Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise

Your Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise begins with pickup from selected centrally located hotels.

Exact pickup times vary according to hotel location and Istanbul traffic.

Transfer to the Eminonu waterfront, where you will meet the cruise group and prepare to board the sightseeing boat.

The scheduled boat departure is approximately 11:30 AM.

Board the boat and leave the busy Eminonu waterfront behind.

As the cruise begins, enjoy views toward the Historical Peninsula, Golden Horn and Galata area while your guide introduces the Bosphorus and its importance to Istanbul.

The route then continues toward the European shoreline for the main sightseeing section of the cruise.

Cruise north along Istanbul's European coast and see some of the city's most recognizable waterfront landmarks.

Depending on the sailing route, views include:

• Galata Tower
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Ciragan Palace
• Ortakoy Mosque
• Bosphorus Bridge
• Arnavutkoy
• Bebek
• Rumeli Fortress

Your guide provides historical and architectural commentary as the boat travels along the strait.

Seeing these landmarks from the water provides a much wider perspective than viewing them from Istanbul's busy coastal roads.

Continue toward Rumeli Fortress, one of the most impressive historic structures on the Bosphorus.

Built by Sultan Mehmed II shortly before the conquest of Constantinople, the fortress occupies a strategic position at one of the narrowest sections of the strait.

The standard itinerary views Rumeli Fortress from the water rather than including an interior visit.

From this point, the boat prepares to cross toward the Asian Side.

Step ashore on the Asian shore for the scheduled visit to Küçüksu Pavilion.

Built in the 19th century, the waterfront pavilion was used by Ottoman sultans during short excursions and hunting visits outside the main imperial residences.

Its compact design, decorative interiors and waterfront location provide a different perspective on Ottoman palace architecture from the much larger Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces.

The scheduled museum entrance is included in the standard tour.

If Küçüksu Pavilion is unavailable because of its weekly closing day, museum operations, restoration, pier conditions or another operational reason, the shore-stop program may be adjusted.

Return to the boat and begin cruising south along Istanbul's Asian shore.

Enjoy views toward Anadolu Fortress, positioned opposite Rumeli Fortress at one of the narrowest sections of the Bosphorus.

Continue past historic waterfront neighborhoods and mansions before reaching Beylerbeyi Palace, the elegant 19th-century Ottoman summer residence beside the Bosphorus.

This return route provides a contrasting view of Istanbul's Asian shoreline after the outward journey along Europe.

As the boat approaches the southern Bosphorus, enjoy views toward Maiden's Tower, standing on its small islet near the entrance of the strait.

The surrounding panorama opens toward the Historical Peninsula, Galata and central Istanbul.

After approximately 2.5 hours, the Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise finishes in the Eminonu area.

Hotel drop-off is not included.

From Eminonu, you can easily continue toward the Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet, Karakoy, Galata Bridge or other central Istanbul districts.