Rumeli Castle on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey

A day trip to Anadolu Kavagi on a ferry is a great way to explore Bosphorus

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey is a great city that spans two continents Europe and Asia. Istanbul is very popular with tourists from around the world because of its historic past. There are many famous landmarks in this city, some from Roman and Byzantine times, some from the Ottoman period. If you already visited Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and wondered through the gigantic covered market Kapali Carsi, consider taking the Istanbul ferry and exploring Bosphorus.

Full moon over Bosphorus and Istanbul lighthouse
Full moon over Bosphorus and Istanbul lighthouse
Istanbul ferry and Maiden Tower in Bosphorus
Istanbul ferry and Maiden Tower in Bosphorus

Istanbul ferries are near the Golden Horn (Galata) bridge only a short walk down the hill from the Hagia Sophia tourist district.  Taking a ferry is a great way to explore this city and enjoy the sea. A ferry trip will allow you to take a break from the fast pace and noise of the streets, and get some fresh air. The ships run to the Asian side and also the European side of the strait. If you are pressed for time take a short trip to the Asian side to the Uskudar district. This short ferry crossing offers a great view of Istanbul from the water and a closer look at Maiden’s Tower, a famous landmark.

Anadolu Kavagi is as far as you can go by ferry from Istanbul in Bosphorus. This is a small fishing village that is very close to the Black Sea. The return trip will take approximately 5 hours. There are fishermen selling their catch of the day near the wharf and several seafood restaurants always cook something delicious. Bosphorus always was and continues to be very strategic straight and village Anadolu Kavagi always had a very important location. The ruins of the ancient Byzantine castle testify to that.

Byzantine symbol at Yoros Castle
Byzantine symbol at Yoros Castle
Old stone fortifications and second bridge across Bosphorus
Old stone fortifications and second bridge across Bosphorus

Yoros Fortress is perched on top of the cliffs facing the Black Sea and defends entrances to Bosphorus. To get to the ruins you have to follow the streets up the hill and try to keep to the left. The walk is a bit of a climb but the ruins are not far. There is a small park nearby where you can spend some time enjoying the views. Make sure to ask for the departure time for your trip back, it is easy to forget about time here.

Ferry day trip along Bosphorus shore is very relaxing and scenic. The vistas are magnificent. The nice part about that trip is that the ferry will follow the Asian shore on the way to Anadolu Kavagi and the European shore on the way back. That means that you can get to see both sides. The ferry will pass under two very large suspension bridges. There will be a large fortress on the European side called Rumeli Hisari just before the second bridge.

Yoros castle stone towers and ancient Byzantine symbol
Yoros castle stone towers and ancient Byzantine symbol
View from Yoros Castle at Bosphorus exit to the Black Sea
View from Yoros Castle at Bosphorus exit to the Black Sea

If you like being on the water and have a spare day in Istanbul take a day trip to Anadolu Kavagi.

Ancient masonry walls of Byzantine fortress
Ancient masonry walls of Byzantine fortress
Ships waiting to enter the strait
Ships waiting to enter the strait
Residential development on the strait
Residential development on the strait
Beautiful houses line the shores
Beautiful houses line the shores

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Under the Bosphorus bridge
Under the Bosphorus bridge
Container ship sailing in Bosphorus
Container ship sailing in Bosphorus
Official Presidential ship motor yacht Savorona, built in 1931
Official Presidential ship motor yacht Savorona, built in 1931
Villas on the Asian side of the strait
Villas on the Asian side of the strait
Scenic seascape at Anadolu Kavagi, Turkey
Scenic seascape at Anadolu Kavagi, Turkey
Panoramic view of the Sultan Mehmet bridge and Rumeli Hisari
Panoramic view of the Sultan Mehmet bridge and Rumeli Hisari
Grand Imperial Mosque, built 1856 near the first bridge
Grand Imperial Mosque, built 1856 near the first bridge
First Bosphorus suspension bridge and beautiful skies
First Bosphorus suspension bridge and beautiful skies
Fishing boat, ferry and a container-ship at Bosporus
Fishing boat, ferry and a container-ship at Bosporus

   17.10.2023  by FPImages

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