Istanbul is a city of rooftops as Istanbulites have a fascination with overlooking the Bosphorus that divides as well as unites the city. Turks call the sea of Marmara that runs between the two sides (in fact two continents) of the city Bosphorus. It is this sea itself that makes Istanbul so alluring for its locals as well as its visitors. It is what ‘softens’ the city in spite of its chaos, aggression and challenges. It is this sea that makes Istanbul a magnet for millions of Turks living in other cities who fantasize about living here.
The sea of Marmara Turks call the Bosphorus that divides and unites the city. The Bosphorus bridge connects Asia to Europe
What makes rooftops so attractive for the locals is a complete sense of freedom of opening up to the sky, feeling closer to sea with its sea gulls. Feeling on top of Istanbul leaving its chaos back on the ground. It is like rising above the crowds with its daily hassles. It is completely elevating.
If and when you come to Istanbul, consider visiting some of these rooftops to feel what I mean. Try siping a cup of coffee, savour a cocktail or try something traditionally Turkish like Raki on a roof top after a long, hectic day on the ground with millions trying to make it ‘somewhere’.
One of my most favourites is the rooftop of Four Seasons Hotel in Sultanahmet. It overlooks both the sea of Marmara across which you can see Anatolia on one side and Hagia Sophia on the other. I am fascinated by the sea gulls that whirl in the infinite sky.
Rooftop of Four Seasons overlooking both Hagia Sophia and the Sea of Marmara
Right across from the Four Seasons Hotel is the Seven Hills Hotel which has a a rooftop restaurant where the sky feels ‘too’ close and sea gulls dance over your head. This hotel is higher than the historical Four Seasons Hotel so the feeling of elevation is grandeur and the experience is more intense for some people. It definitely has one of the best panoramic views in the city.
A view from Seven Hills Restaurant
The rooftop of Swissotel in another neighbourhood Besiktas (close to Taksim) is also a ‘must see’. The hotel was built on the land of Dolmabahce Palace where a royal theatre house used to stand, It was abolished in 1937 and Swissotel was erected here in spite of all the opposition of the public in the 1980s but the view is fantastic.
It has the feel of being on a cruise floating on the sea.
View of Swissotel
I would recommend you to watch the sunset here. What you see across from here is the Anatolian side which the Greeks (the first settlers in the historical peninsula) called Khalkedon which means ‘the land of the blind’ to define the earlier settlers ‘on the other side’ whom they thought was so blind that they could not see the beauty of the European side (where the historical city is located) and settled there.
If you follow the hill and reach Taksim and walk all the way along the Istiklal street, you will get a chance to visit many rooftops as most hotels are keen on having a rooftop restaurant or a bar or restaurants are keen on being located on rooftops. Here are some of the best.
360 Istanbul
Mikla Restaurant
If you decide to walk all the way to the Galata tower, consider going up to the rooftop of Anemon Hotel to see the old Genoese tower which we call the Galata tower on one side and the golden horn on the other.
Anemon Hotel rooftop overlooking Galata Tower
And if you have patience, maybe you can consider waiting in a long line up to go up to the Galata tower which has one of the most fascinating views of the city. There is an old legend of a man in history flying with wings from Galata tower across the Bosphorus. A legend we all love. Being on top of Galata tower gives you that sense of freedom, a sense of having one’s own wings to fly.
Have a look at this video clip of the old but famous film ‘istanbul Under My Wings’ referring to the legendary hero that had wings to fly across the Bosphorus from Galata Tower.
