



by Bosphorus Tour Istanbul
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€80This 2.5-hour Bosphorus yacht cruise offers views of Istanbul's European and Asian shores from a luxury two-deck vessel. The cruise passes landmarks including the Bosphorus Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Dolmabahce Palace, Dolmabahce Mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden's Tower. An English-speaking guide provides historical and factual information about these sites throughout the journey. Guests are free to move between the upper and lower decks to photograph the scenery. The cruise includes a stopover at Kanlica, a village on the Asian side, where guests have about 30 minutes to explore independently and may purchase the local specialty, Kanlica yogurt, known for its thick texture made from a mix of cow and sheep milk. Onboard refreshments include authentic Turkish coffee served with Turkish delight, unlimited Turkish tea, freshly baked savory pastries, light snacks, seasonal fresh fruit, bottled water, and access to high-speed WiFi. Restroom facilities are available on the yacht. Alcoholic beverages are not included but can be purchased on board. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if selected. The stopover at Kanlica is optional and not included in the price.
Bosphorus Strait
The Bosphorus Strait runs about twenty miles through Istanbul, dividing the city into European and Asian sides. It varies between river-like and lake-like sections before joining the Black Sea. The cruise follows this waterway, passing through areas described for their hills, sea views, and historical significance.
150 min
Dolmabahce Palace
The area of Dolmabahce Palace was once a bay along the Bosphorus where the legendary ship Argos, from the tale of the Argonauts, is said to have anchored. The palace now stands on this historic site.
Ortakoy
Ortakoy Mosque, officially named Büyük Mecidiye Camii, is located at the waterfront of Ortakoy pier square. It is a notable waterside spot on the Bosphorus and part of the cruise route.
Bosphorus Bridge
Inaugurated on October 29, 1973, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, this suspension bridge has the longest span in Europe and the fourth longest in the world. It has a total length of 1560 metres (1706 yards) and a width of 33.4 metres (110ft). The span between pylons is 1074 metres (1175 yards) and the clearance above sea level is 64 metres (210ft). The steel box-girder suspension was constructed by a British-German consortium. A second bridge linking Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus was completed in 1989 between Emirgan and Kanlıca.
Dolmabahce Mosque
Dolmabahce Mosque in Istanbul was commissioned by Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan, the queen's mother. It is located near Dolmabahce Palace.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also called the Second Bosphorus Bridge, spans the Bosphorus Strait. Completed in 1988, it was the fifth-longest suspension bridge at the time and is currently ranked twenty-fourth worldwide.
Rumeli Fortress
Kanlıca is known for its Pier (İskele) Square, a monumental plane tree, and the 126-year-old İsmail Ağa Kahvesi Turkish Coffee House. Visitors often enjoy foamy Turkish coffee while overlooking the sea. Kanlıca Yogurt, made from a mix of cow’s and sheep’s milk, is a local specialty best tried with powdered sugar or honey. The coffeehouse was established in 1870 and remains a central part of the neighborhood.
30 min
Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi Palace, on the Asian shore between Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, was built in 1865 by Sultan Abdülaziz. Constructed entirely of marble, it hosted European royalty including Empress Eugénie and Czar Nicholas II. The palace grounds include marble lawns with stone lion statues, swans, fish, and fountains.
Beylerbeyi Palace
At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus on the European shore stands Rumelihisarr Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. The Sultan laid its foundation stone on March 26, 1452, to control ship passage and prepare for the attack on Constantinople. Completed in five months on August 28, 1452, the fortress was built on the site of ancient Hermaion. Its cannons commanded the Bosphorus opposite Anadoluhisarr Fortress. In 500 BC, Darius had thrown a pontoon bridge here to pass over 700,000 men. The walls and towers display inscriptions of the Prophet's and the Conqueror's names, Muhammet and Mehmet.
Galata Koprusu
About 180 meters from the shores of Üsküdar stands a tower known by two names: Leander's Tower and Maiden's Tower. Legend says a princess was protected here from a snake bite after a magician's prophecy. She was imprisoned until an officer sent her fruit, under which a snake hid and bit her. The officer saved her by sucking the poison from her arm. The tower was rebuilt during the reign of Ahmet III.
Galata Tower
The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul. It has been featured prominently in Turkish literature and culture since the late 19th century.
Kucuksu Pavilion
The Galata Tower, called Christea Turris by the Genoese, is a medieval stone tower located in the Galata/Karaköy area, just north of the Golden Horn's meeting point with the Bosphorus.
KIz Kulesi
Kucuksu Palace, also called the Palace of Göksu, is located between Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asian shore. Originally built in 1749, it was restored several times and remodeled in the mid-19th century. The palace sits at the water’s edge with marble terraces and iron railings.
Meeting Point: Dolmabahçe Mosque. Our staff will be waiting with a VELENA TRAVEL signboard. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure.
