Ortaköy, Istanbul

Ortaköy, under the European side of the Bosphorus Bridge, with its beautiful mosque, church, synagogue, and its colorful bazaar, and lively atmosphere is, without doubt, one of the most delightful areas of Istanbul.



Ortaköy, was Arkheion in ancient times and Klidon in the Byzantine period, when Jewish, Greek, and Muslim communities lived in the region which was famous for its taverns. Today among the places to visit is Ortaköy Square on the seafront with the magnificent Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, Esma Sultan Mansion, (which dates back to the 18th century), Sultan III, and the fountain, which was built by the son-in-law and the grand vizier, Damat İbrahim Pasha, of the Ottoman Sultan III Ahmed in the 18th-century.

Don’t miss Ayios Fokas, the Greek Orthodox Church which dates back to the Byzantine period though the current building dates back to 1856, and Surp Krikor Lusavoric, an Armenian Catholic Church built in 1839 on Dereboyu Street, as well as Etz Ahayim (Tree of Life), the synagogue which dates back to the 14th century.

You can while away several hours in the Ortaköy area, admiring the architecture, wandering the lively streets, crammed with stalls and antique shops, sipping a kumpir from a bench in the square whilst watching the Bosphorus snake by… or even chilling out at restaurants or  a cafe  on the beach.

On weekends, there is a  street market in and around the square  and shops and stands  sell  local craftsmen's products such as souvenirs, handcrafted jewellry, hats, bags, second-hand books, and colourful objects

Nightlife in Ortaköy is very colourful, especially on summer evenings when you can have a wonderful  night's entertainment with the boats that depart from Ortaköy and tour the Bosphorus.

Eating and drinking opportunities in Ortaköy are very diverse. You can find many quality tea gardens, cafes, and restaurants on the Ortaköy coast, in Ortaköy square, and Dereboyu Street in the interior.