Local Insight:Istanbul’s historic peninsula is one of the world’s best-preserved urban landscapes for cycling, with routes passing Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman monuments within minutes of each other. The city’s growing network of bike lanes makes exploring its ancient streets easier and more magical than ever.

The Bosphorus Bridge isn’t just a connection between Europe and Asia; it’s a symbol of unity. Cycling tours that incorporate the ferry ride underneath it offer a serene, up-close view of this engineering marvel, a perspective completely missed from the crowded roads above.

The Asian side’s Kadıköy district, a highlight on many bike and walking tours, was once ancient Chalcedon. The Romans called it the “Land of the Blind” because its early settlers overlooked the superior location of the historic peninsula directly across the water.

Istanbul’s magic is in its layers. A scenic bike tour peels them back one by one—from the roar of the modern ferry crossing to the quiet whisper of a hidden Byzantine alley. You don’t just see the city; you feel its pulse beneath your wheels.