If you come to Istanbul for leisure why miss the beautiful view of Bosphorus, here below the best 4 boutique hotels located on the Bosphorus.

1 – Ajia / Kanlıca

A’jia is a distinguished boutique hotel located on the Bosphorus, with a well appointed contemporary interior design and centuries old architecture. It has 15 rooms that feature breathtaking scenes from the Bosphorus. A’jia truly offers private hideaway with easy access to historical and cultural attractions of the city.

2 – Sumahan / Çengelköy

As they said ” Sumahan is a hotel on the water”. The large bathrooms are well-appointed with thick Turkish towels and a choice of traditional colognes. Many of the rooms have their own Turkish sytle bath or hamam.

3- Bebek Hotel / Bebek

Bebek Hotel is located in the most prestigious district in Istanbul, it offers unparalleled Bosphorus views in a charming residential setting, situated within 5 minutes of modern shopping centers and business districts. You must have your breakfast at the balcony with marvellous Istanbul view. 

4 -  Villa Denise / Arnavutköy

Very old mansion has became a new renovated boutique hotel on a very popular district on the Bosphorus, Arnavutköy. It has only 5 rooms named from the closer Bosphorus districts like Yeniköy, Ortaköy and Vaniköy. Villa Denise has also a famous spanish restaurant L’ola where you can taste their delicious paella and other Spanish tastes.

Most sections of Istanbul are not very suitable for cycling because it’not a city located on a plain ground and also the motorways do not allow cyclers to ride safely in all that mess. But we can stil recommend you a few routes to enjoy a bike tour, but you should be careful because the car drivers are not very familiar with bikers. Always wear your helmet and ride safely.

1 – Buyukada (Princess Islands)
You’ll see many bike renting shops in the center of Büyükada close to the marina. There are two routes for biking: One of them is Büyük Tur, which tours around the coast of the island (12 km), and Küçük Tur which is about half of the other one. With the longer route; you will have the chance to see the non-residential area of the island with a wonderful Marmara view. If you are couple, you can choose the tandem bikes. The cost is around 10 TL for a couple of hours.

2 – Kartal – Fenerbahce
The 10 km coast on the Anatolian side, has a designated road on the pavement for bikers, so you can enjoy the view of the Princess Islands and the Marmara Sea while riding your bike.

3 – Beşiktaş – Belgrad Forest
It’s a difficult route first strating in Beşiktaş from the harbour passing through Ortakoy, Arnavutkoy, Bebek and Istinye on the motorway with a wonderful Bosphorus view; then from Ferahevler to the inside of Belgrad Forest. The route takes about 3 hours one-way with a few breaks to rest; and you should better have a mountain bike to ride in the pathways of Belgrad. There are many cafes in the coast to chill on the way back to Beşiktaş.

4 – Polonezkoy BMX Cycle Track
If you like adrenaline and would like to jump on the hills and ramps of a cross track built inside the forest of Polonezkoy, this place is for you. Official races are also held here from time to time. Please find more information about the track here and about Polonezkoy here.

1 – İnci Pastanesi

If you like chocolate, you must taste delicious “profiterol” in İnci before you leave Istanbul. It is a very old pastry shop with 5 small tables, most of the time you have to wait at the queue just to get a portion but when you taste it we bet you will order the second immediately. It on the right of Istiklal Street No. 124/2.

2 – Bahar Pastanesi

Since 1973, they are popular with their pastries. They are the right adress for breakfast or for 5 o’ clock tea, and they have several branches.

a) Bahar pastanesi at Tesvikiye, very small shop, maybe it is better to pack the breakfast. (Atiye Street No. 3/A).

b) Bahar pastanesi at Arnavutköy, beautiful view of Bosphorus, freshly brewed Turkish tea and simit (Turkish bagel). (1st avenue no.48).

c) Bahar pastanesi at Kınalıada, it is on one of the Prince’s Islands, easy to go by ferry (suggested for summer), it can be a very good choice also for breakfast before renting a bike or making an island tour. (Ali Boran Square 1/1).

3 – Baylan Pastanesi

It is located at Asian side of Istanbul, if you have time to take the ferry from the port of Karakoy or Besiktas, close to the old city, you will also enjoy the nostalgic ferry trip. They are serving amazing tastes since 1923 but mostly famous with ‘Cup Griye’ vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, toasted almond, pistachios and served with freshly baked cats’tounge biscuits.

4 – Gezi Pastanesi

Next to İstanbul Opera and Ballet center (AKM) in Taksim Square, they are famous with home made chocolates but all type of pastries are delicious, it is very convenient to have a cup of coffee with small snacks after a tiring day or just before a concert (For your information, AKM is under reconstruction).

  

2 – Burgaz Island Harbour – Kalpazankaya (Princess Islands – 2,5 km)

Watch İstanbul out of Istanbul from a beautiful island. You’ll walk through the old houses of Burgaz, on a silent pathway where no cars are allowed and reach the small hill of Kalpazankaya, to have a beer looking over the enormous city.

3 – Üsküdar – Salacak (Asian Side – 1,5 km)

Great view of European side of Bosphorus including Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palace. On summer nights till late hours, you will see the people chatting by the sea in front of Maiden Tower.

Authentic local cuisine of east Meditterenean and the city of Gaziantep is served here with an ultimate taste. Except for the kebabs, the menu changes everyday; the kebabs are also delicious but the rest of the menu is more unique. Eat as much as you can, the soups, the main courses with or without meat, salads, pilafs, desserts and sorbets are wonderful. The restaurant is located in a crowded street of Kadikoy – Guneslibahce Street No.43 walking distance from the harbour. Their website is inviting: http://www.ciya.com.tr/index_en.php

2- Haci Abdullah

A traditional restaurant in Istanbul with history of more than 100 years, Hacı Abdullah is one of the best places to taste traditional Turkish food. From the main courses Beğendili Kebap (kebab with eggplant puret), Elbasan Tava (lamb casserole with yoghurt) are the favorites. Check their website: http://www.haciabdullah.com.tr/wp-content/English/index.html

3 – Hünkar

The food is delicious and less olive is involved when compared to other traditional Turkish restaurants, so you do not feel discomfort even if you eat forcing your limits. You can see the varities of the menu from an open counter; and choose from there. Hünkar Beğendi (sultan’s delight, lamb stew served on mashed eggplant) would be good choice of main course. Oven baked rice pudding is also worth trying as a dessert.

4 – Abracadabra

You can taste modern interpretations of Turkish food at this prototype restaurant in a waterside residence. Most of the fresh and natural ingredients of the menu is directly brought from the producers, and provides a real taste. If you’re looking for experimenting Turkish food, first go to the classic ones (as above) to understand, then visit Abra Cadabra for well-modified versions. The restaurant is located on Arnavutkoy Street just across the dock of Arnavutkoy.