Istanbul: Private Bosphorus Yacht Tour

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Discover Istanbul’s charm on a luxurious Bosphorus yacht cruise. Enjoy stunning views, historic landmarks, and a stop on the Asian Side. Book your adventure now.

Duration: 2 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Karakoy - Departure point. Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Dolmabahce Palace - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Dolmabahçe Palace is an Ottoman palace situated on a 250,000 m² area in Istanbul, Beşiktaş, between Dolmabahçe Street extending from Kabataş to Beşiktaş and the Bosphorus. It is located on the left bank at the entrance to the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara, opposite Uskudar and Kuzguncuk. Dolmabahçe, once a cove where ships anchored in ancient times, became the favored residence of the sultanate, carrying the memory of centuries and the clear splendor of the Bosphorus waters.
Dolmabahce Mosque - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Admire unique views of the most famous waterfront sites and Istanbul’s skyline. Experience the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Take in the spectacular colors of the evening sky and see the city from the water.
Çırağan Palace - The Çırağan Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed by the architect Sarkis Balyan. It is located on the site of a former wooden summer palace built by Selim III in 1800. During the palace’s construction, the wooden structure and the nearby Beşiktaş Mevlevihane were destroyed. Çırağan’s construction was completed in 1871. The palace is made of marble and spans a total area of 80,000 square meters. After Abdulaziz was deposed, he was imprisoned here for years along with his family. After Murat V was deposed, he was also imprisoned here for 29 years with his family. After the declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy in 1908, the palace was used as the House of Parliament, but it was damaged by fire in 1910. The palace grounds were transferred to the Beşiktaş Sports Club and were used for some time as the Şeref Stadium. Toward the beginning of the 1990s, the palace was restored and reopened as a luxury hotel.
Ortakoy - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Ortakoy is a neighborhood and district in Beşiktaş, on the European side of the Bosphorus. Ortakoy district, which consists of Ortakoy and Mecidiye neighborhoods, is a settlement established on the slopes along the valley opening to the coast. The northern border of the district, which is surrounded by Kuruçeşme, Ulus, Levazım, Balmumcu, and Yıldız neighborhoods, is Defterdarburnu. Ortakoy Bazaar is lively at all hours of the day with its “intellectual market,” souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. However, in the early hours of the morning, the market is a bit uninspiring.
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, along with the later Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the ferries operating on the Bosphorus. The idea of building a bridge over the Bosphorus is quite old. After many attempts, the construction of the Bosphorus Bridge started in 1970 and the bridge was opened on 29 October 1973, the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic. This suspension bridge, which is an important link in the Turkish transportation network and is very active at all hours of the day, is also an important crossing point of the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. In addition to transportation, the bridge is one of the important symbols of Istanbul with its unique Bosphorus view.
Arnavutkoy - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Bebek is a historic Istanbul neighborhood, located on the European shores of the Bosphorus, 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 Boğaziçi University and waterside mansions, its beautiful Bosphorus view, and fancy restaurants.
Rumeli Fortress - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (10 minutes)
Located in Sarıyer, Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı) was constructed directly across from the Anadolu Hisarı (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 as an inspection point for maritime traffic on the Bosphorus. Over the centuries, the area inside the fortress filled with small wooden houses, but during restoration work in 1953, these houses were removed. After its restoration, the fortress became known for the numerous concerts given here during the summer months, and it now serves as an open-air theater and museum.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (10 minutes)
Admire unique views of the most famous waterfront sites and Istanbul’s skyline. Experience the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Take in the spectacular colors of the evening sky and see the city from the water. Istanbul’s second bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü) was built between Kavacık and Hisarüstü. 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 - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
The Anatolian Fortress (Anadolu Hisarı) is located in Beykoz (on the Asian Side), at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. It was built in 1395 by Beyazıt 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 Hisarı is an open-air museum, but only the outer walls can be visited, and the road passes just through it.
Kucuksu Pavilion - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (10 minutes)
The Küçüksu Palace, located on the Bosphorus coast road between Üsküdar and Beykoz, is a small Ottoman summer palace ordered by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecit. The palace was designed by the famous architect of the time, Nigoğayos Balyan. With its excellent view of the Bosphorus, Küçüksu attracted many Sultans during the Ottoman period who used the palace for relaxation. Because of the fine quality of furniture, paintings, carpets, and the delicacy in details, the small palace was opened as a museum during the Republican period.
Kuleli Military High School - On a yacht tour at noon on the Bosphorus, relax and admire the imperial elegance of both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. While cruising between continents, take a break to visit Kuleli Military High School, famous for its magnificent architecture, on the Asian side.
Beylerbeyi Palace - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (10 minutes)
The Beylerbeyi Palace (meaning “Lord of Lords”) is an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860s 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-story construction, made of stone, on a high basement. The building was constructed on a land of about 2,500 square meters and 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 are a total of 6 halls, 24 rooms, 1 hamam, and 1 bathroom on two floors. In addition to the fantastic view of the Bosphorus and historical architecture, one should not miss exploring its lily pond and large garden.
Uskudar - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Admire unique views of the most famous waterfront sites and Istanbul’s skyline. Experience the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Take in the spectacular colors of the evening sky and see the city from the water.
Kiz Kulesi - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a distinctive feature of the Bosphorus skyline. Built on a tiny island located about 200m from the shore of Üsküdar, the tower is the subject of many legends. The most popular legend is about a sultan and his daughter. An oracle prophesied that the sultan’s daughter would be killed by a snake bite on her 18th birthday. The sultan decided to protect her from this misfortune and had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus, where she was put to live her life in secrecy and protection. Finally, on her 18th birthday, the sultan brought her a basket of fruits as a birthday gift, not aware of the hidden snake inside. Upon reaching into the basket, the princess got bitten by the snake and died in her father’s arms as foreseen by the oracle. Referring to this legend, the tower got its name: Maiden’s Tower.
Golden Horn - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Admire unique views of the most famous waterfront sites and Istanbul’s skyline. Experience the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Take in the spectacular colors of the evening sky and see the city from the water.
Galataport Istanbul - Guided tour, sightseeing, scenic views along the way (5 minutes)
Admire unique views of the most famous waterfront sites and Istanbul’s skyline. Experience the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Take in the spectacular colors of the evening sky and see the city from the water.
Karakoy - Arrival point (5 minutes). The tour lasts for a full 2 hours, packed with historic sites you can see along the waters of the Bosphorus, and ends by dropping you off at the pier, concluding the tour.

What's Included

Snacks
Tea and coffee

Additional Information

Relax and admire the imperial elegance of Istanbul’s Asian and European sides on a noon yacht tour along the Bosphorus. Cruise between continents, stopping on the Asian Side to visit Kuleli Military School. Experience the enchanting beauty of Istanbul during a cozy journey on the Bosphorus at sunrise. Delight in the shimmering waters and sparkling cityscape. Treat yourself to snacks, cookies, and a variety of teas and coffees. Elevate your getaway with a luxurious yacht cruise showcasing Istanbul’s highlights. Marvel at landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and Maiden’s Tower. Enjoy uninterrupted 360° views with indoor comfort or open-air decks. Relax with traditional tea, coffee, and cookies while floating on the Bosphorus. Invite family or friends for an unforgettable experience with a friendly crew dedicated to your enjoyment.

Location

Kardeşim Sokak

The meeting point is directly across from KaraköyTram Station. Simply cross the traffic lights, and you'll find the meeting point next to Karaköy Turyol Iskelesi, where the staff will be holding a "Discover Bosphorus Tour" sign.

Cancellation Policy

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

From $307 (Per Group)

Select Date and Tickets

up to 12 guests