The Bosporus

From here, you have a breathtaking view of the Bosporus. This waterway has been a coveted passage for ages, playing a key role in Istanbul's history. As a matter of fact, the Bosporus and Dardanelles, on the other side of the Marmara Sea, are the gateways to the Mediterranean trade. Whoever controls them, calls the shots! In a nutshell, the Bosporus connects the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea, and separates Europe from Asia all at once. Legend has it that the name Bosporus comes from Ancient Greek, meaning “passage of the cow”. The story goes that Io, daughter of the river god, was Zeus' mistress. He'd turn into a cloud to secretly meet her, but his wife Hera eventually caught on. Zeus then turned Io into a cow, but Hera wasn't fooled. She sent a horsefly to sting and torment the beast, which fled in a panic. Io was condemned to wander the earth until she crossed the Bosporus and escaped, hence the name. Even with airplanes these days, the Bosporus remains a vital passageway between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This major shipping lane sees around 5,000 cargo ships sail through every year. You'll also see plenty of cruise ships. In fact, a Bosporus cruise is a fantastic way to explore the city and see landmarks like the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque and the Galatasaray University.