The utmost Istanbul thing to do in Istanbul

Sailing Through Istanbul's Soul: A Deep Dive into the Enchantment of Ferry Rides

Within the rich tapestry of Istanbul's cultural marvels, there exists an experience that transcends the fascination of monuments, museums, and guided tours. More captivating than any other activity, taking a ferry isn't just about crossing the Bosporus; it's a transformative journey that enables visitors to forge a profound connection with the very essence of Istanbul. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the mesmerizing impact of ferry rides on understanding and falling head over heels for this enchanting city.

Istanbul's Living Metaphor: The Bosporus Strait, cutting through Istanbul, serves as a living metaphor for the city itself. Istanbul, the successor to Constantinople, emerged from the banks of the Bosporus to become the seat of empires – Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. This historical resonance makes Istanbul the only city to have hosted consecutive Christian and Islamic empires, establishing itself as an unprecedented bridge between East and West.

Historical Crossings with Ferries: While numerous Ottoman sultans entertained the idea of a physical bridge spanning the Bosporus, it was the humble boats and later ferries that played a pivotal role in connecting the city. The first bridge linking the two continents wasn't erected until 1973. Meanwhile, ferries crisscrossed the strait, weaving a maritime tapestry that linked diverse Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Arab, Bulgarian, Jewish, and Russian communities.

Istanbul's Sprawling Diversity: Today, Istanbul sprawls as a 15.5-million-person megalopolis, the largest in Europe. Nestled amidst a network of waterways, the city adorns seven hills with a kaleidoscope of wonders – Byzantine palaces, Ottoman mosques in hues of melon, Armenian-inspired opera houses, Anglican churches, and futuristic metallic art museums. Within its cobblestone alleys, a dance unfolds where wooden carts coexist with hipsters and tourists reveling in the vibrancy of nightclubs and pubs until the early morning. Here, the past, present, Europe, and Asia converge into a harmonious blend.

Sailing Through Istanbul: Discovering Europe's Largest City from the Water

The Water's Perspective: Istanbul's sheer size and unique location dictate that it's best beheld from the water. Only from the upper deck of the city's many public ferries can one grasp its vastness and truly appreciate the convergence of cultures that define it. Istanbul's historic sites, like the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Hagia Sofia mosque, and the Topkapi Palace, come alive when framed against the backdrop of sweeping vistas provided by a ferry ride. It is an immersive experience that intertwines the layered past with the dynamic present.

Icons Through the Ferry Window: Historically, visitors approaching Istanbul from the water have had the privilege of witnessing iconic sites as they were originally seen. Views of the Turkish Rococo-style Dolmabahce Palace, the ancient Maiden's Tower dating back almost 2,400 years, and the splendid Haydarpaşa railway station unfold in a timeless panorama from the ferry's deck.

Cultural Influence of Ferries: Istanbul's ferries have been instrumental in shaping the city's unique culture and development. The introduction of public ferries in 1844 became a lifeline as Istanbul's population surged in the mid-19th century. Commuters along the Bosporus Strait, the Marmara Sea inlet, and the Golden Horn estuary found seamless connectivity. Fast forward to the 1970s, and ferries played a vital role as central and eastern Anatolian residents migrated to Istanbul, bringing with them diverse languages and food customs.

Cross-Continental Symphony: Tourists embarking on the ferry from the Asian pier of Kadiköy to the European edge of Karaköy find themselves amidst a living symphony of cultures. Flanked by the renowned Galata Tower and bridge, the ride unveils Istanbul as one of the world's most incredible cultural melting pots. Onboard, the auditory tapestry is woven with Greek, Armenian, and languages from across the Caucasus. Musicians, with their darbuka drums and lute-like elektrobağlama, bring the cultural roots of Istanbul to the forefront, creating a unique experience that transcends mere transportation.

Venturing to Hidden Corners: Ferries not only serve as a means to traverse well-known routes but also act as magic carpets whisking travelers to hard-to-reach neighborhoods. Take the picturesque seaside village of Kanlica, for example, a haven that might take more than two hours to reach by land from the Historic Peninsula. However, thanks to its own ferry pier, travelers can escape Istanbul's notorious traffic, arriving in just an hour. The allure extends to the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, inaccessible by land, where visitors can rent bicycles, swim, indulge in fried fish, and savor the aniseed-flavored raki, Turkey's national drink, before returning to the city's hustle and bustle.

