Couples in love will find magical locations for photo shoots, walks, romantic breakfasts and dinners. These are observation decks, restaurants in ancient towers, parks with thousands of tulips, soulful promenades.
I will tell you about the most beautiful and romantic locations of the former capital of the Ottoman Empire.
Maiden Tower (Kız Kulesi)
The best place for dates and romantic dinner is located on an island in the Bosphorus Strait. Maiden Tower is a source of inspiration for artists, poets, musicians for centuries. Aivazovsky painted «View of the Leander Tower in Constantinople» (1848) under the impression of his trip to Istanbul.
The locals believe that the marriage union made in the tower is sanctified by the sky and will be happy, so every girl in Turkey dreams of getting married on the island.
The history of the tower has no exact dates of creation. What is known is that it is a witness to all the events of the great city. It has been used as a tax collection house, a defense tower, a quarantine area and hospital, a radio station and a lighthouse.
Local guides love to tell legends. The most interesting one is the story of a Byzantine emperor, who had his daughter’s death predicted by a clairvoyant at the age of 18. The caring father could not allow the tragedy, built an impregnable tower in the sea and sent his daughter there, surrounding her with love and gifts. The girl grew up, and the father began to forget about the terrible prophecy. On the day of the princess’s eighteenth birthday, he brought a basket of exotic fruits. A poisonous snake, which lurked among the ripe fruits, bit the girl. The emperor was unable to save his daughter, and since then the tower has been a reminder that one cannot escape fate.
Now open to the public, the attraction has three levels with a museum, a restaurant and a viewing balcony at the top. The menu in the restaurant is Turkish and European cuisine. The traditional breakfast is served until 13:00. Live music is played in the restaurant in the evening, except on Mondays.
- How to get there: by boat from Salacak pier.
- Adult ticket is 30 ₺; children’s ticket is 15 ₺. The price includes a boat ride and a visit to the tower.
- Boating hours: weekdays from 09:00 to 19:00, weekends from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Table reservations on the Kizkulesi website
Waterfront in Üsküdar (Üsküdar Harem Sahil Yolu)
The beautiful promenade stretches from Usküdar Marina to the Maiden Tower. It overlooks the Maiden Tower (Kız Kulesi) and the Bosphorus Strait (İstanbul Boğazi). The steps of the promenade are covered with dozens of cushions, a makeshift open-air cafe: colorful bagel-simit vendors and Turkish tea in national cups relax and create a romantic mood.
This is where locals and tourists gather for a break amidst the bustling, busy days in Istanbul. The promenade is especially magical in the evening.
We met many fishermen along the way, stopped to feed the seagulls and take hundreds of photos. And the kind vendors at the cafe treated us to tea. A great authentic place that is full of special atmosphere.
- How to get there: by ferry from the European part of the city or by Marmaray train.
- Open 24 hours a day
Sapphire skyscraper observation deck
Istanbul’s tallest skyscraper with a shopping center, offices and residential apartments is located in the business district of Levent. At a height of 236 meters (55th floor), there is a glassed-in observation deck with a view of Istanbul. It is breathtaking to look at the city from the highest point, higher than birds fly.
On the observation floor there is a souvenir store, a cafe and an attraction — a helicopter flight simulator Skyride 4D Istanbul.
The entrance to the observation deck is from the shopping center, and there is a ticket office on its top floor. Visitors are taken up by a high-speed elevator, but pregnant women and people with intervertebral hernia are not allowed to ride it.
- How to get there: by metro to 4.Levent station.
- Opening hours: from 10:00 to 22:00.
- Ticket price: for the observation deck for adults — 38 ₺, for students — 32 ₺; complex with the attraction for adults — 55 ₺, for students — 45 ₺.
- Sapphire's official website
Ferry ride
Ferry is Istanbul’s most romantic mode of transportation. The city’s water transportation includes high-speed sea buses, ferries and vaporettes (low-speed boats).
The ferry offers easy access to Asian neighborhoods, other cities and the Principia Islands. Ferries run from 06:30 to 22:00, and there are night trips between the European and Asian sides of the city.
Istanbulites love to take a ride through the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, drink strong tea on the deck with a gorgeous view of the city’s neighborhoods, feed the seagulls with simit or admire the lights of Istanbul during night voyages.
It’s windy, but the most beautiful is on the top deck, where the Turkish flag develops and where you can watch hundreds of seagulls chasing the ferries.
