Rumeli Hisari: The Fortress on the European Side

When you say Rumeli Hisari, it means the fortress. When you say Rumelihisari, it means the district. I'll mainly tell you about the sight, but also mention the district.

The Fortress

Sultan Mehmet II made it built before the conquest of Istanbul, in order to prevent the attacks that may come from the north of Bosphorus, the narrowest part of it. It is just on the opposite of Anadolu Hisari. The construction finished on August 31, 1452. It was built in ninety days. It has three big towers and the biggest bastions in the world. The fortress is now a concert arena. Artillery, cannon balls, and the chain that is thought to be used to block the Golden Horn are exhibited on the yard.

The District

Rumelihisari is a coastal district with many restaurant choices. You can have a great breakfast with the view, or delicious lunch and dinner. The prices may be a little bit higher than usual because of the view, but I think it's usually worth it. The district is also very close to Bogazici University.

How to get to Rumeli Hisari?

The Sariyer buses that follow the coastal road will pass from Rumeli Hisari. Beware that the road is narrow and the traffic jam is very heavy on week ends. You can also use the ferry which is much more scenic, but it is less frequent than the bus lines. If you don't like the traffic, you can try to reach there backwards. You can get on the Haciosman metro and there, you can take a Sariyer bus and then go to Rumeli Hisari.