Asian • Vietnamese
The House Cafe
808
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • Mediterranean
Pizano Pizzeria
49
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Muessese Ortakoy
43
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Mediterranean • European
Anjelique
221
0.1 mi$$$$ • Bar • International • European
Poisson Restaurant
93
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Turkish
Harbi Adana Ocakbaşı
30
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Turkish
Ortakoy Ocakbasi
20
0.2 mi$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • Mediterranean
See all
Attractions
1,080 within 6 miles
ETZ Ahayim Synagogue
5
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
Buyuk Mecidiye Cami
108
0.2 miReligious Sites
Ortakoy Cultural Center
2
0.1 miCivic Centres
Galatasaray University
14
0.3 miEducational sites
Bosphorus Bridge
1,901
0.6 miBridges
Simya Galeri
425 ftArt Galleries
Suleymaniye Mosque
12,595
Religious Sites
Sultanahmet District
16,733
Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Hagia Sophia Mosque
44,653
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Yildiz Park
234
0.9 miParks
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,823 reviews
Excellent
1,044
Very good
601
Average
128
Poor
26
Terrible
24
Ravana G
Warsaw, Poland29 contributions
Where the Sun meets Sea 🌊
Dec 2022 • Solo
One of the best sea views in Istanbul! This location is always full of people, both with tourists and locals. People live to buy “simit” or take their food and wait for a beautiful Sunrise.

Ortakoy is famous with restaurants that offer Turkish breakfast and local dishes.

Here you can enjoy narrow streets by doing some shopping or eat “kumpir” (pronounced “khum-phir”) is a baked potato that is cut open and covered with a pile of delicious toppings of your choosing. You can choose from sweetcorn, peas, tuna and kisir (Bulgarian salad). Price for kumpir is 100 Turkish lira (December, 2022)
Written December 24, 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.
Severn
2,182 contributions
Grand Imperial Mosque
Aug 2020
A small but amazingly beautiful mosque. Festive white, gilded, decorated with beautiful carvings, inside is very light from large windows. It is located in the Ortakoy region, on the shores of the Bosphorus. You can get there by bus 22 from the Kabatas stop or by ferry to the pier.

Небольшая, но удивительной красоты мечеть. Праздничного белого цвета, с позолотой, украшена красивой резьбой, внутри очень светло от больших окон. Находится в районе Ортакой, на берегу Босфора. Добраться можно автобусом 22 от остановки Кабаташ или паромом до пристани.
Written August 30, 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.
Beatriz M
Düsseldorf, Germany5,577 contributions
Visit the mosque!
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.
Jak H
1 contribution
Disgusted
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.
Abovetheclouds
1,916 contributions
Atmospheric!
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.
Russ Lacuata
Long Beach, CA8,520 contributions
People Watching
Oct 2020 • Friends
Ortakoy Square is a famous and one of the most touristy area in the Besiktas district. The excellent location makes it a very popular and lively places full of young people and tourists. Besides people watching, other favorite activities includes drinking tea or coffee at the various cafes and restaurants with the view of the Bosphorus. Best time to visit is at sunset with the Bosphorus Bridge and the Ortakoy Mosque lighted brightly.

I do suggest to take a stroll the area across opposite the square. There are many cafes and restaurants thats also where many locals and students at a nearby university hang out.
Written October 19, 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.
Lucy
Nashville, TN1,154 contributions
Kumpir
Nov 2020
Kumpir was the primal purpose to be there. We thought there were only one kumpir stall there, and others are something else. When we arrived, there were dozens of same kumpir stalls by different company, everybody was asking us to get one from them. It is really something to see. Besides that, Ortakoy had a lot of small shops. Those may not be too different from those in Istanbul, but one good thing is they don't call you in to come to see their store. So you can go in only to those you feel like.
Written November 30, 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.
Irem R
Türkiye25 contributions
A breathingly beautiful area
Nov 2021 • Couples
An amazing area offering great views of Bosporus and the Bosporus bridge. We visited because we wanted to tru the kumpir and the waffles that the area is famous for and we were not disappointed.
There are short bosporus cruises departing from the area, which are highly recommended.
Written November 6, 2021
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.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia16,866 contributions
Nice area before the bridge
Sep 2020
Ortakoy is a neighborhood right by the Bosphorus Strait on the European side. It's just around the famous bridge connecting two continents.
The main attraction here is the same name Mosque, very ornate. However, I found it more interesting to walk the side streets further to feel real local life.
There's also a water taxi station nearby to cross on the other side with great views of the bridge.
Written October 1, 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.
arzanstudio
Mumbai, India150 contributions
Casual Bosporous side area one can loiter around
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.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 818
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Ortakoy (Istanbul) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Ortakoy
We recommend booking Ortakoy tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 113 Ortakoy tours on Tripadvisor