Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht
by Tour Book Turkey
Choose from 3 available options
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.€60Overview
The Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a luxury yacht departs from Kabatas Pier, except on May 1st when it leaves from Kuruçeşme Pier. The cruise lasts about two hours and fifteen minutes. Passengers board a decorated yacht designed for comfort, which includes indoor areas and a restroom. The yacht sails north along the European side of the Bosphorus Strait, passing landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and Rumeli Fortress. During this time, fruit plates, baklava, cookies, and non-alcoholic drinks like homemade lemonade with fresh mint, tea, and coffee are served. An experienced guide provides commentary on the sights along the route. Upon reaching the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the yacht turns and sails back along the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Passengers see wooden houses and other notable locations, including Beylerbeyi Palace, Anadolu Hisari Fort, and Kuleli Military High School. The cruise continues to the Maiden’s Tower, located on a small island in the middle of the Bosphorus, where passengers can take photographs of the sunset. The yacht then returns to Kabatas Pier, offering views of Istanbul’s old city skyline. Alcoholic beverages and transfers are not included. The tour operates regardless of weather conditions but is not recommended for guests with vertigo or seasickness.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace is an Ottoman-era palace covering 250,000 square meters in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district, located on the left bank at the entrance of the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara. Historically a cove where ships anchored, it was favored as a residence by sultans and overlooks the Bosphorus waters.
Cıragan Palace
Cıragan Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and completed in 1871 on the site of a former wooden summer palace. Made of marble and covering 80,000 square meters, it served as a prison for deposed sultans, including Murat V who was held there for 29 years. After 1908 it was used as the Turkish Parliament until a fire damaged it in 1910. The grounds later became a stadium before the palace was restored and reopened as a hotel in the early 1990s.
Ortakoy
Ortakoy is a district in Beşiktaş on the European side of the Bosphorus, consisting of Ortakoy and Mecidiye neighborhoods. It is located on slopes along a valley opening to the coast and bordered by several districts. Ortakoy Bazaar has souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants and is lively throughout the day, with activity beginning after 10:00 am.
Buyuk Mecidiye Camii
Ortaköy Mosque, officially Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, is a 19th-century Ottoman mosque on the Bosphorus shoreline in Ortaköy. It showcases Baroque architecture and offers views of the Bosphorus Bridge, serving as a well-known landmark and popular photography spot.
Bosphorus Bridge
The Bosphorus Bridge connects Ortaköy on the European side and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. Construction began in 1970 and it opened on October 29, 1973. As the first bridge over the Bosphorus, it facilitates transit between Istanbul’s continents and is a key landmark in the city’s transport network.
Kuruçeşme
Kuruçeşme is a lively neighborhood on the European shore of the Bosphorus, known for its seaside restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. It combines historic charm with modern social venues and offers views of the water and passing boats.
Galatasaray Island
Galatasaray Island is a small private island near Kuruçeşme in the Bosphorus, owned by Galatasaray Sports Club. It serves as a social and recreational area for club members and features swimming pools and waterfront views.
Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy is a historic neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul along the Bosphorus. It is known for colorful wooden Ottoman houses, narrow streets, seaside cafes, and fish restaurants, providing a traditional atmosphere.
Bebek Park
Bebek is a historic neighborhood located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, surrounded by Arnavutköy, Etiler, and Rumeli Hisari. Known for its scenic Bosphorus views, historic buildings including Bogazici University, and upscale restaurants.
Rumeli Fortress
Rumeli Fortress in Sariyer was built in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror opposite Anadolu Hisari. Constructed in three months to defend against naval attacks, it later served as a maritime inspection point. Restored in 1953, it now functions as an open-air theater and museum.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Istanbul’s second Bosphorus bridge, was built between Kavacik and Hisarustu, opening in 1988. It is the 14th largest steel suspension bridge worldwide and carries significant traffic between the Asian and European sides.
Anadolu Hisari Fort
Anadolu Hisari is a fortress built in 1395 on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Beykoz. It consists of a citadel and exterior walls and was converted into a military hospital after the conquest of Istanbul. Restoration from 1991 to 1993 made it a museum, though only the outer walls are accessible.
Kucuksu Pavilion
Kucuksu Pavilion is a small Ottoman summer palace on the Bosphorus coast road between Uskudar and Beykoz, designed by architect Nikogos Balyan. It served as a relaxation spot for sultans and is now a museum showcasing its detailed furnishings and views.
