Three Bridges, Two Continents

Istanbul is connected across the Bosphorus by three suspension bridges — each a feat of engineering and each with its own character. Together, they carry hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily between the European and Asian sides of the city. For cruise passengers, sailing beneath these massive structures is a highlight, with the bridge cables soaring overhead and the scale of the engineering creating a sense of awe that photographs rarely capture.

15 July Martyrs Bridge (First Bridge)

Originally called the Bosphorus Bridge, this was the first bridge to span the strait when it opened in 1973 on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Stretching 1,560 meters with a main span of 1,074 meters, it was the 4th longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. Renamed after the failed 2016 coup attempt, it is illuminated at night with colorful LED lights that create stunning reflections on the water — a highlight of any dinner or night cruise. The bridge connects Ortaköy on the European side to Beylerbeyi on the Asian side.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Second Bridge)

Completed in 1988 and named after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, this bridge spans the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. At 1,510 meters long, it sits between the two great Ottoman fortresses — Rumeli Hisarı and Anadolu Hisarı — that were built to control this strategic point. The bridge's sleek design and dramatic setting between the fortresses make it particularly photogenic on a Bosphorus cruise, especially during sunset when the light catches the cables against the sky.

Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bridge)

The newest and most impressive of the three, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge opened in 2016 near the Black Sea entrance of the Bosphorus. It is the widest suspension bridge in the world at 59 meters, carrying 8 lanes of traffic and 2 railway lines. Named after Sultan Selim I, it was designed by architect Michel Virlogeux (who also designed France's famous Millau Viaduct). While standard Bosphorus cruises typically don't reach this far north, extended yacht charters and full Bosphorus tours pass beneath it.

Experiencing the Bridges by Cruise

On a typical Bosphorus cruise, you'll pass under the First Bridge and often approach the Second Bridge before turning back. The experience of looking up as you glide beneath the massive structure is remarkable — the bridge seems to stretch infinitely overhead. At night, the First Bridge's LED display creates a rainbow of colors reflected in the black water. For photographers, the bridges make excellent framing elements for skyline shots and are particularly dramatic at sunset.