A morning in Ortakoy perfectly blends tourist and local pursuits. Recently renovated, the pearly white Ortakoy mosque gleams radiant in the light bouncing off the Bosphorus waters. Ships passing by leave a wide wake. The waves pick up speed until they crash against the dock, splashing anyone standing too close to the edge.
The nearby row of food stands sells kumpir, which are hot baked potatoes stuffed with toppings like butter, cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, olives, sausage, and corn, and waffles with toppings like sugared red and green dyed cherries, nutella, hazel nut spread, chocolate sauce, and fresh bananas and strawberries.
A more local option is to walk a bit into Ortakoy for kahvalti, a Turkish breakfast. Cross and take a left at the main street. Then, take a right at Osmanzade street, where you can also buy and top up Istanbul metro cards, and a left at Eski Bahce street, which has a corner shop that sells helva, a sesame seed paste dessert. Especially popular with local Turkish students, the friendly staff at Muessese at 11 Eski Bahce street serve delicious breakfasts, including salty cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, eggs, crepes, tea, and coffee.
Next, grab some fresh air and burn off the calories from breakfast with a walk from Ortakoy to Yildiz Park. Return to the main road and take a right at Ciragan avenue. Take a look at what is playing at the Ortakoy Feriye Cinema. Pass the Kabatas boy’s highschool and Galatasaray university. When you reach the Ciragan Palace, feel welcome to enter the hotel, walk barefoot on the grass lawns, and watch the boats pass by on the Bosphorus.
After enjoying the seaside view, try a short hike on trails among the trees and flowers at Yildiz Park, located just across the street from the hotel. Walk uphill past the police stations and through the gates. There is no entrance fee for pedestrians. The hillsides bloom with tulips in spring. Many young engaged couples take their wedding photographs at the bridge. Keep a look out for the green parrots squawking in the treetops and the ownerless dogs curling up in mounds of dirt. Maybe one day you can return with friends for a picnic.
**This article was originally published on April 6, 2015, at http://turkishvisafees.com/ortakoy-istanbul/
The nearby row of food stands sells kumpir, which are hot baked potatoes stuffed with toppings like butter, cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, olives, sausage, and corn, and waffles with toppings like sugared red and green dyed cherries, nutella, hazel nut spread, chocolate sauce, and fresh bananas and strawberries.
A more local option is to walk a bit into Ortakoy for kahvalti, a Turkish breakfast. Cross and take a left at the main street. Then, take a right at Osmanzade street, where you can also buy and top up Istanbul metro cards, and a left at Eski Bahce street, which has a corner shop that sells helva, a sesame seed paste dessert. Especially popular with local Turkish students, the friendly staff at Muessese at 11 Eski Bahce street serve delicious breakfasts, including salty cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, eggs, crepes, tea, and coffee.
Next, grab some fresh air and burn off the calories from breakfast with a walk from Ortakoy to Yildiz Park. Return to the main road and take a right at Ciragan avenue. Take a look at what is playing at the Ortakoy Feriye Cinema. Pass the Kabatas boy’s highschool and Galatasaray university. When you reach the Ciragan Palace, feel welcome to enter the hotel, walk barefoot on the grass lawns, and watch the boats pass by on the Bosphorus.
After enjoying the seaside view, try a short hike on trails among the trees and flowers at Yildiz Park, located just across the street from the hotel. Walk uphill past the police stations and through the gates. There is no entrance fee for pedestrians. The hillsides bloom with tulips in spring. Many young engaged couples take their wedding photographs at the bridge. Keep a look out for the green parrots squawking in the treetops and the ownerless dogs curling up in mounds of dirt. Maybe one day you can return with friends for a picnic.
**This article was originally published on April 6, 2015, at http://turkishvisafees.com/ortakoy-istanbul/