About the Bosphorus Walk : To Asia and Back Walk in Istanbul
This three-hour learning experience is not a typical "Bosphorus Cruise" experience. Rather than zipping past a couple of the big monuments on a tourist boat, we make use of Istanbul's public ferry system to criss-cross the Bosphorus, immersing ourselves in everyday life, and visiting off-the-beaten-path parts of the city that go undiscovered by average visitors.
In addition to experiencing the boats on the Bosphorus, we'll get off and walk some of the small towns and neighborhoods along both sides of the waterway. Designed as an orientation to the city, this approach enables us to step back and see Istanbul from a distance, explore some of the larger geographical and historical themes that have shaped the city, and enjoy the Bosphorus, one of its many charms.
We begin at the main ferry pier in the historic center and take the public ferry over to the Asian side. Used by locals, the ferries are a great way to immerse oneself into the rhythm of Istanbul. As we cross through the busy se
read more
This three-hour learning experience is not a typical "Bosphorus Cruise" experience. Rather than zipping past a couple of the big monuments on a tourist boat, we make use of Istanbul's public ferry system to criss-cross the Bosphorus, immersing ourselves in everyday life, and visiting off-the-beaten-path parts of the city that go undiscovered by average visitors.
In addition to experiencing the boats on the Bosphorus, we'll get off and walk some of the small towns and neighborhoods along both sides of the waterway. Designed as an orientation to the city, this approach enables us to step back and see Istanbul from a distance, explore some of the larger geographical and historical themes that have shaped the city, and enjoy the Bosphorus, one of its many charms.
We begin at the main ferry pier in the historic center and take the public ferry over to the Asian side. Used by locals, the ferries are a great way to immerse oneself into the rhythm of Istanbul. As we cross through the busy sea traffic that plies the Strait, our docent will point out the major monuments, discuss the role of the Strait in modern commerce, and paint with broad strokes the overall story of the city. As we ride, we'll enjoy a small glass of strong tea, a sophisticated tradition on the ferries.
We'll spend the next few hours exploring the Asian side and the many faces of the city. Our tour will take us to a conservative part of town to visit a number of traditional mosques. This is a good jumping off point for introducing visitors to one of the big themes of Istanbul: the tension between secular Turkey and growing religious conservatism. We'll gain valuable insight into these questions by visiting local monuments and discovering the hidden nooks and crannies this often overlooked part of the city, far from the tourist crowds.
Our adventure will also take us to a small fishing village where the Ottoman viziers and other notables built their villas. Today, officially a part of Istanbul, the villages of Cengelkoy and Kuzguncuk, still retain their original character, and provide yet another contrast in this megalopolis of 16 million people.
We'll hop another ferry back to the European side, catching stunning views of the Bosphorus bridges, Dolmabahce Palace, and the rest of the European shoreline. Depending on time, we may disembark in Besiktas, a vibrant, young part of town that, along with nearby Nisantasi, provides a very different face of Istanbul. We'll emerge with a deeper sense of the historical and cultural context that frames Istanbul, prepared to visit the rest of the city on our trip.
Note: Due to ferry schedules, the actual course of this tour can take many different forms. But, in each case, we'll get out on the Bosphorus for at least two ferry rides, and visit the Asian side.
