Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source 8 places to visit in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul: Dolmabahçe Palace, Yıldız Palace and Ortaköy Square and Büyük Mecidiye Mosque. Plan your trip to Beşiktaş with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Beşiktaş is one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Istanbul, on the European shore of the Bosphorus. The district covers 18 km² and lies on the slopes along the Bosphorus.
In the Ottoman period, Beşiktaş was an important area used as a harbour by the fleet of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha. In 1930 it separated from Beyoğlu and gained district status.
Beşiktaş has been home to important Ottoman palaces, including Dolmabahçe Palace, Yıldız Palace and Çırağan Palace.
Beşiktaş was an Ottoman administrative centre with the Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Yıldız palaces. Beşiktaş became a district in 1930 after separating from Beyoğlu. It is said that the name Beşiktaş comes from five poles set up along the shore. Atatürk and his mother Zübeyde Hanım lived in a house in Akaretler.
Last updated:
Photo: User:Darwinek (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source The palace complex where Sultan Abdülhamid II lived and governed the state for 33 years, set within a park of 500,000 m². The Çadır Pavilion, the Malta Pavilion and the Yıldız Porcelain Factory can be visited.
View on mapA complex by Mimar Sinan consisting of a mosque, a madrasa, a school and a double hammam.
View on mapOrtaköy Mosque on the Bosphorus shore, built in Neo-Baroque style in 1856. Together with the Bosphorus Bridge rising behind it, it forms one of Istanbul's most photographed views.
View on mapOpened in 1973, the bridge connects Europe and Asia and can best be viewed from the Beşiktaş shore. Its night lighting adds a separate beauty to the view of the Bosphorus.
View on map
Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source While you are in Beşiktaş, you can also see the highlights of Istanbul province. These places are in other districts.
Kumpir, the symbol of Ortaköy Square, is prepared by filling a giant potato with butter, kaşar cheese and dozens of different ingredients. Eating it with a view of the Bosphorus is a separate pleasure.
Beşiktaş's historic fish market has fresh seafood and fish restaurants. The market becomes especially busy in the anchovy, bluefish and bonito seasons.
Waffle stalls in Ortaköy Square offer waffles decorated with chocolate, fruit and ice cream, one of Istanbul's most popular street treats.
Beşiktaş, with its waterside mansions on the Bosphorus, seaside cafés and ferry pier, is one of the districts where Istanbul's maritime culture is most intensely lived.
The Dolmabahçe and Yıldız palaces are the most important buildings reflecting the late Ottoman way of life and the process of Westernisation in the Ottoman Empire.
Beşiktaş is one of Istanbul's most prestigious business and living centres. The Levent and Etiler office towers, universities (Boğaziçi, Galatasaray) and tourism are the main economic activities.
Beşiktaş is connected to every part of Istanbul by ferry, bus, dolmuş and metro lines. Ferry services between Beşiktaş and Kadıköy and between Beşiktaş and Üsküdar are heavily used.
The highlights of Beşiktaş are 8 places: Dolmabahçe Palace, Yıldız Palace, Ortaköy Square and Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, Yıldız Park and Yıldız Palace, the view of the Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs' Bridge), Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque, Sinan Pasha Complex and Yıldız Park.
Ortaköy Kumpiri (stuffed baked potato), Beşiktaş Fish Market and Ortaköy Waffle are the standout dishes on Beşiktaş tables.
Beşiktaş is known for its Yıldız Porcelain Factory Products and Bosphorus Culture. Founded in 1895 by Sultan Abdülhamid II, the Yıldız Porcelain Factory produces hand-painted porcelain plates, vases and cups.
Beşiktaş is connected to every part of Istanbul by ferry, bus, dolmuş and metro lines. Ferry services between Beşiktaş and Kadıköy and between Beşiktaş and Üsküdar are heavily used.
Suggested visit length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn (April-June, September-November).