Istanbul 2-Continents Bosphorus Boat Tour with Lunch and Cable Car Ride
by IMCA TOURISM
Choose from 1 available option
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.€100Overview
This 7 to 9-hour tour of Istanbul includes a boat cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, crossing two continents: Europe and Asia. The tour begins with a morning cruise departing from the European side, sailing under the Galata Bridge and passing notable landmarks such as Dolmabahce Mosque and Palace, Ortaköy neighborhood and mosque, and the Bosphorus Bridge. The boat continues along the strait, offering views of historic sites including Rumeli Fortress, Anadolu Fortress, Hidiv Kasri, and Küçüksu Pavilion. The cruise passes beneath the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and stops for one hour at Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. Visitors may explore the palace grounds, but entrance tickets are not included and must be purchased separately. After the palace visit, the tour proceeds to Çamlıca Hill for a one-hour stop at Çamlıca Mosque, the largest mosque in Turkey, which provides panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Lunch and brunch are served onboard the boat during the cruise, but tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are not included. On the return to the European side, the tour includes a scenic cable car ride lasting about three minutes to Pierre Loti Hill. Each cable car cabin holds eight people. At Pierre Loti Hill, guests have about one hour to enjoy views of the Golden Horn and may purchase tea or coffee at the café. The tour includes hotel transfers and English and Russian-speaking guides. Entrance fees to attractions are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Galata Koprusu
The boat sails under the Galata Bridge, a historic structure linking old Istanbul with the modern Karaköy district. Passengers can observe panoramic city views and the lively atmosphere created by locals fishing and walking along the bridge.
Bosphorus Strait
The cruise continues along the Bosphorus, which separates Europe and Asia. Both shores feature historic Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions, and groves. The waterway is busy with ferries, fishing boats, and yachts, illustrating the Bosphorus's role as a vital and historically significant channel.
120 min
Dolmabahce Mosque
The boat passes the Dolmabahce Mosque near Dolmabahce Palace. This imperial mosque is known for its ornate architecture and peaceful setting, visible from the water along with a notable clock tower.
Dolmabahce Palace
The cruise offers views of Dolmabahce Palace, a 19th-century residence of Ottoman sultans. The palace combines European and Ottoman architectural styles and stands on the Bosphorus shore with a distinctive opulent façade.
Ortakoy
Passengers see the Ortaköy neighborhood from the boat, noted for its cobblestone streets and markets. The Ortaköy Mosque, located on the water’s edge, is visible with its detailed dome and waterfront position.
Bosphorus Bridge
The boat passes directly under the Bosphorus Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. This crossing provides a unique perspective sailing between two continents.
Hidiv Kasri
While moving through the Bebek area, the boat passes the Hidiv Kasrı, an Ottoman-era mansion partly hidden by greenery. This historic pavilion reflects refined Ottoman design and overlooks the Bosphorus.
Rumeli Fortress
The cruise approaches Rumeli Fortress on the European side. This large fortress with towering walls was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and stands as a significant historic military structure.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The boat sails beneath the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, a modern structure named after the conqueror of Istanbul. This bridge links the European and Asian sides and contrasts with the historic Bosphorus surroundings.
Anadolu Hisari Fort
The boat passes Anadolu Hisarı, an Ottoman fortress on the Asian shore built by Sultan Bayezid I before the conquest of Istanbul. It is the oldest Turkish architectural structure on the Bosphorus. Its stone walls and towers reflect early Ottoman fortification.
Kucuksu Pavilion
The cruise continues past Küçüksu Pavilion, a small 19th-century Rococo-style palace on the Asian shore. The pavilion served as a summer retreat for sultans and is noted for its delicate design and pastel colors.
Beylerbeyi Palace
The boat docks for an hour-long stop at Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. Built between 1861 and 1865 for Sultan Abdülaziz, this late Ottoman palace features Neo-Baroque and Ottoman elements, with interiors decorated by Hereke carpets and chandeliers. Tickets are not included and can be bought on site.
60 min
CamlIca Mosque
The tour visits Çamlıca Mosque at the top of Çamlıca Hill. Completed in 2019, it is Turkey’s largest mosque and displays modern Ottoman-inspired architecture. The visit includes time to view the prayer halls and the panoramic cityscape from the courtyard.
60 min
Pierre Loti
The visit includes Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French novelist Pierre Loti. The hill is reached by a cable car ride lasting about 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Each cabin holds 8 passengers and the cable car avoids a walk through the Eyüp cemetery. At the top, visitors can spend time viewing the Golden Horn and may purchase Turkish coffee or tea at the historic café.
