See both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul on a 2.5-hour boat cruise of the Bosphorus Strait. Get the opportunity to visit an Ottoman palace on the Asian side.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Mobile ticketing: Use your phone or print your voucher
Duration 3 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Instant confirmation
Live tour guide: English

Highlights

Visit the 19th-century Küçüksu Palace hunting lodge of the Ottoman Empire
Admire boat the Asian and European coasts of Istanbul
Sail past historic monuments such as Galata Tower and the Dolmabahçe Palace

Full description

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in central Istanbul, and then go to Eminonu Pier to embark on a boat trip along the Bosphorus Strait. Explore the sights of the European side of the city for around 1 hour, passing historical monuments such as Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque and the fortress of Rumelihisarı, built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in the 15th century. Continue to the second bridge to head to the Asian side of Istanbul. Visit Küçüksu Palace, built in the 19th century as a hunting lodge for the Ottoman sultans. Make your way back to the city center, following the Asian coast, and get a look at the Anatolian Fortress (Anadoluhisarı) and Turkey's oldest military school at Kuleli Military High School. Admire the elaborate Beylerbeyi Palace, built as a summer residence for the Ottoman rulers in the1860s, and see the Maiden’s Tower guarding the entrance to the Bosphorus Strait as you get ready to disembark.

Includes

Entrance fee for the museum
English-speaking guide
Hotel pick-up

Food and beverages on the boat
Hotel drop off

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All required protective equipment is provided
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Traveler requirements

You will receive a mandatory temperature check

Prepare for the activity

Important information

Know before you go

Please note that Küçüksu Palace is closed from Monday through Thursday. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays it will be replaced with the fortress of Rumelihisarı, and on Wednesdays it will be replaced with the Maiden's Tower
Children aged 2 or younger can join free of charge
Please note that no student discount is available for this tour

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.2 /5

based on 27 reviews

Review summary

Value for money
4.1/5
Safety
4.3/5
Service
4.1/5
Organization
4/5

Sort by:

Good but expensive

August 14, 2018

Fantastic

July 4, 2018

Not worth the money.

The cruise was nice but it was quite pricey for what it was. Our hotel was too far away for the hotel pick up so we made our way there ourselves. We had issues initially because the guy behind the desk couldn't speak any English and kept yelling and shooing me away every time I'd try to ask him a question so we had no idea if we were even in the right place. When a boat approached at the tour time we assumed this was it (we hoped!) and started to board, someone fast approached and asked if we had paid for this so I showed my ticket and he let us on. A short while later he came back and asked to see payment confirmation which I showed and he left us to it. It was a very strange experience because no one was there checking tickets or anything like that. The tour itself was nice, but the tour guide disappeared often so there were moments of silence which was strange. I felt the price was too extortionate for what it was and not worth the money.

May 7, 2018