Ortaköy a neighbourhood, formerly a small village, within the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, located in the middle of the European bank of the Bosphorus.
Ortaköy was a cosmopolitan area during the Ottoman era and the first decades of the Turkish Republic, with communities of Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Today the neighbourhood still hosts many different religious (Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, and other Christian) structures. It is also a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, with its art galleries, night clubs, cafés, bars, and restaurants.
The Neo-Baroque style Ortaköy Mosque is a beautifully ornate structure, right on the jetty of Ortaköy, bordering the waters of the Bosphorus, and thus highly visible from the passing boats.
Ortaköy was the site of George W. Bush’s speech during the NATO Summit of 2004, which he delivered at Galatasaray University.
Ortakoy district used to be a romantic fishing village. Today it is an affluent waterfront neighborhood located in the middle of Bosphorus’ European bank.
Ortaköy with many art galleries, night clubs, cafés, bars, and restaurants the district is hugely popular on weekends both among locals and tourists, one of the oldest buildings of Ortaköy is the nearly 500-year old Turkish bath. It was built by Ottoman star architect Mimar Sinan in 1556.
The Ortaköy Mosque is a beautifully ornamented Neo-Baroque style mosque. It was built in the 18th c, but only received its current ornate look in the middle of 19th c. Çırağan Palace was built in 1871 by Sultan Abdülaziz as his residence. Until a fire severely damaged the building in 1910 the palace served as the Ottoman Parliament. Today it is one of Istanbul’s most luxurious hotels.
Ortaköy Mosque and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Ortaköy is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, with its art galleries, night clubs, cafés, bars, and restaurants and at night, the lights on the mighty Bosphorus Bridge change color, graceful without being kitsch.
Ortakoy, Istanbul,
This place is one of the best in Istanbul. The restaurants are always busy. There are a few potato shop that sell baked potato with salad are delicious. And then you can sit a cafe and look to the bosphorus and drinking real turkish tea or coffee.
Ortakoy is a great alternative to Galata if you want an evening meal overlooking the Bospherous. There are market type stalls throughout the streets (daily not just weekends) and quite well priced souvenir shops. The 'must do' seems to be the giant baked potato that definitely needs to be shared, but there is food to suit every taste and budget….
A very cosmopolitan area full of little bars and cafes. It gives you the feel of small seaside towns with its cobblestone streets, music, stalls on the street… Everything
It's by the Bosphorus and a beautiful Ortakoy mosque. I recommend you go there at night to see the mosque under yellow flood lights. Magical!
things that you really see and visit..this kind of places remenber you that you are in istanbul and turkey,,,you must eat kumpir and takes pics with the cami…..also small bazzar exists there…
Ortakoy is a beautiful area to grab a quick snack and meander the cute streets in the neighbourhood or to sit down for a delicious fish meal while overlooking the Bosphorous.
This is a brilliant area to get lost and wander about. Full of small shops and cafes. Great place to spend an afternoon looking at art galleries and soaking in real Istanbul culture.
There is also a nice Ottoman Neo-Baroque style mosque near the Bosphorus pier.
OK everyone said you MUST go. Why? Maybe at night when all the clubs are in action if you are under 30. Maybe if you haven't quite seen enough food stalls or souvenier stores. Maybe if you haven't seen enough churches or mosques. There are better ways to spend a morning.
It's so lovely to see the transition of Ortakoy over the last 20 years.. It used to be a pure residential typical Bosphorous village which turnedd out to be a get-together place along with good restaurants, shops, coffee shops and now even with trendy hip hotels. Too crowded to get there on a Sunday but try to make it if…
It appears that the Turkish people loved huge baked potatoes stuffed with all kinds of ingredients, from cheese to hot dogs to canned mushrooms, etc. Ortokoy appears to be stuffed potato central. Worth a taste and a little tour of the area.
Very touristy place but has nice restaurants overlooking the Bosphorus on the European side of Intanbul.