Bosphorus Strait

The cruise sails along the Bosphorus where guests can see many palaces, mosques, towers, fortresses, and waterfront mansions. On the European shore, notable sights include Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Fatih Mehmet Bridge, Galata Bridge, and Galata Port. On the Asian shore, the tour passes Kanlica, Amcazade Huseyin Pasa Yali, Anatolian Fortress, Kucuksu Palace, Kandilli, Kuleli Naval Station, Cengelkoy, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden's Tower.

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace was built by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecit in 1856 on the Bosphorus shore. It is known for combining Western architectural styles with a prominent location overlooking the water.

Ortaköy

Ortaköy is a lively district located beneath the European side of the Bosphorus Bridge. It features a colorful bazaar and a mix of religious buildings including a mosque, church, and synagogue. The area is popular for its nightclubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, pier square, and kumpir shops.

Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge is Istanbul’s oldest bridge, connecting the continents of Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait.

Ortakoy

Ortaköy is known for its vibrant bazaar and the triangle formed by a mosque, church, and synagogue. It lies under the European side of the Bosphorus Bridge and is a common meeting place for locals.

Bebek Sahili

Bebek Sahili is a district believed to have origins dating back to the pre-Christian era as a fishing village once called Hallai, derived from the word Skallai meaning piers.

Rumeli Fortress

Rumeli Fortress is a large structure with three main towers and city walls, situated directly opposite Anadolu Fortress at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting Kavacık and Hisarüstü, forming the second link between Asia and Europe after the Bosphorus Bridge.

Anadolu Hisari Fort

Anadoluhisarı was built between 1393 and 1394 by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I as part of preparations for the siege of Constantinople. The fortress occupies 7,000 square metres (1.7 acres) and is located at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, where the strait is 660 meters (2,170 ft) wide.

Kucuksu Pavilion

Kucuksu Pavilion is located between the Küçüksu and Göksu streams on the Bosphorus. Dating back to the Byzantine period, it was a private garden during the Ottoman era and favored by Sultan Murad IV, who called it “Silver Cypress.”

Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace is notable for its elaborate wooden carvings and gold embroidery, making it one of Istanbul’s remarkable buildings.

KIz Kulesi

The Maiden's Tower, restored in 2000, now operates as a restaurant. Located on an island reachable by a five-minute boat ride from Üsküdar, it is a popular location for marriage proposals. Visitors can pay a toll to visit the tower without dining.

Galata Koprusu

Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul and has appeared in Turkish literature and theater since the late 19th century. The current bridge, the fifth on the site, was built in 1994 and connects Eminönü with Karaköy.

Halic

The Haliç, also called the Golden Horn, is a sea inlet separating the historical peninsula of Istanbul and the Beyoğlu plateau. It is located at the entrance of the Bosphorus on the European side of Istanbul and has been a significant city region since the Ottoman period.

Galata Tower

Built in 528 originally as a lighthouse, Galata Tower overlooks the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It has also served as a dungeon. A local legend says couples who visit the tower together will marry, but if one has visited before, the charm is broken.