Car with Driver In Istanbul

Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Pierre Loti Hill

Eyüp Sultan Mosque is one of the most respected places of worship in Istanbul. Sultan Mehmed II built the complex in 1458, soon after the conquest of the city, beside the tomb traditionally linked to Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet. Families gather in its courtyard and many visitors find it a calm, human start to a day in the city.

From Eyüp a cable car climbs to Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French writer who loved the view of the Golden Horn. Sitting at the cafe with a glass of Turkish tea is the classic way to enjoy it. Ask your driver to time this stop for late afternoon if you want softer light for photographs of the water.

Galataport and Ortaköy on the waterfront

Galataport is the redeveloped cruise terminal at Karaköy, now a long waterfront promenade with galleries, shops and restaurants where you can walk right beside the Bosphorus. With a private car you can be dropped at the entrance, spend an hour on the quay and be collected without searching for parking in a crowded district.

Ortaköy sits at the foot of the Bosphorus Bridge, with the ornate Mecidiye Mosque on the water's edge. It is known for kumpir, the stuffed baked potato, and for sweet waffles, which are optional extras you pay for yourself. Many guests call it the best place for a sunset photograph with the bridge behind the mosque.

Bosphorus villages and Rumeli Fortress

A Bosphorus tour by car lets you stop where a ferry cannot. Bebek, Arnavutköy and Tarabya are waterside villages with wooden mansions, cafes and small parks, and you can step out for photographs and a coffee by the water before moving on. Your driver follows the coastal road and knows where parking is possible.

Rumeli Fortress rises above the strait at its narrowest point. Sultan Mehmed II had it built in 1452, in around four months, to control the passage before the conquest of Constantinople. The walls and towers give wide views of the Bosphorus, and the climb is the reason to wear comfortable shoes. Entrance to the fortress is paid separately.

The Asian side: Nakkaştepe, Çamlıca and Üsküdar

The Asian side is quieter than the old city and gives a different view of Istanbul. Nakkaştepe Park offers a wide look over the Bosphorus and its bridge, a good place for a walk with a drink from the cafe. Çamlıca Mosque, opened in 2019, is the largest mosque in Turkey and stands on a hill with views over the strait.

Çamlıca Tower rises nearby with viewing terraces over the whole city, and Emaar Square Mall offers shopping and dining if you want a break. In Üsküdar the waterfront faces the Maiden's Tower across the water. A private driver also removes the problem of crossing between continents in heavy traffic.

Emirgan Park, Belgrad Forest and green escapes

If you want fresh air, Emirgan Park is a large landscaped park on the European shore, famous for its tulips in spring and for its pavilions and tea gardens. It is an easy stop for older travellers and families because the paths are gentle and parking is close.

Belgrad Forest lies further north, a wooded area with walking paths and old Ottoman water structures, and the cooler air makes it a relief in summer. Many guests combine it with lunch in Zekeriyaköy, a viewpoint near the third Bosphorus Bridge and, if there is time, a stop at Istinye Park Shopping Centre on the way back.

A day for families: Florya, chocolate and the Egyptian Bazaar

Families travelling with children often ask for a private car in Istanbul with a family-friendly plan. One option is the Chocolate Museum, then Florya, where the Istanbul Aquarium draws visitors of all ages, and Fisekhane, a restored historic area with restaurants. All entrance tickets are paid separately.

The afternoon can end with the sea view at Sarayburnu Cafe or with the Egyptian Bazaar, the covered spice market built in the seventeenth century beside the New Mosque. With your own vehicle you can leave bags in the car, rest when children need it and skip the crowded public transport entirely.