Ortaköy on the Bosphorus, Istanbul

Ortaköy, once literally "the village in the middle" (orta) the European Bosphorus shore, is now among Istanbul's coolest, chic-est, most artsy neighborhoods, with trendy boutiques, atmospheric cafes and bistrots, and crowds of young, sophisticated residents and visitors.

It's a good place to stop for tea or coffee, a snack or a meal, a stroll, some boutique window-shopping or a rest, particularly if you've spent the morning on a Bosphorus cruise north to Sariyer. If it's a Sunday, expect an impromptu street market of artists displaying their wares for admiration and (they hope) sale.

It doesn't jump out at you, but Ortaköy has a lot of history.

If you descend from a bus or minibus at Osmanzade Sokak, you're right near the Etz Ahayim Synagogue, with the steeple and bell tower of a small Orthodox church not far away.

Walk east on Osmanzade to get to the Bosphorus shore and Ortaköy's most famous landmark: the Büyük Mecidiye Camii (Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid), usually called simply the Ortaköy Camii (Ortaköy Mosque), almost in the water on the Bosphorus European shore.

The eclectic-Baroque mosque (1854) is the work of architect Nikogos Balyan, the designer of Dolmabahçe Palace, a scion of the famous Armenian family of imperial architects. Within the mosque hang several masterful examples of Arabic calligraphy executed by Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861) himself, who was an accomplished calligrapher.

Coffeehouses and tea terraces overlooking the water fill the seaside next to the mosque now as they have for decades—perhaps centuries—and are one of Ortaköy's prime attractions.

Tour of the European Shore of the Bosphorus

Southern Bosphorus Sights

Bosphorus Tour by Traditional Ferry

Bosphorus Tour by TurYol Boat

Bosphorus Cruise

The Bosphorus

Dolmabahçe Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace

Istanbul Sights

Istanbul Homepage

Above, Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii) and the Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul.
Below, Ortaköy's waterside cafes and promenades are crowded on any fine day.

Ortakoy, Istanbul, Turkey