Ortakoy Mosque Tickets & Audio Guide Tour
A former fishing village on the Bosphorus, now one of the most photographed spots in the city — the small baroque mosque sits right on the water with the bridge to Asia rising directly behind it.
- At the gate
- £6.80
- Allow
- 1h 30m
- District
- Ortakoy
- Closed
- Open daily
Ortaku00f6y, in short
A former fishing village on the Bosphorus, now one of the most photographed spots in the city u2014 the small baroque mosque sits right on the water with the bridge to Asia rising directly behind it.
The square around it is full of cafu00e9s, a weekend craft market, and stalls selling kumpir, the enormous stuffed baked potato that is the local speciality.
What it costs
The mosque and square are free. The guided tour is u20ac8 separately and included on the pass.
Getting there
Take the T1 tram to Kabatau015f, then a short bus or taxi along the shore. It is a pleasant 25-minute walk from Beu015fiktau015f along the water.
How long to allow
An hour, or an afternoon if you eat and browse the market. It is at its best in late afternoon when the light comes down the strait.
The mosque
Bu00fcyu00fck Mecidiye Camii was built in 1856 for Sultan Abdu00fclmecid by the Balyan family, the Armenian architects behind Dolmabahu00e7e. It is small, ornate and unusually bright inside, with tall windows on the water side that fill it with reflected light.
What to eat
Kumpir u2014 a baked potato mashed with butter and cheese, then loaded with whatever you point at u2014 and waffles piled with fruit and chocolate. Neither is refined, and both are part of the visit.
Frequently asked questions
- Yes u2014 a craft and jewellery market runs in the streets around the square, busiest at weekends.
- Kumpir, the loaded baked potato, is the local speciality, alongside waffle stalls and a run of waterfront cafu00e9s and restaurants.
- Late afternoon, for the light on the mosque and the bridge, and to stay into the evening.
- T1 tram to Kabatau015f, then a short bus or taxi. It is also a 25-minute walk along the water from Beu015fiktau015f.