Bosphorus Cruises

Bosphorus Cruises

Sightseeing & Onboard Meal Options
Sightseeing & Onboard Meal Options
Private Yacht Cruises
Private Yacht Cruises
See Istanbul's Major Landmarks
See Istanbul's Major Landmarks
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What to expect on a Bosphorus cruise?

Group enjoying a Bosphorus yacht cruise in sunny weather.
A luxurious yacht tour
Boat tour on the Bosphorus in Istanbul with cityscape and seagulls in view.
Immersive cultural experience
Private table with drinks and brunch overlooking Bosphorus, Istanbul, during cruise.
Luxury yacht cruising on the Bosphorus with a bridge in the background.
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A smooth boarding

Start your experience at bustling waterfronts like Eminönü or Kabataş, where ferries, yachts, and dinner boats await. Staff greet you warmly, guide you to your table or deck, and get you settled for a scenic voyage.

Comfort designed for every traveler

Choose between open-air decks for unobstructed photos or cozy indoor lounges with panoramic windows and climate control. Private yachts offer plush seating, quiet decks, and personalized service, perfect for special occasions.

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Glide between Europe and Asia

As the boat glides away from the pier, Istanbul immediately transforms. Minarets pierce the sky, palaces stretch along the waterfront, and bridges link Europe and Asia in one sweeping panorama. It’s a view that can only be captured from the Bosphorus.

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Culture and entertainment on the water

Bosphorus dinner cruises feature live shows, like Whirling Dervishes, belly dancing, folk music, or DJs, turning your cruise into a cultural showcase.

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Dining that celebrates Turkish heritage

Brunch cruises greet you with freshly brewed Turkish tea and regional delicacies, while dinner cruises bring a lavish multi-course feast paired with wine or raki. Upgrades include alcoholic drinks and even personalized menus.

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Enhance your experience with upgrades

Many cruises offer optional alcoholic drinks, private tables, private yacht rentals, and more. These upgrades can help create a more intimate, personalized journey, perfect for special occasions or a luxury escape.

Things to know before booking your Bosphorus cruise tickets

  • Peak time slots to book: Dinner and sunset options sell out quickly in peak season (April-October). Book online in advance to secure your preferred slot.
  • Cruise durations & routes: Choose from 90-minute quick sightseeing cruises, 2-hour yacht cruises with drinks and sunset views, 3-hour dinner cruises with entertainment, or full-day trips combining Bosphorus sailing with Princes’ Islands exploration.
  • Daytime vs. evening experiences: Day cruises are ideal for history buffs and photographers, offering crystal-clear views of Istanbul’s skyline. Evening and sunset cruises transform the Bosphorus into a romantic stage, with illuminated bridges and lively entertainment. 
  • Private vs shared: Private yachts cruisesprovide personal crew service, flexibility in departure times, and a completely private experience, best for couples, families, or special events; shared cruises are budget-friendly and more social.
  • Boarding points are central and well-connected: Most cruises depart from Eminönü, Kabataş, or Karaköy, easily accessible by tram, metro, or ferry. Boarding locations are scenic, so plan to arrive early to explore the waterfront neighborhoods before setting sail.
  • Meal & drink options: Sightseeing cruises rarely include meals but may offer snacks, while brunch and dinner cruises feature full spreads or multi-course Turkish feasts; most include soft drinks, with optional alcoholic packages.
  • Onboard entertainment: Dinner cruises often feature Whirling Dervish ceremonies, belly dancing, Turkish folk music, and even DJs or live bands. If entertainment matters to you, prioritize these tickets. If you prefer a quieter ambiance, sightseeing or brunch options are better suited.

Which Bosphorus cruise is best for you?

