Istanbul: Bosphorus and Golden Horn Cruise with Audio Guide
Description
Sail through the Bosphorus Strait and along the Golden Horn as you see Istanbul's most famous sights on this sightseeing tour. Hop on a sightseeing cruise to tour the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Get a fresh look at Istanbul on this boat tour with an audio guide to tell you all the top tales as you glide by Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Maiden's Tower, and Galata Tower. Sail as far south to see the iconic Bosphorus Bridge. Meet your host on the other side of Hagia Sophia and walk down to the pier behind the grand mosque. Jump on board to discover the Golden Horn, considered to be the world’s largest natural harbor. Sail through the magnificent Bosphorus strait forming the continental boundary between Asia and Europe. Admire the Bosphorus coastline on the European side from the cruise, and see a string of villages, each with its own individual character and attractions. Glide past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and the Bosphorus Bridge, among others.
Tour Options
Itinerary
When it comes to Istanbul, one of the most important and well-known landmarks has to be the splendid Bosphorus. It is the reason Istanbul is known as the “the city between two continents.” The Bosphorus Strait is a natural waterway that runs through Istanbul, dividing the city into two continents. The Bosphorus connects Europe and Asia via the Sea of Marmara.
The Galata Tower is one of the symbols of Istanbul. From its elevated position, there is a magnificent view of Beyoğlu and Karaköy, and the tower's colorful lights can be seen from all over the city at night. Here is an overview of the history of the Galata Tower and some interesting facts about its use.
The Golden Horn (Halic) is an arm of the Bosphorus, into which two rivers flow at the other end. Considered the largest natural harbor in the world, it separates the European coast from Istanbul.
The royal Dolmabahce Palace is one of the main attractions that we will see whileon board. This elegant mansion of the Bosphorus is one of the most marvelous symbolic of Istanbul representing the Ottoman Empire’s 19th century architectural advancements.
Ortakoy is one of the most popular, liveliest and attractive neighborhoods in Besiktas, located right on the Bosphorus and under the Bosphorus Bridge. Ortakoy is also another popular entertainment and nightlife center of Istanbul with a variety of excellent cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants, shops, boutiques, bakery and souvenir shops.
Istanbul is standing between two continents: Asia and Europe. Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges are the two main bridges linking these two continents.
The historical fortress that is erected by the orders of Fatih Sultan Mehmet is another landmark of The Bos.phorus Strait. Rumeli Fortress is now serving as a facility including a lot of cafes and restaurants.
As mentioned, this second bridge was built in 1988 and is named after the famous Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who conquered Istanbul in 1453.
Located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, it is the neighbor of the Rumeli Fortress. Built by the orders of Sultan Bayezid, it not only added a new beauty to the city silhoutte, it was also used for security purposes. With its ancient look and mysterious atmosphere, Anatolian Fortress is another landmark of the mesmerizing Istanbul while we take a dinner tour along the Bosphorus.
The glamorous Beylerbeyi Palace is located on the Asian part of the Bosphorus in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of Istanbul. Located really close to the Bosphorus Bridge, it is one of the most chic buildings of Istanbul, the pearl of the Bosphorus Strait. Commissioned by the Sultan Abdulaziz of Ottoman Empire, it was originally built as a summer vacation palace for the imperial family. The luxurious and elegant interiors greatly complements the outer surroundings. It is a feast fort he eye, while cruising along the Bosphorus.
The Maiden's Tower, that is also known as Leander's Tower since the medieval Byzantine period, is a tower built on a small islet right across the coast of Uskudar. One of the most famous symbols of the city, Maiden’s Tower stand alone in the sea like a beautiful, graceful woman. It is considered one of the most romantic spots of the city and it witnesses many celebrations, engagements, proposals, etc… It is the subject of a many mysterious and romantic folk stories. During our Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, we will have the chance to take a look at this amazing structure while having the best time with delicious food and unlimited entertainment.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(84)
Soectac7lar views of the Stait and City! Very enjoyable trip. Bring a luch ir get stuff in the Galley. Take a pace on the Top Deck if you can.
