Ortaköy, once literally “the village in the middle” (orta + köy) of the European Bosphorus shore, is a popular touristic sight and a vibrant nightlife center of Istanbul with its variety of atmospheric cafés, bars, pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, shops, boutiques, and souvenir shops. Mostly, tourists and locals alike come here to enjoy the lovely view or the fabulous photo opportunities with the Bosphorus Bridge so nearby. But besides the cobblestoned coastline with its street markets and famous historical places such as the Ortaköy Mosque, Çırağan Palace and the Esma Hatun Seaside Mansion, the charming neighborhood of Ortaköy has much more to offer. It´s definitely worth spending an afternoon strolling around afar from the coastal Ortaköy Square and to discover the surrounding streets. On weekends, the traffic along the Bosphorus shore road can be extremely heavy and slow, so midday on weekdays is the best time to visit.
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