Princes Islands Blue Journey Day Trip from Old City Istanbul
by IMCA TRAVEL BOSPHORUS CRUISES DAILY TOURS IN ISTANBUL
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.€40Overview
This full-day Princes Islands Blue Journey departs from Istanbul’s Old City and lasts about seven to nine hours. The tour begins with a boat cruise sailing under the Galata Bridge, a busy connection between historic and modern Istanbul, where passengers can observe locals fishing and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Next, the boat passes the Galata Tower, a 14th-century medieval stone tower known for its historical uses as a watchtower, prison, and observatory, and associated with the 17th-century Ottoman figure Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi. The cruise then continues to Heybeliada, the second largest of the Princes Islands, where visitors have about one hour to explore. Heybeliada is car-free, and guests can rent bicycles or electric vehicles to visit its pine forests, wooden mansions, historic churches, the former Naval High School, and the Ayia Triada Monastery. Waterfront restaurants are available for optional meals. After Heybeliada, the boat heads to Büyükada, the largest Princes Island, offering three hours of free time. Like Heybeliada, Büyükada is car-free, with options to bike or use electric vehicles. Visitors can hike to Ayia Yorgi Church for panoramic views, see historic mansions, relax on beaches, and enjoy local seafood or coffee at cafes. On the return trip to Istanbul, the boat passes the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), a small islet tower at the Bosphorus entrance known for its legends and illuminated appearance at dusk. The cruise also offers views of Topkapı Palace from the water, the former residence of Ottoman sultans with extensive pavilions and courtyards facing the Bosphorus. The tour includes English and Russian-speaking guides and air conditioning on board. Lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup or drop-off are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Galata Koprusu
Passengers sail beneath the Galata Bridge, a historic crossing linking old and modern parts of Istanbul. The area is active with locals fishing and walking, offering panoramic views of the cityscape.
Galata Tower
The boat passes the 14th-century Galata Tower, a medieval stone structure that has served as a watchtower, prison, and observatory. It is associated with Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi, who reportedly flew across the Bosphorus from the tower in the 17th century.
Heybeliada
Visitors have about one hour on Heybeliada, the second largest Princes Island. The island features pine forests, wooden mansions, historic churches, and the former Naval High School. It is car-free, with bicycles or electric vehicles used for transport. Highlights include the Ayia Triada Monastery and waterfront restaurants.
60 min
Buyukada
Büyükada, the largest Princes Island, offers three hours of free time. The island is car-free and visitors can explore by bicycle or electric vehicle. Popular activities include hiking to Ayia Yorgi Church for views, admiring historic mansions, relaxing on beaches, and dining at local seafood restaurants or cafes.
180 min
KIz Kulesi
The cruise passes the Maiden’s Tower, a small tower on an islet at the Bosphorus entrance. Known for its legends and history, it becomes illuminated at dusk, creating a distinctive silhouette.
TopkapI Palace
From the water, guests see Topkapı Palace, the former residence and administrative center of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. The palace complex includes pavilions, courtyards, and walls facing the Bosphorus.
Meeting point
Please note that meeting points and times may vary by up to 1 km and 30 min due to dock availability. Guests should arrive at the address 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please find Naral Boats you will get instructions. Note In the event of circumstances the assigned boat may change
End point
Please note that meeting points and times may vary by up to 1 km and 30 min due to dock availability. Guests should arrive at the address 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please find Naral Boats you will get instructions. Note In the event of circumstances the assigned boat may change
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Princes Islands Blue Journey Day Trip from Old City Istanbul
by IMCA TRAVEL BOSPHORUS CRUISES DAILY TOURS IN ISTANBUL
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.€40Overview
This full-day Princes Islands Blue Journey departs from Istanbul’s Old City and lasts about seven to nine hours. The tour begins with a boat cruise sailing under the Galata Bridge, a busy connection between historic and modern Istanbul, where passengers can observe locals fishing and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Next, the boat passes the Galata Tower, a 14th-century medieval stone tower known for its historical uses as a watchtower, prison, and observatory, and associated with the 17th-century Ottoman figure Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi. The cruise then continues to Heybeliada, the second largest of the Princes Islands, where visitors have about one hour to explore. Heybeliada is car-free, and guests can rent bicycles or electric vehicles to visit its pine forests, wooden mansions, historic churches, the former Naval High School, and the Ayia Triada Monastery. Waterfront restaurants are available for optional meals. After Heybeliada, the boat heads to Büyükada, the largest Princes Island, offering three hours of free time. Like Heybeliada, Büyükada is car-free, with options to bike or use electric vehicles. Visitors can hike to Ayia Yorgi Church for panoramic views, see historic mansions, relax on beaches, and enjoy local seafood or coffee at cafes. On the return trip to Istanbul, the boat passes the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), a small islet tower at the Bosphorus entrance known for its legends and illuminated appearance at dusk. The cruise also offers views of Topkapı Palace from the water, the former residence of Ottoman sultans with extensive pavilions and courtyards facing the Bosphorus. The tour includes English and Russian-speaking guides and air conditioning on board. Lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup or drop-off are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Galata Koprusu
Passengers sail beneath the Galata Bridge, a historic crossing linking old and modern parts of Istanbul. The area is active with locals fishing and walking, offering panoramic views of the cityscape.
Galata Tower
The boat passes the 14th-century Galata Tower, a medieval stone structure that has served as a watchtower, prison, and observatory. It is associated with Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi, who reportedly flew across the Bosphorus from the tower in the 17th century.
Heybeliada
Visitors have about one hour on Heybeliada, the second largest Princes Island. The island features pine forests, wooden mansions, historic churches, and the former Naval High School. It is car-free, with bicycles or electric vehicles used for transport. Highlights include the Ayia Triada Monastery and waterfront restaurants.
60 min
Buyukada
Büyükada, the largest Princes Island, offers three hours of free time. The island is car-free and visitors can explore by bicycle or electric vehicle. Popular activities include hiking to Ayia Yorgi Church for views, admiring historic mansions, relaxing on beaches, and dining at local seafood restaurants or cafes.
180 min
KIz Kulesi
The cruise passes the Maiden’s Tower, a small tower on an islet at the Bosphorus entrance. Known for its legends and history, it becomes illuminated at dusk, creating a distinctive silhouette.
TopkapI Palace
From the water, guests see Topkapı Palace, the former residence and administrative center of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. The palace complex includes pavilions, courtyards, and walls facing the Bosphorus.
Meeting point
Please note that meeting points and times may vary by up to 1 km and 30 min due to dock availability. Guests should arrive at the address 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please find Naral Boats you will get instructions. Note In the event of circumstances the assigned boat may change
End point
Please note that meeting points and times may vary by up to 1 km and 30 min due to dock availability. Guests should arrive at the address 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Please find Naral Boats you will get instructions. Note In the event of circumstances the assigned boat may change
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.