Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
Building Suspension-cable hybrid bridge spanning the Bosphorus in Istanbul
The third bridge across the Bosphorus links Istanbul’s European and Asian sides north of the city, carrying motorway traffic and easing heavy freight routes. Engineers and photographers visit for scale and city views from its approaches.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is a major road-and-rail crossing over the Bosphorus in Istanbul linking the European and Asian sides at the strait’s northern end. It is a large modern cable-stayed bridge that opened in 2016 and forms part of the city’s outer motorway network.
The crossing carries eight lanes of motorway traffic together with two rail tracks intended for high-capacity rail and freight connections, and its towers and long main span dominate the northern Bosphorus skyline. The bridge was constructed to relieve central-city traffic and to provide a fast intercontinental route linking western and northern Anatolian motorway corridors.
The structure connects near Garipçe on the European shore and Poyrazköy on the Asian shore, sitting amid a blend of coastal, forested and suburban landscapes north of central Istanbul.
- Traffic configuration: Opened in 2016, it carries eight motorway lanes plus two rail tracks, combining road and planned high-capacity rail infrastructure on a single crossing.
- Role in the city: Spans the Bosphorus at the strait's northern end and is often referred to as Istanbul's third bridge across the waterway.
What to See #
- Main span and pylons: The central cable-stayed span and twin pylons that carry motorway and rail traffic across the Bosphorus at the Strait's northern end.
- European approach: On the European side the connection reaches the district near Garipçe, with road links into the northern motorway network around the city.
- Asian approach: On the Asian side the bridge connects to the highway network near the Poyrazköy area and onward routes to northern Anatolian motorways.
How to Get to Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge #
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge spans the northern Bosphorus in Istanbul as part of the Northern Marmara Motorway (O-7). It is accessed by car via the O-7/O-6/TEM motorway network on both the European and Asian sides; the bridge lies roughly 25-35 km north of Istanbul’s historic city centre by road and is primarily reached by private vehicle, intercity buses and taxis using the O-7 corridor.
Tips for Visiting Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge #
- You cannot walk or cycle across the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge; for the best views go to coastal vantage points such as Garipçe on the European side or Poyrazköy on the Asian side, where you can photograph the bridge and watch ship traffic.
- Visit early morning or at sunset to get better light for photos and to avoid the heavy vehicle traffic noise that dominates midday; roadside viewpoints are much quieter then.
- If you plan to photograph or film extensively, check municipal rules and any restrictions in advance - the bridge is a major motorway with strict access and security controls.
Best Time to Visit Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge #
Best visited in spring or autumn for mild weather and clearer views, and choose weekdays for fewer people if you plan to walk or photograph the bridge.
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