The Bosphorus

Whether explored in person or seen from the vantage point of a boat on the water, the Bosphorus shores are home to some of the prettiest parts of the city. Both sides of the strait are dotted with palaces, fortresses, and waterfront neighborhoods lined with old wooden summer homes, called yal?s (waterside mansions), which were built for the city's wealthier residents in the Ottoman era. As you cruise up the Bosphorus, you’ll have the chance to disembark at some of these waterside enclaves for a stroll.