End point
Meeting Point: Dolmabahçe Mosque. Our staff will be waiting with a VELENA TRAVEL signboard. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure. Contact us for Pin location




by Bosphorus Tour Istanbul
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€80This 2.5-hour Bosphorus yacht cruise offers views of Istanbul's European and Asian shores from a luxury two-deck vessel. The cruise passes landmarks including the Bosphorus Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Dolmabahce Palace, Dolmabahce Mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden's Tower. An English-speaking guide provides historical and factual information about these sites throughout the journey. Guests are free to move between the upper and lower decks to photograph the scenery. The cruise includes a stopover at Kanlica, a village on the Asian side, where guests have about 30 minutes to explore independently and may purchase the local specialty, Kanlica yogurt, known for its thick texture made from a mix of cow and sheep milk. Onboard refreshments include authentic Turkish coffee served with Turkish delight, unlimited Turkish tea, freshly baked savory pastries, light snacks, seasonal fresh fruit, bottled water, and access to high-speed WiFi. Restroom facilities are available on the yacht. Alcoholic beverages are not included but can be purchased on board. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if selected. The stopover at Kanlica is optional and not included in the price.
Bosphorus Strait
The Bosphorus Strait runs about twenty miles through Istanbul, dividing the city into European and Asian sides. It varies between river-like and lake-like sections before joining the Black Sea. The cruise follows this waterway, passing through areas described for their hills, sea views, and historical significance.
150 min
Dolmabahce Palace
The area of Dolmabahce Palace was once a bay along the Bosphorus where the legendary ship Argos, from the tale of the Argonauts, is said to have anchored. The palace now stands on this historic site.
Ortakoy
Ortakoy Mosque, officially named Büyük Mecidiye Camii, is located at the waterfront of Ortakoy pier square. It is a notable waterside spot on the Bosphorus and part of the cruise route.
Bosphorus Bridge
Inaugurated on October 29, 1973, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, this suspension bridge has the longest span in Europe and the fourth longest in the world. It has a total length of 1560 metres (1706 yards) and a width of 33.4 metres (110ft). The span between pylons is 1074 metres (1175 yards) and the clearance above sea level is 64 metres (210ft). The steel box-girder suspension was constructed by a British-German consortium. A second bridge linking Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus was completed in 1989 between Emirgan and Kanlıca.
Dolmabahce Mosque
Dolmabahce Mosque in Istanbul was commissioned by Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan, the queen's mother. It is located near Dolmabahce Palace.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also called the Second Bosphorus Bridge, spans the Bosphorus Strait. Completed in 1988, it was the fifth-longest suspension bridge at the time and is currently ranked twenty-fourth worldwide.
Rumeli Fortress
Kanlıca is known for its Pier (İskele) Square, a monumental plane tree, and the 126-year-old İsmail Ağa Kahvesi Turkish Coffee House. Visitors often enjoy foamy Turkish coffee while overlooking the sea. Kanlıca Yogurt, made from a mix of cow’s and sheep’s milk, is a local specialty best tried with powdered sugar or honey. The coffeehouse was established in 1870 and remains a central part of the neighborhood.
30 min
Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi Palace, on the Asian shore between Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, was built in 1865 by Sultan Abdülaziz. Constructed entirely of marble, it hosted European royalty including Empress Eugénie and Czar Nicholas II. The palace grounds include marble lawns with stone lion statues, swans, fish, and fountains.
Beylerbeyi Palace
At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus on the European shore stands Rumelihisarr Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. The Sultan laid its foundation stone on March 26, 1452, to control ship passage and prepare for the attack on Constantinople. Completed in five months on August 28, 1452, the fortress was built on the site of ancient Hermaion. Its cannons commanded the Bosphorus opposite Anadoluhisarr Fortress. In 500 BC, Darius had thrown a pontoon bridge here to pass over 700,000 men. The walls and towers display inscriptions of the Prophet's and the Conqueror's names, Muhammet and Mehmet.
Galata Koprusu
About 180 meters from the shores of Üsküdar stands a tower known by two names: Leander's Tower and Maiden's Tower. Legend says a princess was protected here from a snake bite after a magician's prophecy. She was imprisoned until an officer sent her fruit, under which a snake hid and bit her. The officer saved her by sucking the poison from her arm. The tower was rebuilt during the reign of Ahmet III.
Galata Tower
The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul. It has been featured prominently in Turkish literature and culture since the late 19th century.
Kucuksu Pavilion
The Galata Tower, called Christea Turris by the Genoese, is a medieval stone tower located in the Galata/Karaköy area, just north of the Golden Horn's meeting point with the Bosphorus.
KIz Kulesi
Kucuksu Palace, also called the Palace of Göksu, is located between Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asian shore. Originally built in 1749, it was restored several times and remodeled in the mid-19th century. The palace sits at the water’s edge with marble terraces and iron railings.
Meeting Point: Dolmabahçe Mosque. Our staff will be waiting with a VELENA TRAVEL signboard. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure.
End point
Meeting Point: Dolmabahçe Mosque. Our staff will be waiting with a VELENA TRAVEL signboard. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure. Contact us for Pin location