Bosphorus in Istanbul (The Best Guide in 2024)
The Bosphorus in Istanbul remains the most critical transportation route today, as it was thousands of years ago. Just one of the most beautiful places on the planet that you have to see with your own eyes.
The Bosphorus in Istanbul connects the two seas part of the Mediterranean basin. The length of the Bosphorus in Istanbul is about 30 km. The maximum width is 3700 m, and the narrowest is the middle part. The width in this place is 700 m, which significantly complicates navigation.
Additionally, the water levels in the two seas are different. Therefore, there are different currents. This contributes to vortex formation and also makes navigation difficult. But the depth of the grass road, between 33 and 80 m, allows even the largest cruise ships to cross the strait. The strait locates in the coastal subtropics, and even in winter, it isn’t frigid here.
Istanbul Bosphorus History
The Bosphorus in Istanbul owes its birth to a universal catastrophe. Scientists claim that the strait’s channel was formed about 8,000 years ago when the Atlantic level rose significantly due to melting glaciers. Ocean waves reached the Sea of Marmara. But the pressure was so intense that the water made its way into the Black Sea, where the water level was much lower at the time.
The Greeks, Persians, and Romans tried to control the Bosphorus. The Ottoman Empire successfully used it to conquer the Black Sea. After the First World War, the Bosphorus came under the control of the League of Nations and became an international territory. However, it returned to Turkey in 1923. Also, foreign ships (both commercial and military) had unrestricted access here. A little later, Turkey received the right to restrict maritime transport.
Ship Tours
Movement speed across the Bosphorus is limited to 10 knots. This allows you to think ideally of the Bosphorus and Istanbul while walking on a ferry, cruise ship, or boat. Magnificent mansions, minarets, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Maiden’s Tower, Beylerbeyi Palace, and dozens of other sights float at a glance on the cruise ship.
Many companies offer tourists short and long Bosphorus tours at sunrise and sunset, accompanied by an entertainment program or a personal guide. There are so many options, and sometimes the most challenging thing here is to choose. Most tourist boats leave from Eminonu Pier, where shipping companies and private carriers’ ticket offices locate. You can reach this pier anywhere in the city via the light rail system on the T-1 line.
When is Bosphorus Strait open?
The Bosphorus Strait is a narrow waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in Istanbul, Turkey, and is an important shipping route for vessels traveling between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Bosphorus in Istanbul is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, there are certain times when the strait may be closed to navigation due to strong currents, storms, or other weather conditions. These closures are typically temporary, and the channel will reopen once conditions improve.
What’s the Best way to see Bosphorus Strait?
The Bosphorus in Istanbul is a beautiful, historic waterway worth visiting if you visit Istanbul. Depending on your interests and time, there are several different ways to view the strait. One of the best ways to see the Bosphorus in Istanbul is to take a boat tour. Several companies offer boat tours on the Bosphorus, which usually take several hours. These tours allow you to see the strait from the water and learn about its history and landmarks. Another way to see the Bosphorus is to take a ferry. Ferries are a popular and affordable way to travel between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, offering great views of the Bosphorus. Finally, you can see the Bosphorus from the shore. Several parks and walking paths along the Bosphorus provide beautiful vistas and are popular destinations for locals and tourists alike.
