Planning a day trip to Ortaköy, a neighbourhood that sits on the European shores of the Bosphorus? My quick guide has got you covered.
“To gaze at the Ortaköy Mosque as it gleams against the Bosphorus is to see poetry etched in stone”. – Unknown
Nestled along the shimmering waters of the Bosphorus, Ortaköy is one of Istanbul’s most charming neighbourhoods—a delightful blend of history, culture, and modern vibe. Its story has long been shaped by the Byzantine and the Ottoman era. It was also an important neighbourhood for the Jewish and Greek communities. That is, of course, until most of the Jewish population left in 1948, and later on the 1955 riots caused the Greeks and the Armenians to leave. These days there are very few non-Muslim communities left in Ortaköy.
However, one doesn’t necessarily come here to do many defined activities or see anything in particular. It’s more about wandering the streets, admiring the mosque architecture, sitting and sipping coffee and feeling the cool breeze with a view, eating something unique to the place, chatting with a few locals, and watching daily life unfold somewhere far from home.
That’s usually the appeal to both locals and travellers alike. I also think it’s one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
My friend and I spent about five hours in Ortaköy Square on a sunny day, but most will only need to set aside three hours or so if you’re not having breakfast or lunch.
Breakfast at The House Cafe
We had breakfast at The House Cafe before exploring Ortaköy. It was nice because we got a seat by the water allowing us to enjoy the breeze and the view while we ate. The House Cafe in Ortaköy is one of the many cafe branches in Istanbul and the menus are all the same. It includes classic tastes as well as dishes for the adventurous palette. Find it here on Google Maps.
Explore Ortaköy Mosque
It’s hard not to miss the crowning jewel, the Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii). It’s perched right on the edge of the Bosphorus, which also happens to be right in the town’s square.
We explored the square after having breakfast at The House Cafe. While the heat begins to set in, a few cats are lurking in the shadows, and the sun starts revealing the beauty of the mosque.
It’s a stunning photo opportunity. For a nice shot, try heading to the square in front of the mosque or take a short walk to the nearby piers for a wider perspective of the mosque framed by the Bosphorus Bridge.
The mosque itself tells the story of the town and its surrounding area. But the most lasting impression to me was how the ornate details of the exterior, the large windows, its 19th-century Baroque-style carvings and the domes of the mosque reflect the intricacy and elegance of Ottoman architecture —it’s a whole layer of appreciation for a landmark.
Like many other mosques, it’s open for visits from 9 am to 6 pm every day but closed to visitors during prayer times. It’s free to enter but donations are always welcome.
Wander Through the Streets of Ortaköy
Ortaköy’s streets are a treasure trove for curious wanderers. The vibrant neighbourhood buzzes with life, offering a delightful mix of local culture, artisanal goods, and mouthwatering street food.
Shop for Handmade Crafts and Souvenirs
Whilst the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is notably known for its overwhelming atmosphere, intense haggling, and chaotic crowds, shopping in Ortaköy Square is much more relaxing —typically friendlier and less pressured to buy something. If you’re into unique handmade crafts including jewellery, textiles, and quirky ceramics, then this is a good place to find them. Many artisans sell their creations directly, so you get a more personal shopping experience here.
If you’re feeling up for it, don’t forget to chat with the artists. You might hear fascinating stories behind their creations.
Indulge on Street Food Delights
Eat Ortaköy’s Famous Kumpir for Lunch
I’m a huge Kumpir fan. It’s no different than your common baked potato stuffed with cheese and a bunch of other toppings. Locals say the difference between these oversized baked potatoes here in Ortaköy and other parts of the world is in the variety of toppings on offer. They weren’t kidding. Each vendor offers their twist on a dizzying array of toppings to choose from—from tangy pickles to creamy sauces and fresh vegetables.
Unfortunately, I didn’t eat any Kumpir while in Ortaköy. I had just finished a hearty breakfast at The House Cafe, and my tummy didn’t have enough room to spare for an oversized baked potato. We were also done exploring Ortaköy before lunch. So if you don’t want to miss out like I did, time your day there so you can sample a Kumpir.
Find the street of Kumpir stalls on Google Maps
Try Ortaköy Waffles
On the same street where all the Kumpir stalls are, you’ll find plenty of waffle stores to sample.
For those with a sweet tooth, Ortaköy waffles are a must. These decadent desserts are loaded with fresh fruits, chocolate, and other toppings, creating a delightful explosion of flavours in every bite.
Find waffles on Google Maps.
Enjoy the Bosphorus Views
Alfresco Lunch at The House Café
One of the highlights of my trip to Ortaköy was the simple pleasures of relaxing and enjoying breakfast by the water. If your schedule is a little different than ours, lunch by the water is just as pleasant.
