The Blissful Place of İstanbul

The Golden Horn, which forms an inlet of the mighty Bosphorus, is one of İstanbul’s most important waterways. Named after its characteristic horn-shaped course, the vast body of water has a long-standing history. It was once an important port where the trading fleets of the Ottoman and Eastern Roman Empires were anchored.

The poets of antiquity praised this bay for its ethereal beauty, characterised by fragrant tulip gardens and mild surroundings. Flanked by the mighty Sea of Marmara and the historic peninsula, the Golden Horn has been the scene of many wars, battles and conquests. With the Old City at its tip, this body of water is home to many historical monuments, including the legendary Galata Tower, the venerable Old Galata Bridge and the glowing Süleymaniye Mosque, to name a few. The Golden Horn, with its sweeping views of the coast, the subject of countless works of art, is undoubtedly a moving hub of the city’s historical, cultural and political life.

From any part of the city, one can witness the sunset in all its beauty and end the day from both continents and two different seas. But nothing compares to the great pleasure of watching the sunset over both the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The glistening resplendent sun dances on the tranquil water of the Golden Horn, as bright as ever before, and one step closer to what the poets once described as “Sadabâd” or “The place of bliss”.

İstanbul’s historical importance over many centuries is partly due to the Golden Horn’s natural protective harbour at the strait of the Bosphorus. Its military and economic benefits enabled empires to thrive. Today, the vibrant neighbourhoods along the Golden Horn attract visitors with their many museums, churches, synagogues, mosques, and other attractions.

At its centre, a walk through İstanbul’s Fener and Balat neighbourhoods will take you past children playing next to historical landmarks, under clotheslines strung between buildings and into a microcosm of cosmopolitan İstanbul.

A little further in from the water of the Golden Horn, Fener and Balat have been home to Orthodox Christian and Jewish communities for centuries, and it’s worth taking time to find out what makes these quarters a true İstanbul experience.

Today, past and present blend in the colourful, labyrinthine streets, where cafés and third-generation designer boutiques sit alongside traditional tea gardens and craft shops. Balat and Fener are full of idiosyncratic eskici dükkanları (second-hand shops) and antikacı (antique dealers) – some dusty, others extravagant – where you can lose yourself in nostalgia. Some cafes enjoy a fabulous little turn as an informal and chaotic antique auction. As auctioneers call out to the bidding crowd, which spills out into the street, soaking up curious passers-by.

Island Getaways Of A Bygone Era

The stunning archipelago of Princes’ Islands off the coast of İstanbul in the Sea of Marmara is the perfect getaway for residents of one of the world’s busiest cities, İstanbul. Just a short ferry ride from the European and Anatolian shores of the historic city, the islands offer a rare glimpse of a multicultural society in modern Türkiye and are strongly reminiscent of life in the days of the Ottoman Empire.

Also known as İstanbul Islands or Kızıl Adalar, which means “Red Islands”, is one of the most popular day trip destinations from İstanbul, especially during the summer. Büyükada, Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada are regularly served by ferries from the European and Anatolian coasts of the city. The islands are a wonderful retreat for locals and visitors alike, each with its own character and rhythm of life they will inevitably hold and charm you.

The cluster of nine islands, four larger and five smaller, is completely closed to modern traffic, preserving the beauty and tranquillity of the environment and giving the destinations even more of a bygone era feel. The new electric buses that act as a taxi service offering sightseeing tours are a great way to zip around the main islands. Otherwise, these picturesque spots can be explored on foot or by bike for the more carefree adventurers. Filled with culture, history, and incredible views and rich in their heritage, the islands were home to many of Türkiye’s significant ethnic minorities. Today, they have long attracted Turkish residents and international visitors.

All over the archipelago, monasteries, churches, and mansions give a historical insight into the life of its residents, and the architecture of different eras has been beautifully preserved. And with the different cultures over the years, they have made the islands an incredibly interesting place to explore.

In the nineteenth century, the islands became a popular resort for İstanbul’s wealthy, and Victorian-styled-era cottages and mansions are still as colourful as ever on the largest island Büyükada.

For a fabulous family day out, or a chance to just relax and worship the sun and bathe for the day, the Prince’s Islands off the coast of İstanbul in the Sea of Marmara is by far the best place to visit.

Easily visible from the mainland on a clear day, the islands are among the most popular day trips for locals and visitors to the city. The four main islands of Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada all have beaches – a mix of sandy beaches, rocky stretches of coastline and wooden or concrete bathing platforms built above the water – and some have several private and public beach clubs.

As you move away from the ferry docks, you’ll find more tranquillity and better bathing water on the sides and backs of the islands. Burgazada and Kınalıada have some particularly nice spots. A smaller island, Sedef, is harder to reach by ferry, but its beach clubs are served by boat from Büyükada.