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Chasing Fluidity: How To Explore the

Waters of Istanbul

Discovering Istanbul by water is a refreshing way to take in its sights | © BEAUMONT Frederic / Alamy Stock Photo

JAMES SMART
UPDATED: 9 AUGUST 2019

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Water moves through Istanbul like blood through a body, dividing the city
into separate quarters and splitting it into two continents. Visitors can
cruise the Bosphorus, ride up the Golden Horn, explore islands, heat up
in steamy hammams or cool down in a cavernous Byzantine cistern.
Exploring Istanbul by water offers fresh perspectives and classic sights –
not to mention a dash of James Bond and Game of Thrones.
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The waters that have made Istanbul a great port and global city are also
paradoxically the reason it isn’t Turkey’s capital. Atatürk, the founder of modern
Turkey, was fearful of how easily gunboats could attack Istanbul, and instead
chose Ankara as the seat of government. Water remains a key part of Istanbul,
and the city is defined by three peaceful bodies of water that should be a big part
of any visit here. The Golden Horn is an estuary that separates the Old City and
the New City while the Bosphorus is a strait that divides Europe from Asia The
the New City, while the Bosphorus is a strait that divides Europe from Asia. The
Sea of Marmara is a great place for a cruise and the settingDiscover
for the Princes’
Islands . a city

The Golden Horn is a natural estuary © wei cao / Alamy Stock Photo

Explore the Basilica Cistern à la James Bond

Bustling Sultanahmet in the Old City – home to the Hagia Sophia and the
Topkapı Palace – might seem an unlikely place to find a watery wonder.
However, if you head beneath its streets, you’ll find the vast Basilica Cistern , an
eerily lit space of grand pillars, dripping water and ghostly carp. Commissioned by
Emperor Justinian in AD 532 to store water for the Great Palace of Byzantium, the
cistern once held over 80,000 cubic metres (2.8 million cubic feet) of water and
was part of a massive water network.

Sealed up for centuries, the Basilica Cistern was rediscovered in the 16th century.
Today, it’s been mostly drained, and you can wander along the paths between
the pools while spotting fish, taking in the 336 columns (two have Medusa heads
at their base) and soaking up the atmosphere. Film buffs take note: James Bond
rowed through the cistern on his way to spy on the Soviet Embassy in the film
From Russia With Love.
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The Basilica Cistern features 336 marble and granite columns © Alexander Tolstykh / Alamy Stock Photo

Take in the views in Beyoğlu

Divided from the rest of the city by the Golden Horn on one side and the
Bosphorus on the other, the New City is the modern heart of Istanbul. The
gentrifying neighbourhood of Beyoğlu stands tall at its southern tip, offering smart
restaurants, buzzing bars and some of the best views in the city.

The historical Galata Tower (built when this neighbourhood was a colony of
Genoa) has a viewing balcony offering lovely views of the surrounding buildings
and water. However, you can also get an exceptional perspective just by walking
the streets. The blue of the Bosphorus will move in and out of your eyeline as you
wander the neighbourhood’s hills and alleys.

If those hills sound like hard work, the walk across the Galata Bridge is an
excellent alternative, mixing serene views, the screech of seagulls and the calls of
stallholders. The bridge crosses the Golden Horn, connecting Beyoğlu and the
Old City, and is a good spot for a beer, too. A short walk along the shore takes
you to the impressive Istanbul Modern , a big-budget modern art gallery. It sits
just by the water and you can watch birds and ferries come and go from its
just by the water, and you can watch birds and ferries come and go from its
charming café. Discover
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Take in scenes of the Bosphorus from the Beyoğlu district © Artur Bogacki / Alamy Stock Photo

Cross the Bosphorus in a ferry at sunset

Wandering around a city is the best way to get a feel for its energy and identity –
and in Istanbul, you can do it by boat. A trip on the Bosphorus is simply
breathtaking, especially at sunset. The light slants across a packed cityscape of
hills and minarets while the rosy sky and blue water offer a cinematic backdrop as
you travel between continents. Ferries run between Eminönü (for the Old City)
and Karaköy (in Beyoğlu) on the European side, and Kadıköy and Üsküdar (on the
Asian side).