Dear Kansas, thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! 🌟 We're thrilled you enjoyed the spectacular views of the Strait and the City.
It was a beautiful day and the views were spectacular BUT We met in the square between the Hagid Sofia and the Blue Mosque and we were told it was a 5 minute walk. It wasnt! It was steep cobbled streets and we had someone with limited mobility with us and it was a nightmare It was a scrum to get on the boat and again having someone who struggled meant this was awful. We knew the ferries were a free for all but expected more of a "cruise" As long as you know what you are getting it is OK but I wouldnt recommend for anyone with younger children or older party members
Great experience. One of the most scenic boat rides. Although a bit crowded, still manageable and enjoyable.
Just a great experience and well organized. we were lucky with the weather and got to see the awesome place which is Istanbul from the water.
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the cruise. Thank you for your kind review!
Good way to see and hear about most of the places of interest. Pity that the culture of extracting money from tourists was evident. It would greatly improve the trip if the drinks/fruit were offered for free. But it is Turkey. Nothing is for free, just a means of gaining financial gain.
Thank you for your nice comments and likes. However, giving you four stars ignores the efforts of the entire team, it is really sad. We would have loved to have received five stars from you.
I booked this tour going by the reviews from Trip Advisor. Most of the boat tours leave from the Eminonu area (which is so so busy, total mayhem!!!), but we found this operator which leaves from Ahırkapı İskelesi, which is much more accessible. You can also meet teh tour operator near the Blue Mosque if that's easier, and they walk you to the boat (abotu 10 mins). This a very well organised operation with great and welcoming staff. The audio guide switched between languages which catered for everyone. The snacks available onboard were also delicious. I highly recomment this company and wouldn't use anyone else when visiting Istanbul.
Sounds like you had a great experience! It's great to find a more accessible departure point than Ahırkapı Pier, away from the crowds of Eminönü. Having the guide change languages is a very thoughtful touch and the snacks definitely make the journey more enjoyable. We are really glad you liked it. Thank you for your nice words.
Took this cruise because the cruise we booked to the black sea was cancelled due to wind. This trip was a great alternative and we were happy spent quite a bit less but saw most everything we wanted to see.
I'm glad to hear that the alternative cruise is a great option! It's always a pleasant surprise when a change of plans still leads to an enjoyable experience. We are really glad you liked it.
Amazing trip taking you to lots of well known areas in Istanbul Overall very relaxing and we had the best experience
Looks like you had a great time! Exploring famous sites while relaxing on a tour is always a great way to enjoy the city. I'm really glad you liked it and thank you for your comment.
The cruise goes further up the Bosphorus than expected with lots to see along the coast. The commentary was out of synch after a while describing things we couldn’t yet see. There was no commentary at all on the return (along the Asian side) although there a number of things I would have liked to know more about.
Thank you for your feedback regarding the Bosphorus cruise. We're glad to hear that the cruise took you further up the Bosphorus and that there were plenty of sights to enjoy along the coast. We sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced with the commentary being out of sync and the lack of commentary on the return leg along the Asian side. We understand how important it is to have informative and timely narration throughout the entire journey, and we will work on improving this aspect to provide a more seamless experience. Your insights are valuable, and we appreciate you sharing them with us. We hope to welcome you again soon for an even better experience!
The 2-floor ship has the bar on the first where you can get some drinks and food, and places to sit. On the second floor the roof covers only the half of the sitting places area, consider it in case of rain. The audioguide was being played in english, spanish, arabic, and russian one by one for the whole ship. I’d day the service is good, but the activity itself is boring a bit. Mb it’s just not my kind of thing.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re happy to hear that you found the service good and appreciated the setup of the 2-floor ship. We understand that the audio guide, being played in different languages one after the other, may not have been ideal for everyone. We strive to ensure the cruise experience is enjoyable for all, and we value your feedback on how it could be more engaging. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and offer an experience that better suits your preferences.
