Arnavutkoey

Introduction

Arnavutköy is a neighbourhood on the European shoreline of the Bosphorus strait, part of Istanbul's Beşiktaş district, sitting between Ortaköy and Bebek. It is known for its wooden Ottoman mansions and for its seafood restaurants, which line this stretch of the waterfront.

The neighbourhood is also home to the campus of Robert College, whose historic buildings stand within the area. With its shoreline setting and traditional architecture, Arnavutköy makes an easy addition to a Bosphorus itinerary alongside the neighbouring districts on either side.

Three days in Arnavutkoey

Day one: Base yourself in Arnavutköy, a European neighbourhood on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, and spend your first hours simply walking its streets. The waterfront setting gives you long views across the strait, and the Ottoman character of the area rewards slow wandering rather than rushing between sights. As evening comes, stay close to where you are staying and let the neighbourhood set the pace.

Day two: Follow the Bosphorus shoreline to nearby Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, both easy to reach from Arnavutköy and both worth a leisurely half-day each. Continue on to Bebek if you have the time, and pass by Robert College, a landmark of the area. The whole day works best as a chain of short stops along the water rather than a single destination.

Day three: Use your last day to return to whatever part of Arnavutköy you liked most, or to revisit the stretch between Ortaköy and Bebek. It is a day for lingering on the waterfront and taking in the Bosphorus at an unhurried pace before you leave Istanbul.