While Kadıköy and Üsküdar have fewer tourist sights than the central districts, a
day trip or stopover for lunch here might just be the best part of your holiday
thanks to the neighbourhoods’ relaxed atmosphere and great food.

The public ferries are cheap and frequent. The trip to cross over from the
European to the Asian side takes between 30 and 60 minutes, and longer
voyages are available.
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Taking a ferry across the Bosphorus is a must-do when in Istanbul © Jochen Tack / Alamy Stock Photo

Immerse yourself in the history of the Golden Horn

The Golden Horn stretches north and west past Beyoğlu, and a ferry ride here
can be a magical experience. While it was once heavily polluted, the waterway is
clean again.

As you drift happily along its length, you can ponder the fact that it was once
defended by a great chain. Metal chains have been used throughout history to
protect water bodies with access to a nation’s interior. (This chain is even the
likely inspiration for the one used to block off the harbour in Game of Thrones’
Battle of the Blackwater.)

The chain across the Golden Horn stopped Mehmet II’s 15th-century armada from
sailing up to attack Constantinople from the north. Unfortunately for the
Byzantines, the Sultan instead transported his ships overland on rollers, surprising
and eventually taking the city, which he renamed Istanbul.

A fine focal point for a trip is the Chora Museum , a mosaic-packed Byzantine
church that’s a 20-minute walk from the Ayvansaray ferry stop. Frequent ferries
from Üsküdar dock at Karaköy and Eminönü before heading up the Golden Horn,
Discover
taking between 20 and 45 minutes to reach Ayvansaray.
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Travelling along the Golden Horn provides spectacular views of Istanbul © LizCoughlan / Alamy Stock Photo

Escape to the Princes’ Islands

After a few long days of navigating Istanbul’s traffic, the nearby Princes’ Islands
can offer a tranquil escape. The nine islands sit in the Sea of Marmara, around 20
kilometres (12.4 miles) southeast of the city. You can reach four of them –
Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada – easily from the city centre.

Private vehicles are banned on the islands, which offer pleasant pebbly beaches,
hilltop monasteries and some decent bars and restaurants. They get busy on
summer weekends, but the rest of the time a trip here is a wonderfully relaxing
experience. After a stroll through the hills, take a quick dip in the sea and a ferry
ride – complete with hair-ruffling sea breezes and the chance to spot dolphins.
You’ll return refreshed and ready for more big-city adventures.

Regular ferries run from Kabataş to Eminönü and Kadıköy, and then on to the
islands. Kınalıada (50 minutes from Eminönü) and Burgazada (one hour and five
minutes) are small and pleasant. Heybeliada (one hour and 20 minutes) and
minutes) are small and pleasant. Heybeliada (one hour and 20 minutes) and
Büyükada (one hour and 35 minutes) are larger and offer more walking and food
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options, plus monasteries. You can stay overnight, but accommodations are
limited. Therefore, a day trip is probably your best bet.

Büyükada is the largest of the nine Princes’ Islands © Tim Willcox / Alamy Stock Photo

Get steamy at a traditional hammam

Whether you’ve spent a long day exploring or just fancy a bit of pampering,
Istanbul’s hammams are another must-visit. There are options across the city,
from gorgeous buildings popular with tourists to cheaper local baths. The
Cağaloğlu Hamamı dates from 1741 and offers massages under an elegant central
dome, while the Ambassador Hotel is a modern alternative with oil massages.

Men and women visit hammams separately, and establishments either have
different sections or different visiting times. You’ll receive a wrap to cover
yourself, along with soap and a towel. Typically, you’ll sweat it out in a steam
room before being soaped, massaged and scrubbed. Afterwards, you’ll take a
blissfully cool shower. Go with the flow, and by the end, you’ll feel blessed by
Istanbul’s waters.
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The Cağaloğlu Hamamı has a long history, first opening in 1741 © Invictus SARL / Alamy Stock Photo

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