Kuleli Military High School
Kuleli Military High School is a 19th-century historic building on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. Known for its architecture and waterfront location, it has played an important role in Turkish military education.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace is an Ottoman summer palace built in the 1860s beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by Sarkis Balyan, it blends Renaissance, Baroque, and other Eastern and Western styles. The two-story stone building sits on about 2,500 square meters and includes six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam, and one bathroom. The south side was the Imperial Mabeyn and the north side the Valide Sultan's Apartment. The palace also features a large garden and a lily pond.
Üsküdar
Üsküdar is a historic district on Istanbul’s Asian side along the Bosphorus, known for its mosques, seaside squares, and traditional neighborhoods. It offers views of the Maiden’s Tower and the European shore, reflecting Ottoman heritage.
KIz Kulesi
The Maiden’s Tower sits on a small island about 200 meters from Uskudar’s shore. The tower is linked to a legend about a sultan’s daughter who was protected there from a snake bite but was ultimately bitten. It is a distinctive feature of the Bosphorus skyline.
Galata Koprusu
Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn, linking two parts of Istanbul. Since its original construction in 1845, it has been rebuilt several times, most recently after a 1992 fire. It features restaurants, cafes, and pedestrian and tram traffic, serving as a focal point of daily city life.
Galata Tower
Built by the Genoese in 1348, Galata Tower is 66.90 meters tall and was the tallest building in Istanbul at the time. It has been used as a fire observatory and jail. Its conical roof was destroyed in 1875 and restored in the 1960s when the wooden interior was replaced by concrete. Now open to the public, the tower has a restaurant and cafe on the upper floor with panoramic views of the city.
Galataport
Galataport is a modern port and social area in Istanbul’s Karaköy district. It combines historic and contemporary architecture and includes restaurants, cafes, shops, and cultural venues. The underground terminal manages cruise ship traffic.
Meeting point
Meeting Point: KABATAŞ SQUARE (seaside, opposite Kabataş Tram Station) Our team will be waiting across from BELTUR cafe, near the FUNICULAR ELEVATOR, holding a sign that says Golden City Tours. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure time.
End point
Meeting Point: KABATAŞ SQUARE (seaside, opposite Kabataş Tram Station) Our team will be waiting across from BELTUR cafe, near the FUNICULAR ELEVATOR, holding a sign that says Golden City Tours. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure time.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht
by Tour Book Turkey
Choose from 3 available options
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.€60Overview
The Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a luxury yacht departs from Kabatas Pier, except on May 1st when it leaves from Kuruçeşme Pier. The cruise lasts about two hours and fifteen minutes. Passengers board a decorated yacht designed for comfort, which includes indoor areas and a restroom. The yacht sails north along the European side of the Bosphorus Strait, passing landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and Rumeli Fortress. During this time, fruit plates, baklava, cookies, and non-alcoholic drinks like homemade lemonade with fresh mint, tea, and coffee are served. An experienced guide provides commentary on the sights along the route. Upon reaching the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the yacht turns and sails back along the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Passengers see wooden houses and other notable locations, including Beylerbeyi Palace, Anadolu Hisari Fort, and Kuleli Military High School. The cruise continues to the Maiden’s Tower, located on a small island in the middle of the Bosphorus, where passengers can take photographs of the sunset. The yacht then returns to Kabatas Pier, offering views of Istanbul’s old city skyline. Alcoholic beverages and transfers are not included. The tour operates regardless of weather conditions but is not recommended for guests with vertigo or seasickness.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace is an Ottoman-era palace covering 250,000 square meters in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district, located on the left bank at the entrance of the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara. Historically a cove where ships anchored, it was favored as a residence by sultans and overlooks the Bosphorus waters.
Cıragan Palace
Cıragan Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and completed in 1871 on the site of a former wooden summer palace. Made of marble and covering 80,000 square meters, it served as a prison for deposed sultans, including Murat V who was held there for 29 years. After 1908 it was used as the Turkish Parliament until a fire damaged it in 1910. The grounds later became a stadium before the palace was restored and reopened as a hotel in the early 1990s.
Ortakoy
Ortakoy is a district in Beşiktaş on the European side of the Bosphorus, consisting of Ortakoy and Mecidiye neighborhoods. It is located on slopes along a valley opening to the coast and bordered by several districts. Ortakoy Bazaar has souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants and is lively throughout the day, with activity beginning after 10:00 am.
Buyuk Mecidiye Camii
Ortaköy Mosque, officially Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, is a 19th-century Ottoman mosque on the Bosphorus shoreline in Ortaköy. It showcases Baroque architecture and offers views of the Bosphorus Bridge, serving as a well-known landmark and popular photography spot.
