Bosphorus Morning Cruise on Yacht: Immersive Journey with Ottoman Palace Visit
5.0
88 Ratings
Beyoğlu
Embark on a Bosphorus Morning Cruise on a luxury yacht to explore Istanbul from a unique perspective. Visit Ottoman palaces, admire the stunning views, and indulge in snacks and drinks.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Bosphorus Strait - The Dolmabahçe Palace, a blend of various European architectural styles, was built between 1843 - 1856 by Karabet Balyan, the court architect of Sultan Abdulmecid. The three –storied palace built on a symmetrical plan has 285 rooms and 43 halls. The palace has survived intact with its original decorations, furniture, and the silk carpets and curtains. Its surpasses all other palaces in the world in wealth and magnificence.
  • Dolmabahce Palace - The Dolmabahçe Palace, a blend of various European architectural styles, was built between 1843 - 1856 by Karabet Balyan, the court architect of Sultan Abdulmecid. The three –storied palace built on a symmetrical plan has 285 rooms and 43 halls. The palace has survived intact with its original decorations, furniture, and the silk carpets and curtains. Its surpasses all other palaces in the world in wealth and magnificence.
  • Çırağan Cd. No:32 - The Cıragan Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed by the architect Sarkis Balyan. It is located in the place of a former wooden summer palace built by Selim Ill in 1800. In the course of the palace’s construction the wooden structure and the nearby Besiktas Mevlevihane were destroyed. Cıragan’s construction was completed in 1871. The palace is made of marble and is spread out over a total area of 80,000 square meters.

Nowadays it is converted to a luxury hotel by Kempinski Hotel Branch.

  • Ortakoy - Ortakoy is a neighborhood and district in the district of Beşiktas, on the European side of the Bosphorus. Ortakoy district, which consists of Ortakoy and Mecidiye districts, is a settlement established on the slopes along the valley opening to the coast.

Ortakoy Bazaar is lively at all hours of the day with its “intellectual market”, souvenir shops, cafes, bars and restaurants inside the bazaar. But in the early hours of the morning, the market is a bit uninspiring. The movement starts after 10:00 am…

  • Bosphorus Bridge - The feet of the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the two suspension bridges on the Bosphorus, are located in Ortaköy on the European side and in Beylerbeyi on the Anatolian side. The Bosphorus Bridge, the first bridge built on the Bosphorus, provides access between the two sides of the city, together with the later Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the ferries operating on the Bosphorus.

This is the first bridge of istanbul that connects Europe to Asia and the only bridge in the world which connects Europe to Asia

  • Bebek Sahili - Bebek is a historic Istanbul neighborhood, located on the European shores of the Bosporus, surrounded by Arnavutkoy, Etiler and Rumeli Hisari. The direct translation of the word Bebek is baby which is a reference to the neighborhood’s attractive positioning on the Bosphorus. A popular residential district since the Ottoman rule, Bebek’s population reflects the diverse society of the time. Today with its historical buildings such as Bogazici University and waterside mansions, with it’s beautiful Bosphorus view and fancy restaurants.

Bebek is the Beverly Hills of Istanbul with its life style.

  • Rumeli Fortress - Located in Sariyer, Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisari) was constructed directly across from the Anadolu Hisari (the Anatolian Fortress). Construction began in 1453 at the order of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror placing the fortress at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. The construction was completed in the short span of three months. Before the conquest of Istanbul, it was used to protect against naval attacks. After the conquest it was used to as an inspection point for maritime traffic on the Bosphorus.
    Its now serves as an open-air theater and museum.

  • Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Istanbul’s second bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Koprusu) was built between Kavacik and Hisarustu. Construction began in 1986 and the bridge opened on the 3rd of July 1988. The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is the 14th largest steel suspension bridge in the world.
    Along with the Bosphorus Bridge and the city’s ferries, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge carries a significant portion of Istanbul’s trans-Bosphorus traffic. It has also become an unforgettable piece of the Istanbul skyline.

  • Anadolu Hisari Fort - The Anatolian Fortress (Anadolu Hisari) is located in in Beykoz (on the Asian Side), at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. It was built in 1395 by Beyazit I and is made up of a citadel and its exterior castle walls. After the conquest of Istanbul, it lost much of its strategic importance and was converted into a military hospital. Over time the area around the castle became settled. Today waterfront houses and old mansions are dispersed among the castle’s ruins. During restoration work which lasted from 1991-1993 it was converted into a museum however it is not open to the public. Today, Anadolu Hisari is an open-air museum but only outer walls can be visited, and the road passes just through it.

  • Kucuksu Pavilion - This is an Ottoman Pavilion used by Emperors as an hunting lodge. Now it is used as a museum. We will enter the museum and experience the Ottoman architecture and history.

  • Beylerbeyi Palace - The Beylerbeyi Palace (It means -Lord of Lords”) is an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860’s on the shores of the Bosphorus. Today it lies right under the Bosphorus bridge. The building was designed by the well-known architect Sarkis Balyan and it combines elements of renaissance, baroque and other styles from both the East and West. The main building of the complex is a two-store construction, made of stone, on a high basement. The building was constructed on a land of about 2,500 square meters sits on a rectangular floor area. The South side of the Palace was organized as Imperial Mabeyn and The North side as Valide Sultan’s Apartment. There is total 6 halls, 24 rooms, 1 hamam and 1 bathroom at two stores.
    In addition to the fantastic view of the Bosphorus and historical architecture, one should not miss exploring its lily pond and large garden.