Whilst you may have heard or read somewhere that The House Cafe is Turkey’s most successful and beloved cafe-restaurant chain, the Ortaköy branch is probably the best one out of all the branches. It has an expansive space, with an indoor section as you enter and two large alfresco areas with a privileged and blissful view of the stunning seaside. Ideal to watch the world go by and all the activity on the Bosphorus and around Ortaköy Mosque.
Enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise
Now, I don’t mean joining a guided cruise tour. There’s no need for that because you can take the public ferry back to wherever you are based or to other destinations along the ferry route from Ortaköy. This can easily become your very own cruise tour with the freedom to choose where you want to go and stop. They are also the easiest most affordable, convenient way to get around Istanbul. Once on the ferry, you are free to choose seats, maybe get a cup of coffee or your favourite beverage and snack, and enjoy the breeze and views.
Just like any public transportation in Istanbul, you can easily use Istanbulkart to pay for the fare.
Tip: Don’t forget to purchase Istanbulkart before you start exploring Istanbul. Look for Istanbulkart vending machines (Biletmatik) at:
- Metro stations
- Tram stops
- Bus stations
- Docks
They are also available in Istanbul Airport, located on the 2nd floor, near the shuttle bus departure area. Istanbulkart costs 50TL and you can easily top up using the same machine.
How to Get to Ortaköy
Getting to Ortaköy depends on where you’ll be coming from. It’s likely that your day will be filled with several spots in Istanbul, and that Ortaköy may not be the first destination for the day. And for that reason, you have several transportation options to opt for.
You can find further details on which trams, buses, metro lines or ferries to take from several locations in Istanbul.
Get to Ortaköy from Sultanahmet
By tram and bus | These two transportations are the most popular and affordable way to get to not only Ortaköy but almost anywhere in Istanbul. Take the T1 tram line from Sultanahmet to Kabatas. Then from Kabatas, make a transfer to the 22, 25 or 30D buses, all of which head to Ortaköy. From there, the journey should take roughly 30–40 minutes.
By Uber/Taxi | Depending on traffic, the journey should take about 20–30 minutes. However, I highly recommend ordering an Uber. Most of the rides you get are taxi drivers anyway, but what’s important is that it’s more reliable than ordering a ride using the BiTaksi app, rate-wise.
My experience with ordering a ride from BiTaksi was frustrating because as soon as a driver accepted, they almost always negotiated a price with me in Euros instead of sticking with the price presented on the app in Turkish Lira.
But don’t take my word for it. Download both apps to compare prices and services if you have to.
A typical Uber ride to Ortaköy costs between 20 and 30 TRY.
Get to Ortaköy from Taksim Square/Beyoğlu
By Metro and bus | Take the M2 Metro line from Taksim to Levent. From there, transfer to the 28 or 40 bus heading to Ortaköy. This should take about 30 minutes to reach.
By Uber/Taxi | A car journey will take 15–20 minutes.
Get to Ortaköy from Galata Tower
By Bus | From Galata Tower, walk to the Şişhane Metro station area and look for bus lines 28, 28T or 30D. These bus lines bring you directly to Ortaköy. If you’re not able to find these bus lines, look for bus lines 22, 22RE or 25E, which will bring you to Beşiktaş to make a transfer to Ortaköy.
By Metro | A popular option is to take the Metro line M2 to get to Ortaköy.
By Tram | From Galata Tower, walk about 10-15 minutes downhill to Karaköy Tram Station**.** Board the tram T5 to get to get to Ortaköy. Alternatively, you can walk to Şişhane T5 Tram Stop (near the Şişhane Square). The T5 tram line runs parallel to the Golden Horn shoreline sitting on Kemeraltı Caddesi.
By Train | Look for train line B1 to get to Ortaköy.
Get to Ortaköy from Eminönü
By Ferry and Bus | One of the easiest, most reliable and most pleasant modes of transportation in my opinion is the ferry ride. If that sounds like what you’re looking to do and want to avoid traffic, it’s recommended to take the Istanbul City Line Ferries (Şehir Hatları). Note that the ferry schedule shows departures from Ortaköy to Eminönü (with a stop at Beşiktaş), however, there aren’t any direct ferry departures from Eminönü.
All you have to do is board the ferry from Eminönü to Beşiktaş and take buses 22, 22RE or 25E to Ortaköy.
Additional tips to get around Istanbul:
- Ferries are the easiest, and most pleasant and serve as a more reliable mode of transportation between towns.
- Istanbulkart is your best friend and is a great way to save money and make your travel seamless and smooth while exploring the city.
- Istanbul’s rush hours are 7-10 AM and 5-8 PM. This means ferry rides can often save time.
- If you’re near Beşiktaş and the weather is bearable, the walk along the Bosphorus to Ortaköy is both beautiful and relaxing.
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