The Bosphorus (Istanbul Boğazı) is a strait in Istanbul and its surroundings, which is an intercontinental strait dividing Europe and Asia, as well as connecting the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea.
The length of the Bosphorus Strait is about 30 kilometers; its maximum width is approximately 3700 meters, and the minimum is 600 meters.
The Bosphorus is one of the main attractions of Istanbul and its "breath", filled with the cry of seagulls, the noise of waves, pleasure boats, and attractive buildings are located on both sides of the Bosphorus.
The Bosphorus is crossed by three bridges: the Martyrs' Bridge on July 15 or the Bosphorus Bridge, the Sultan Mahmed Fatih Bridge and the Sultan Selim Yazuv Bridge. Underwater railway and road tunnels run under the Bosphorus near the waters of the Sea of Marmara.
Bridges connect the European and Asian parts.
You can enjoy the views of the Bosphorus Bridges and the Bosphorus Strait: from the coast of the Jewish and Asian parts of Istanbul, from some observation points and viewing platforms in Istanbul, as well as by taking a boat trip along the Bosphorus. You can walk through the waters of the Bosphorus in Istanbul with excursions or independently on public ferries that run from / to the ferry berths of the city, located both on the sides of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Istanbul ferries are public transport (Istanbul transport cards are valid).
The Martyrs' Bridge on July 15 (15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü), formerly known as the Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaziçi Köprüsü) is the most famous of the bridges across the Bosphorus, which is located closest to the historical center of Istanbul.
It was the first bridge across the Bosphorus Strait. The laying of the bridge was carried out on February 20, 1970, and the opening of the bridge took place on October 29, 1973, on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Then the bridge was called the "Bosphorus Bridge".
After the attempted military coup on July 15, 2016, the official name of the bridge was changed to "Martyrs' Bridge on July 15".
This is a suspension bridge that has three spans: 2 coastal and 1 central navigable. The length of the bridge is 1560 meters, and its width is 33 meters. The height of the bridge supports is 165 meters above the water.
The bridge is an automobile bridge.
Coordinates of the Martyrs' Bridge on July 15: 41°02'51.0"N 29°01'56.0"E (41.047500, 29.032222).
The bridge is perfectly visible from the embankments of the Bosphorus, from the parks on the Asian side of Istanbul and from the terrace near the waters of the Bosphorus of the Beylerbeyi Sarayı Palace.
The Sultan Mahmad Fatih Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü) is the second suspension bridge across the Bosphorus Strait, located in Istanbul.
The bridge was built in 1985-1988. The bridge was opened on May 29, 1988, on the 535th anniversary of the conquest of the city. The bridge was named in honor of Sultan Mehmed II Fatih (the Conqueror).
The length of the bridge is 1510 meters, and its width is 39 meters. The height of the bridge supports is 165 meters above the water; from the roadway to the water surface - 64 meters.
This is a transport bridge, the passage of which is paid for cars.
Coordinates of the Sultan Mahmed Fatih Bridge: 41°05'29.0"N 29°03'41.0"E (41.091389, 29.061389).
The panorama of Sultan Mahmed Fatih Bridge is clearly visible from the territory of Rumeli Hisarı Fortress on the European side of Istanbul and from Otagtepe Fatih Park, located on the Asian side of the city.
The Sultan Selim Yazuv Bridge or the Sultan Selim the Terrible Bridge (Yavuz Sultan Selim Köprüsü) is the third bridge across the Bosphorus Strait, located north of Istanbul (closer to the Black Sea).
The bridge was built in 2013 - 2016 and opened on August 26, 2016.
The bridge was named after the Ottoman Sultan Selim I Yavuz the Terrible.
A feature of the bridge is a combined structure in which part of the canvas is supported by shrouds, and the other part is supported by shrouds and cables, where the middle of the main span is suspended on cables.
This bridge is the widest suspension bridge in the world - 4 lanes of traffic in each direction (8 lanes in total) and two railway tracks. The height of the bridge pylons at 322 meters is also a record.
Coordinates of the Sultan Selim Yazuv Bridge: 41°12'10.0"N 29°06'42.0"E (41.202778, 29.111667).
Underwater bridges pass under the waters of the Bosphorus, which are located in Istanbul at the place where the waters of the Bosphorus enter the Sea of Marmara.
Another way to enjoy the views of the Bosphorus Strait with the Bosphorus Bridges in Istanbul are hotels that are located near the waters of the strait and from which views of the Bosphorus open.
From the accommodation facilities
Shangri-La Bosphorus 5-star Hotel, Istanbul with indoor pool, spa, restaurants, lobby lounge, free Wi-Fi and parking.
The hotel has rooms and suites with views of the Bosphorus, the city or the courtyard.
Breakfast may be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel 
The 5-star Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus is located in a restored 19th-century Ottoman mansion by the waters of the Bosphorus Strait.
The hotel has its own garden, views of the Bosphorus, panoramic outdoor and indoor pools, bar, spa, free Wi-Fi and private parking. Link to the hotel
The 5-star Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Hotel is located in the renovated Ottoman Chiragan Palace.
The hotel is a complex by the waters of the Bosphorus with a territory with a garden and a panoramic pool overlooking the waters of the Bosphorus.
At the hotel: swimming pools, spa and wellness center, fitness center, restaurant, bar, lounge, gazebo, Turkish bath, free private parking and Wi-Fi.
Luxury bed linen is provided in the hotel rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. All rooms have a balcony with views of the garden or the Bosphorus.
The room rate includes: breakfast or breakfast + dinner. Link to the hotel
The 5-star Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul features a garden, a swimming pool with a sun terrace, a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center, a children's playground, a 24-hour front desk and Wi-Fi.
The hotel has family rooms and rooms with views of the Bosphorus.
Breakfast may be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The Bosphorus Palace Hotel is located in a renovated historical building in neo-Ottoman style, in a picturesque area of the Asian part of Istanbul.
At the hotel: bar, garden, free Wi-Fi and parking.
The hotel rooms offer views of the Bosphorus or the gardens.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Villa Luxurious Waterfront Mansion with Amazing Bosphorus View overlooking the Bosphorus, garden, terrace, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, cable TV, fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and refrigerator, washing machine and 3 bathrooms with a spa bath. Villa link
Sumahan - on the Water Hotel, located in a renovated distillery building 19th century right on the shore of the Bosphorus.
At the hotel: a terrace with a view of the Bosphorus, a restaurant, a wellness center with a Turkish hammam and a fitness room, free parking.
Many rooms have a Turkish-style bathroom with marble trim. Meeting and banquet facilities with views of the Bosphorus are also available. Link to the hotel
You can get to hotels in Istanbul by public transport, taxi or rented car.
Rent a car in Istanbul (all places) →
All accommodation facilities in Istanbul, including near and overlooking the Bosphorus, in the historical center, on the European and Asian sides of the city, can be viewed and booked here
