Maybe the most romantic activity in Istanbul is a tour on the Bosporus. There are many options to choose from and additional services that one can benefit from. Before going, it’s worth understanding your route, the duration, and if there is any meal being served on your tour. In this article we include all you need to know about the Bosporus tour in Istanbul.
Departure location in Istanbul
Majority of the cruises are departing in the heart of Istanbul, close to Dolmabahce Palace. You need to look for the wooden house behind the red petrol station. The tickets you need to purchase there from the marine officer and get access to the boat. You can also book in advance via internet. See below direct links to the best tours.
What to expect at a Bosporus tour
- You can explore the highlights between Europe and Asia
- You will be able to discover Istanbul from a different point of view
- You will pass by historical palaces, fortresses and below the Bosphorus Bridge
- And of course, you can capture amazing pictures during the tour
- All the boats are in good condition and equipped with an upper deck for the best views
- Refreshments , coffee, tea are also sold inside the boat
- You will have access to audio guide in 10 languages for your own smartphone:
English, German, French, Russian, Italien, Italien, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish
In order to have the best views, we recommend arriving on time to the boat, aim the upper deck and find an empty seat on the side. We did the tour in January and the boat was not full at all. So it was relatively easy. However – regardless of the stunning sunlight – it’s better having a warm coat and a scarf with you. But if you are very cold, you can always get in, where there are comfortable seats in the heated room. Here as well there are huge windows to admire the panorama, so you don’t miss out anything.
About the Bosporus & its sightseeing points
The Bosphorus is 32km long, separates Europe from Asia and connects the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea. In addition to its natural beauty, the strait is acclaimed for its concentration of Byzantine and Ottoman historic sites, as well as the breathtaking views of the city of Istanbul.
During the tour, you will be able to see the most famous points of Istanbul from a different point of view: Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, Üsküdar, Maiden Tower, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Seaside Villas and much more…
Besides that there are now three enormous bridges spanning the Bosporus strait connecting the continents of Europe and Asia – the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (1973), Fatih Sultan Mehmet (1988), and Yavuz Sultan Selim (2016). Depending on which tour you are choosing from, you will be able to see at least two of them.
Choose the best tour on the Bosporus
Enjoy our discounts in Istanbul
Useful information about the Bosporus tour in Istanbul
How long is the Bosporus tour?
The standard Bosporus tour takes approximately 2-3 hours. But of course it depends on the route that you book.
Is the Bosporus tour expensive?
The standard Bosporus tour price is between approximately 10-25 EUR, but if you want to book dinner on the boat as well, the price is obviously going up.
When is the best time to go for a Bosporus tour?
Undoubtedly, around sunset is the best time to get the tour because of the beauty of the strait in light, and night is really exclusive. But, during the day the views are the best and the sunshine makes the whole cruise just lovely.
Best experiences in Istanbul
Istanbul has everything a visitor needs to have a great experience. Its natural beauty draws visitors from around the world- along with its numerous important sites and cultural heritage. As far as things to do in the place go, there are plenty of activities available for visitors.
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I come from another big city that’s next to Istanbul, but I’ve done the Bosporus tour only once in a smaller and shadier boat that almost gave me a heart attack 😂
Oh what an experience 😁
What a great way to see more of the beautiful sights. I would definitely want to take this cruise tour if I were to visit Istanbul. I appreciate your insights. Hopefully we will get to go someday.
Thank you! We really recommend it. It was one of the highlights of our trip ☺️