  • Galata Tower - Built by Genoese in 1348, the nine-story tower is 66.90 meters, and it was the tallest building in the city when built.
    In the Ottoman Era, the tower has been used for different purposes such as a fire observatory and a jail. During its long history, the tower witnessed a lot, but the most striking occasion undoubtedly was in 1632, when Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi glided from the top of the Galata Tower across the Bosphorus to Uskudar with his self-constructed wings. During a storm in 1875, the conic roof of the tower was destroyed and was not restored during the rest of the Ottoman Era. In 1960s the conical cap has been restored and the wooden interior was replaced by a concrete structure. Since then, the tower is open to public. Today there is a restaurant and cafe on its upper floor. With its essential role in Istanbul’s skyline, Galata Tower is the optimum spot to catch a panoramic view of Istanbul.

  • Galata Koprusu - The history of the Galata Bridge (Galata Koprusu), one of Istanbul’s most exciting spots, begins in 1845. The bridge, which spans the two sides of the Golden Horn, has gone through many changes over the years. Most recently the bridge was damaged by fire in 1992 and a new bridge was built in its place. The beloved old bridge was moved to Halic. The Galata Bridge is an important symbol of Istanbul and has an important place in the daily life of the city, as well as in its literature and popular culture. With its restaurants, cafes and hookah lounges below and the tramway and pedestrian traffic passing above it offers a splendid view of the city, particularly in the evening.
    Together with the street peddlers, people fishing from the bridge and the ferries docking across the way it one of the most magnificent places to get a picture of daily life in Istanbul.

  • Halic - The shores of the Golden Horn, one of the popular parts of the historical peninsula, are among the must-see places on your Istanbul trip. Long and narrow, it also has a horn-shaped geographical structure. For this reason, it is also called the Golden Horn. The Golden Horn is also one of the most important trade centers of old Istanbul. Below you can find information about popular places, places to visit, activities and transportation on the shores of the Golden Horn.

  • KIz Kulesi - Built by Genoese in 1348, the nine-story tower is 66.90 meters, and it was the tallest building in the city when built.
    In the Ottoman Era, the tower has been used for different purposes such as a fire observatory and a jail. During its long history, the tower witnessed a lot, but the most striking occasion undoubtedly was in 1632, when Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi glided from the top of the Galata Tower across the Bosphorus to Uskudar with his self-constructed wings. During a storm in 1875, the conic roof of the tower was destroyed and was not restored during the rest of the Ottoman Era. In 1960s the conical cap has been restored and the wooden interior was replaced by a concrete structure. Since then, the tower is open to public. Today there is a restaurant and cafe on its upper floor. With its essential role in Istanbul’s skyline, Galata Tower is the optimum spot to catch a panoramic view of Istanbul.

What's Included
  • Cookies
  • Homemade Lemonade With Mint
  • Snacks (Mini Sandwiches)
  • Tea, Coffee, Water
  • Fruit Plate
  • Professional Tour Guide
What's Not Included
  • Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
  • Alcoholic Beverages
Additional Information

Join us for a unique and unforgettable experience on the beautiful waters of the Istanbul Bosphorus. Our Bosphorus Afternoon Cruise tour will take you on a luxury yacht to see some of the most iconic and historic sights of Bosphorus Strait in the city. A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 35 people can take part in this tour.

This tour a unique and intimate way to explore Istanbul. The tour allows you to see the city from a different perspective. We will experience the Ottoman architecture, and enjoy the magnificent views. We also serve some snacks and soft drinks for you.

Location
Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:34
Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi
We will meet in front of the gas station TÜRKİYE PETROLLERİ next to Kabataş Pier.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(88 Ratings)
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O3183tmmuhammads
May 24, 2024
Syauqi - Nur and team is amazing. Best experience to enjoy turkey from the strait. The food and drink is delicious. Don’t skip this chance when you are in Turkey
Review provided by Tripadvisor
434alyssaz
May 24, 2024
Lovely tour! - We had a great time! The crew was very friendly and brought us multiple snacks and blankets, which was much appreciated. Would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brudertasim
May 22, 2024
if i was the water - It was amazing. perfekt trip to see istanbul. the weather was perfekt and the food delicious. i would recommend everyone to do this if the come in istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tourist61254006404
May 22, 2024
The Bosphorus - The view of the Bosphorus is incredible, we discovered the stories of the historic buildings thanks to the captain
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zakariase2024
May 21, 2024
Bosphorus cruise - Wonderful experience with much interesting information about the history of Turkey and many tasty snacks. The boat nd crew were also great, and extra thanks to Shah and Jelo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspire39154843022
May 21, 2024
Excellent - Very good nice views. Jello and Shah are good guides. It is possible to see many parts of Istanbul. The boat is nice and spacious
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Severinel703
May 20, 2024
Relaxation - The views were superb and we took some great photos. It would have just been necessary to have an audio guide in French!!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisags6216qv
May 20, 2024
Yacht - The experience was amazing! The food and beverages were tasty and fresh! Totally worth the money paid😁 thank you for the amazing trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
811nimaj
May 18, 2024
Great - Great everything , amazing crew, amazing boat, all good. Try this boat i recomment highly much and i will love to see bosphorus and have fun with goldencity tours
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curious26433414710
May 20, 2024
Bosphorus river cruise - Amazing cruise trip. Awesome views from both the Asian and European side. Had a great time and enjoyed the journey. Hospitality by the staff was great as they gave us some snacks and Turkish tea on the cruise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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