A ticket costs from 3.7 ₺ on the Istanbulkarta within Istanbul. For traveling to another city, you need to buy a separate ticket. You can do it online on İDO's website.
You can book a tour of the Bosphorus:
- State Long Tour on the Bosphorus to the Black Sea round trip — 25 ₺.
- Evening Bosphorus cruise with dinner and Turkish folk dancing — 205 ₺.
- Individual excursion for 1—2 people by boat to Maiden Tower with a Russian-speaking guide — 800 ₺.
Prince’s Islands (Kızıl Adalar) or Adalars
The islands in the Sea of Marmara are a favorite destination for locals. You can picnic, relax on the beach and swim in the sea, or take a ride on a traditional cabriolet.
The Adalars consist of nine islands 20 km away from the bustling metropolis. Four are open to the public: Burgaz, Büyükada, Heibeliada, Kynalyada.
In ancient times, unwanted guests of the nobility and illegitimate children were exiled to the islands. Nowadays, it’s a great option for a day trip for the soul.
There is no automobile traffic on the islands. Phaetons — horse-drawn carriages — are used as public transportation. There are bicycle rentals and maps with developed routes.
- There is a fee to enter the picnic areas: it costs 6 ₺.
- How to get there: by ferry from the city docks.
- Ticket: 5.2 ₺ per person one way.
Pierre Loti Tepesi Lookout and Café (Pierre Loti Tepesi)
The 53-meter-high hill and cafe are located in the historic district of Eyüp. The observation deck offers incredible views of the Golden Horn and the surrounding area. The cafe is located above a cemetery, but no one is embarrassed — it’s a favorite date spot for Turkish couples. Small tables are set up in the shade of the trees, drinking strong tea and Turkish coffee. Try to get a front row seat — that way you’ll see the best panorama.
The hill is named after a French poet who was in love with Istanbul and lived in this holy Muslim neighborhood.
- How to get there: by Teleferik cable car.
- Working hours of the cable car: from 08:00 to 22:00.
- Ticket price: 3.5 ₺, payable with an Istanbulcard. Due to congestion and the small capacity of the booths, there are always queues.
- Pierrelotitepesi Official Website
Restaurant at the top of Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)
The structure was built in the 5th century but was rebuilt after earthquakes. It was from this tower in 1632 that engineer Hezafren Ahmet Çelebi jumped and flew on invented homemade wings across the Bosphorus Strait, landing successfully on the Asian part of the city. Therefore, the tower is considered the starting point for one of the first flights. In ancient times, the tower looked like a wooden lighthouse and only became a stone one in 1937.
The tower is 69.9 meters high and houses a restaurant and observation room. It is popular with tourists, so there is usually a long line to get in. However, the observation tower offers great photos, and the restaurant serves delicious desserts. Try the traditional pie with caramel Trileche sauce.
- How to get there: Walk from Eminonu or Taksim Meydani to Beyoglu. There is no direct transportation to the tower.
- Opening hours: the observation deck is open from 08:00 to 20:00, the restaurant — until 24:00.
- Ticket price: 35 ₺.
- Galatatower official website
Ihlamur Park (Ihlamur Kasrı)
The former summer residence of the sultans attracts visitors with its architecture, beautifully manicured park and blooming magnolias in early spring. Peacocks walk freely on the grounds and ducks swim in the pond. There is a café where you can have a delicious breakfast and enjoy the scenery.
- How to get there: by bus to Beşiktaş district.
- Entrance to the park costs 5 ₺, with a visit to the palace costing 20₺.
- Opening hours are 09:00 to 16:30, except Mondays.
Emirgan Park (Emirgan Korusu)
This park is the best place for a romantic outdoor vacation in Istanbul.
In the XII century, the sultan gave a plot of land on the banks of the Bosphorus to the Iranian khan Emirhan, after whom the park was later named. In ancient times, a cypress forest grew there.
Now the park serves for recreation and walks of citizens. There are 120 species of flowers, trees and shrubs, cafes, stores, playgrounds, picnic areas, jogging paths, and a pond with swans and turtles. The park is located on a hill and offers spectacular views of the Bosphorus from its vantage points.
The Istanbul Lale Festivali (Tulip Festival) is held in spring in April and is attended by thousands of travelers from different countries. Tulips create amazing compositions. The colorful blooming lasts for several months: some buds bloom and others blossom.
- How to get there: by bus 22, 22RE, 25E from Kabatas Marina, by bus 40, 40T and 42T from Taksim Square.
- Opening hours: c 07:00 to 22:00.
- Admission is free.
