Rumeli Fortress

Castle · Rumeli Hisari

Rumeli Fortress

Castle · Rumeli Hisari

Rumeli Hisarı, Yahya Kemal Cd., 34470 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Türkiye

Highlights

Discover the historic charm of this 15th-century fortress, featuring scenic pathways and lovely water views, though some towers are currently under renovation.

Rumeli Hisarı, Yahya Kemal Cd., 34470 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Türkiye Get directions

google.com

@afar

"A Fortress in Istanbul Most visitors to Istanbul probably don’t realize that there is a fortress there. Located on the western shore of the Bosphorus (just south of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge) is a fortress that dates back to pre-Ottoman rule. Rumeli Hisarı (“roo-mel-li hee-sah-ruh”) was built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in preparation for his invasion of Byzantine Constantinople. The sultan built the fortress across the Bosphorus from the Anadolou Hisarı. Strategically, the two fortresses are located at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus which allowed the Ottomans to prevent aid and supplies from ever reaching Constantinople. These days, the fort is a museum and a nice place for a stroll to catch magnificent views of the Bosphorus from the European side. There is a small entry free. The fort is closed on Wednesdays. In my opinion, the best time to go is Saturday morning because there is a town, within easy walking distance, that holds its weekly market then. Plus, there are plenty of cafes to catch a bite or drink. There are several ways you can get to Rumeli Hisarı but I took the No 559C bus from Taksim Square. It ends at the town above the fortress and it’s about a 10 minute downhill walk from there. You can catch the return bus to Taksim. Just ask the driver for information. Not many tourists come to Rumeli Hisarı so you can catch a bit of local life that’s not been tainted by tourism. You’ll truly be off the beaten path!"

If you only have three days in istanbul

View Postcard for Rumeli Fortress

Alexander Sattar

Google

For the few qm that are actually accessible, it's obscenely overpriced. Plus, you need an hour and several changes to get there from the European part. The view isn't that scenic, and you can't get to anything actually interesting, like the towers and walls.

Fatimah Mo

Google

Very clean and not a lot of tourist you can take metro to rumeli hisari (boğazici universitisi) M6 and you will reach the sidewalk to the sea

Parsa Hosseinzadeh

Google

It was a very beautiful place. It was an amazing castle, but it's a pity that you couldn't enter the castle and you could only see the towers from the area. The ticket price was cheaper than other museums and palaces in Istanbul 220 lira (March 2024)

Emma Dolcini

Google

I went to Rumeli fortress right after I finished the first season of rise of the empire it was cool to see things they mentioned in the show in real life. Lots of history here. They only have the garden section open to the public. The towers are under renovation. I talked to one of the employees and he was nice enough to take me inside. Looks like they are putting an elevator in one and building platforms for visitors to walk around on in the other tower. The towers won’t be open to the public for another 2 years.

Davide Manenti

Google

Very limited access due to deep restoration. No walls, no towers are accessible now. Only internal court, lots of steps to climb. Very cheap ticket. A lot of signs and boards with historical info also in English. 10min walk from ferryboat pier.

rick byatte

Google

Not much to see, they are doing restorations. Can only walk around inside, good views from the top of the garden. 6 Euros to enter may 2024.

Ahmed Al-Akki

Google

Unfortunately when I visited the fortress it was under renovation. That is why I couldn’t go up the towers, terraces and walls. The only place l could go to and take photos was the enclosed garden of the fortress and its mosque. The entrance fee was TL 130 and you can just visit the garden.

Malcolm Wilson

Google

Wonderful place full of history. Under partial renovation for the last year, it is still well worth the visit. Take time to visit in different seasons as each is unique. Hopefully they reopen the spring/cistern under the mosque. I was able to see it once and it is amazing.