Ferry Rituals and Rhythms: Over the years, passengers have woven their own tapestry of rituals and rhythms aboard the city's ferryboats. Morning rides offer glimpses of commuters grabbing a sesame simit bagel or a poagaca pastry, sharing not just breakfast but also gilt-rimmed glasses of tea and newspapers with strangers. Adil Bali, a local journalist, aptly describes ferries as the symbolic carriers of Istanbul's essence – carrying not just passengers but also

the culture, traditions, and habits of the society. The ferry dock becomes a stage for street musicians, where passengers lean on the railings, sip tea, read newspapers, and witness the dynamic painting of Istanbul as seagulls dance in the skies. Istanbul's public ferries ferry approximately 40 million passengers annually, solidifying the Bosporus as one of the busiest waterways globally. Amidst the mosques and minarets lining the shores, passengers may encounter pods of dolphins, shearwater birds, and the iconic seagulls. So integral are these seagulls to the ferry experience that Sehir Hatlari, the ferry's operating company, adopted their black, white, and yellow-beaked colors for its logo.

Local Customs and Interactions: To truly immerse in the local custom of a ferry trip, it is recommended to buy at least two simits before boarding – one for oneself and another for the seagulls. Watching these masterful Bosporus seagulls catch little simit pieces in the air becomes a delightful interaction, connecting passengers with the natural charm of the journey. Local tour guide Aysegul Elif Sofuoğlu emphasizes this as a must-do experience, encapsulating the essence of Istanbul's harmonious coexistence with its surroundings.

The Human Kaleidoscope: Beyond being a vessel for transportation, Istanbul's ferries provide an unparalleled opportunity for people watching. The diverse cast of characters that call Istanbul home comes to life on these vessels – well-heeled businessmen in suits, Anatolian hawkers peddling trinkets to Iranian tourists, elderly Turkish women in pearls sharing cookies with their compatriots in headscarves, and a myriad of others. Despite societal shifts and divisions, Yörük Işık highlights that the love for ferries remains a binding theme for the city's residents, a common thread weaving through the cultural, ideological, and religious tapestry of Istanbul.

A Meditative Escape: In a city where the cacophony of street vendors, blaring oil tankers, and the amplified calls of five daily prayers create a constant symphony, ferries offer a meditative escape. Hikmet Şırlak, a carpet and kilim seller, attests to riding the ferry to feel the cool breeze and savor the scent of the salty seas. The ferry becomes a vessel not just across physical waters but a transcendence into a quieter realm, allowing passengers to look up and appreciate the shifting hues of sunset amidst the yellows and oranges.

Ferry Transformations: Istanbul's decommissioned ferries don't fade into oblivion; instead, they undergo transformative journeys of their own. Some have been repurposed into cafes, museums, hotels, and wedding halls, breathing new life into their timeworn structures. The historical Haliç shipyard, active since 1455 and the world's oldest, continues to play a pivotal role in preserving and renovating these vessels, underscoring Istanbul's commitment to honoring its maritime heritage.

The Ineffable Magic: More than any monument, museum, or guided tour, taking a ferry emerges as the most quintessential Istanbul experience. Sinem Dedetaş, head of Istanbul's ferry line, attributes this to the boats inspiring poems, paintings, novels, songs, and films for nearly two centuries. The ferry, in essence, becomes a moving canvas, painting the dynamic story of Istanbul for those fortunate enough to embark on its decks. It's not just about transportation; it's about witnessing the city's heartbeat, feeling its pulse, and falling irrevocably in love with its ineffable magic.

Conclusion: In the heart of Istanbul's allure lies a journey – a journey that transcends the physical act of crossing the Bosporus. It's a voyage that encapsulates the spirit of a city, connecting its historical roots with the vibrant tapestry of its present. Istanbul's ferries aren't mere vessels; they are time machines, cultural conduits, and witnesses to the ebb and flow of this mesmerizing metropolis. As Sinem Dedetaş aptly puts it, the best way to discover Istanbul is to hop on a ferry and watch the Bosporus unfold its magic. So, let the rhythmic hum of the engines, the seagulls' symphony, and the changing hues of the horizon be your guide through the living, breathing story of Istanbul – a city that invites you not just to visit but to embark on a love affair that lasts a lifetime.