Getting there was easier than we expected (a metro one stop then a short walk to a bus stop and a bus over the Bosphorus) and we enjoyed a quiet walk up the hill. When we reached the top, we were a little puzzled why it seemed so busy (at 10.30 in the morning, which is early for Istanbul on a Saturday!) when the path had been so quiet until we realised there was a big car park on the other side of the top of the hill and the municipal-run cafes at the top of the hill are obvious a favourite breakfast spot. So much so that the cafes were full, though there was plenty of space to sit outside on a rather windswept bench with a cup of tea and admire the view.
And despite the good vantage point and being able a lot more of Istanbul than can usually be seen, I realised actually how little, even of the European side, can be seen. There's so much more that spreads out inland that just fades into grey.
Looking out onto the Bosphorus from the Asian side
Our view from the top of the hill
Panorama view
And just in case you'd forgotten, there's a lot of Istanbul on the Asian side as well!
And we got home in time to get J to bed for a nap and 5 minutes before a thunderstorm - definitely a successful trip!