Bosphorus Bridge
The Bosphorus Bridge connects Ortaköy on the European side and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. Construction began in 1970 and it opened on October 29, 1973. As the first bridge over the Bosphorus, it facilitates transit between Istanbul’s continents and is a key landmark in the city’s transport network.
Kuruçeşme
Kuruçeşme is a lively neighborhood on the European shore of the Bosphorus, known for its seaside restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. It combines historic charm with modern social venues and offers views of the water and passing boats.
Galatasaray Island
Galatasaray Island is a small private island near Kuruçeşme in the Bosphorus, owned by Galatasaray Sports Club. It serves as a social and recreational area for club members and features swimming pools and waterfront views.
Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy is a historic neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul along the Bosphorus. It is known for colorful wooden Ottoman houses, narrow streets, seaside cafes, and fish restaurants, providing a traditional atmosphere.
Bebek Park
Bebek is a historic neighborhood located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, surrounded by Arnavutköy, Etiler, and Rumeli Hisari. Known for its scenic Bosphorus views, historic buildings including Bogazici University, and upscale restaurants.
Rumeli Fortress
Rumeli Fortress in Sariyer was built in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror opposite Anadolu Hisari. Constructed in three months to defend against naval attacks, it later served as a maritime inspection point. Restored in 1953, it now functions as an open-air theater and museum.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Istanbul’s second Bosphorus bridge, was built between Kavacik and Hisarustu, opening in 1988. It is the 14th largest steel suspension bridge worldwide and carries significant traffic between the Asian and European sides.
Anadolu Hisari Fort
Anadolu Hisari is a fortress built in 1395 on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Beykoz. It consists of a citadel and exterior walls and was converted into a military hospital after the conquest of Istanbul. Restoration from 1991 to 1993 made it a museum, though only the outer walls are accessible.
Kucuksu Pavilion
Kucuksu Pavilion is a small Ottoman summer palace on the Bosphorus coast road between Uskudar and Beykoz, designed by architect Nikogos Balyan. It served as a relaxation spot for sultans and is now a museum showcasing its detailed furnishings and views.
Kuleli Military High School
Kuleli Military High School is a 19th-century historic building on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. Known for its architecture and waterfront location, it has played an important role in Turkish military education.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace is an Ottoman summer palace built in the 1860s beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by Sarkis Balyan, it blends Renaissance, Baroque, and other Eastern and Western styles. The two-story stone building sits on about 2,500 square meters and includes six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam, and one bathroom. The south side was the Imperial Mabeyn and the north side the Valide Sultan's Apartment. The palace also features a large garden and a lily pond.
Üsküdar
Üsküdar is a historic district on Istanbul’s Asian side along the Bosphorus, known for its mosques, seaside squares, and traditional neighborhoods. It offers views of the Maiden’s Tower and the European shore, reflecting Ottoman heritage.
KIz Kulesi
The Maiden’s Tower sits on a small island about 200 meters from Uskudar’s shore. The tower is linked to a legend about a sultan’s daughter who was protected there from a snake bite but was ultimately bitten. It is a distinctive feature of the Bosphorus skyline.
Galata Koprusu
Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn, linking two parts of Istanbul. Since its original construction in 1845, it has been rebuilt several times, most recently after a 1992 fire. It features restaurants, cafes, and pedestrian and tram traffic, serving as a focal point of daily city life.
Galata Tower
Built by the Genoese in 1348, Galata Tower is 66.90 meters tall and was the tallest building in Istanbul at the time. It has been used as a fire observatory and jail. Its conical roof was destroyed in 1875 and restored in the 1960s when the wooden interior was replaced by concrete. Now open to the public, the tower has a restaurant and cafe on the upper floor with panoramic views of the city.
Galataport
Galataport is a modern port and social area in Istanbul’s Karaköy district. It combines historic and contemporary architecture and includes restaurants, cafes, shops, and cultural venues. The underground terminal manages cruise ship traffic.
Meeting point
Meeting Point: KABATAŞ SQUARE (seaside, opposite Kabataş Tram Station) Our team will be waiting across from BELTUR cafe, near the FUNICULAR ELEVATOR, holding a sign that says Golden City Tours. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure time.
End point
Meeting Point: KABATAŞ SQUARE (seaside, opposite Kabataş Tram Station) Our team will be waiting across from BELTUR cafe, near the FUNICULAR ELEVATOR, holding a sign that says Golden City Tours. Please arrive 15 minutes before the cruise departure time.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.