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 – Mini Dondurma:
A very small ice cream shop serving excellent ice cream in Bebek for more than 40 years. It’s an unavoidable stop in your visit to Bebek.
See their website.

 
2 – Ali Usta:
It’s one of the most famous ice cream maker in Istanbul. They buy the most quality milk from outer towns of Istanbul to make the delicious ice cream. Ice cream with Turkish coffee is a strong recommendation. It’s located on Moda Avenue 264/A Kadikoy.

3 – Yaşar Usta:
It’s an ice cream stand in Bostancı serving home made ice cream with various fruits. The tastes of the fruits are so real and natural, and this makes the ice cream an irresistable one. It’s very close to “minibus avenue” on the left of the street in front of Shell.

4 – Mado:
It’s an ice cream chain in Turkey, serving Maraş Ice Cream which is a traditional type of ice cream with an elastic texture.
See their website.

  

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.

Bosphorus is always beautiful, especially in the mornings. It’s a great start for a day to have your breakfast with a view of Bosphorus, and the places below are the ones that you can enjoy the view and have a good breakfast. People in Istanbul mostly choose to have their breakfast outside their house on weekends, so if you want to skip the crowds, choose to go to these restaurants on weekdays.

1 – Bebek Cafe
A popular place for a long time, nothing luxurious, it is operated by the same people for years and everything is set up to get relaxed and listen to the Bosphorus. It is always busy and it is not easy to find a table next to the Bosphorus, you will enjoy your linden tea with your ‘peynirli simit’ (Turkish bagel with cheese).
It’s just next to the dock in Bebek, close to the park.

2 – Lokma
With its perfect location, this place serves breakfast from a menu of a lot of choices. Get your book with you and come to Lokma in the morning to see one of the best views from the European side, including the view of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge on the Bosphorus. After breakfast, there’s also a beautiful walking route from Hisar to Bebek, Arnavutköy, and Ortaköy depending on how strong you got your breakfast.
From Taksim or Sultanahmet you should get to Kabatas by tram, and get on a bus to Rumeli Hisari – bus 22RE, there are also direct buses from Taksim. Taxi from Taksim should cost maximum 20 TL.

3 – Ortaköy House Cafe
House cafes are now 7 branches throughout İstanbul, all have the same comfortable large chairs with a low lounge music and finely selected dishes on a menu. If you would like to add also a beautiful view of Bosphorus bridge and Ortaköy Mosque that is the place, you can have a large breakfast with all the specialities but if you like the place (we bet you are) why don’t you also come for a sunset drink? Do not forget you will be just one meter away from the Bosphorus.
When you come to Ortakoy, anyone can give you directions to the House Cafe.

4 – Mangerie
Actually their style is similar to House Cafe located at Bebek – very popular place with nice cafes & restaurants, especially at weekend you will need a reservation to take your seat on the Bosphorus view large balcony, you will sip your tea with freshly baked bread and cakes.
It’s on Cevdetpasa Street 69, Bebek.