60 min
Meeting point
Behind of the mosque and seaside next to embaktur flag
End point
Behind of the mosque and seaside next to embaktur flag
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Istanbul 2-Continents Bosphorus Boat Tour with Lunch and Cable Car Ride
by IMCA TOURISM
Choose from 1 available option
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.€100Overview
This 7 to 9-hour tour of Istanbul includes a boat cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, crossing two continents: Europe and Asia. The tour begins with a morning cruise departing from the European side, sailing under the Galata Bridge and passing notable landmarks such as Dolmabahce Mosque and Palace, Ortaköy neighborhood and mosque, and the Bosphorus Bridge. The boat continues along the strait, offering views of historic sites including Rumeli Fortress, Anadolu Fortress, Hidiv Kasri, and Küçüksu Pavilion. The cruise passes beneath the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and stops for one hour at Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. Visitors may explore the palace grounds, but entrance tickets are not included and must be purchased separately. After the palace visit, the tour proceeds to Çamlıca Hill for a one-hour stop at Çamlıca Mosque, the largest mosque in Turkey, which provides panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Lunch and brunch are served onboard the boat during the cruise, but tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are not included. On the return to the European side, the tour includes a scenic cable car ride lasting about three minutes to Pierre Loti Hill. Each cable car cabin holds eight people. At Pierre Loti Hill, guests have about one hour to enjoy views of the Golden Horn and may purchase tea or coffee at the café. The tour includes hotel transfers and English and Russian-speaking guides. Entrance fees to attractions are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Galata Koprusu
The boat sails under the Galata Bridge, a historic structure linking old Istanbul with the modern Karaköy district. Passengers can observe panoramic city views and the lively atmosphere created by locals fishing and walking along the bridge.
Bosphorus Strait
The cruise continues along the Bosphorus, which separates Europe and Asia. Both shores feature historic Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions, and groves. The waterway is busy with ferries, fishing boats, and yachts, illustrating the Bosphorus's role as a vital and historically significant channel.
120 min
Dolmabahce Mosque
The boat passes the Dolmabahce Mosque near Dolmabahce Palace. This imperial mosque is known for its ornate architecture and peaceful setting, visible from the water along with a notable clock tower.
Dolmabahce Palace
The cruise offers views of Dolmabahce Palace, a 19th-century residence of Ottoman sultans. The palace combines European and Ottoman architectural styles and stands on the Bosphorus shore with a distinctive opulent façade.
Ortakoy
Passengers see the Ortaköy neighborhood from the boat, noted for its cobblestone streets and markets. The Ortaköy Mosque, located on the water’s edge, is visible with its detailed dome and waterfront position.
Bosphorus Bridge
The boat passes directly under the Bosphorus Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. This crossing provides a unique perspective sailing between two continents.
Hidiv Kasri
While moving through the Bebek area, the boat passes the Hidiv Kasrı, an Ottoman-era mansion partly hidden by greenery. This historic pavilion reflects refined Ottoman design and overlooks the Bosphorus.
Rumeli Fortress
The cruise approaches Rumeli Fortress on the European side. This large fortress with towering walls was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and stands as a significant historic military structure.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The boat sails beneath the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, a modern structure named after the conqueror of Istanbul. This bridge links the European and Asian sides and contrasts with the historic Bosphorus surroundings.
Anadolu Hisari Fort
The boat passes Anadolu Hisarı, an Ottoman fortress on the Asian shore built by Sultan Bayezid I before the conquest of Istanbul. It is the oldest Turkish architectural structure on the Bosphorus. Its stone walls and towers reflect early Ottoman fortification.
Kucuksu Pavilion
The cruise continues past Küçüksu Pavilion, a small 19th-century Rococo-style palace on the Asian shore. The pavilion served as a summer retreat for sultans and is noted for its delicate design and pastel colors.
Beylerbeyi Palace
The boat docks for an hour-long stop at Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. Built between 1861 and 1865 for Sultan Abdülaziz, this late Ottoman palace features Neo-Baroque and Ottoman elements, with interiors decorated by Hereke carpets and chandeliers. Tickets are not included and can be bought on site.
60 min
CamlIca Mosque
The tour visits Çamlıca Mosque at the top of Çamlıca Hill. Completed in 2019, it is Turkey’s largest mosque and displays modern Ottoman-inspired architecture. The visit includes time to view the prayer halls and the panoramic cityscape from the courtyard.
60 min
Pierre Loti
The visit includes Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French novelist Pierre Loti. The hill is reached by a cable car ride lasting about 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Each cabin holds 8 passengers and the cable car avoids a walk through the Eyüp cemetery. At the top, visitors can spend time viewing the Golden Horn and may purchase Turkish coffee or tea at the historic café.
60 min
Meeting point
Behind of the mosque and seaside next to embaktur flag
End point
Behind of the mosque and seaside next to embaktur flag
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.