Find your best Bosphorus cruise match here

CruiseCruise TypeBoarding PointTimingsDurationInclusionsBoat TypeTickets

Bosphorus Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise

Sightseeing

Kabataş Pier (Dentur Avrasya Kabataş)

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10:30am to 4pm

1 hr 30 mins

Audio guide

2 Storey

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2-Hour Bosphorus Luxury Private Yacht Rental in Istanbul

Yacht

Bosphorus Yachts, Beşiktaş

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3pm & 5pm

2 hrs

Complimentary drinks & snacks; Optional meal, alcoholic beverages, or round trip hotel transfers

Luxury yacht

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Bosphorus Luxury Yacht Daytime or Sunset Cruise

Yacht

Kabataş Pier

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10.30am & 2pm

2 hrs 30 mins

Turkish snacks & beverages, live commentary

Luxury yacht

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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show

Dining

Kabataş Pier

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8.30pm

3 hrs

3-course Turkish dinner, live shows & entertainment, DJ; Optional round trip hotel transfers or alcoholic beverages

3 Storey

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Bosphorus & Black Sea 2-Course Lunch Cruise with Swimming Opportunity

Dining

Bosphorus pier outside Dolmabahce Palace

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12.30pm

4 hrs 30 mins

2-course Turkish lunch, beverages, professional tour guide, hotel transfers

2 Storey

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Istanbul Top Museums 3-Day Pass: Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

Sightseeing

Kabataş Pier (Dentur Avrasya Kabataş)

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9am to 5pm

1 hr 30 mins

Beverages - tea or coffee

2 Storey

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What is the Bosphorus Strait?

The Bosphorus Strait is a natural waterway in Turkey that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It also serves as a boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia.

The strait stretches approximately 31 km (19 miles) in length and varies in width from 700 to 3,700 metres. Its strategic importance has made it a crucial route for maritime trade and transportation throughout history, shaping the region's economy, politics, and culture.

Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, the city of Istanbul has flourished since the 7th century BCE as the region's foremost economic, cultural, and trade hub.

About the Bosphorus Strait

Bosphorus Strait cruise map

Bosphorus Cruise route map highlighting key Istanbul landmarks and stops.

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All your Bosphorus cruises boarding points

Bosphorus cruise routes explained

Your Bosphorus cruise check-in & boarding guide

  • Arrival time: Try to arrive at least 20 minutes early. If you’ve booked a dinner cruise or a private yacht, plan to get there 30 minutes in advance so there’s plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the service setup.
  • Tickets & ID: You can show either a mobile voucher or a printed ticket when boarding, and do carry a photo ID if you plan to purchase drinks from the bar.
  • Dress code: Dress comfortably for sightseeing cruises, but if you’re joining a dinner or luxury experience, smart casual attire is a great choice to match the onboard setting.
  • Security: Security checks are light, but bags may be scanned. Alcohol or large luggage isn’t generally allowed.
  • Boarding Process: Dining cruises have reserved tables, while sightseeing cruises are mostly first-come-first-served, so arriving early is a good idea if you want your pick of seats.
  • Luggage Rules: Keep your packing light, as small bags are fine, but large suitcases might not be accepted onboard.

What you’ll see on your Bosphorus cruise

Dolmabahce Palace
Bosphorus cruise ship with Hagia Sophia in the background, Istanbul.
Bosphorus yacht cruising past Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.
Blue Mosque minarets with Istanbul skyline and Bosphorus in the background.
Bosphorus Bridge
Galata Tower rising above Istanbul's historic skyline by the waterfront.
Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi)
Ortaköy Mosque
Beylerbeyi Palace
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Rumeli Hisarı Fortress
Ciragan Palace
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Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace extends along the shoreline with an uninterrupted facade over 600 meters long. Its ornate gates, grand staircases, and neoclassical design are clearly visible from the boat, showcasing the scale and luxury of the Ottoman Empire’s 19th-century residence.

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Hagia Sophia

When seen from the Bosphorus, Hagia Sophia’s massive dome dominates the skyline, framed by four tall minarets. The building’s scale is even more impressive when viewed from the water, where you can see how it overlooks the historic peninsula.

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Topkapi Palace

Perched above the shoreline, Topkapi Palace can be seen peaking through treetops. Its long defensive walls, towers, and terraced gardens cascade toward the water, giving you a sense of the size of the Ottoman court.

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Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque’s six elegant minarets rise gracefully beside Hagia Sophia, its perfect symmetry most striking from the water. Perched near the shoreline, it watches over the Bosphorus like a guardian of old Istanbul.

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Bosphorus Bridge

Gliding under the Bosphorus Bridge is a thrill as its vast span connects Europe and Asia with a sweep of steel. At night, you can see its LED lights shimmer on the water.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower rises above the rooftops of Beyoglu. From the water, its cylindrical stone form and conical roof are clearly visible, standing out as one of the oldest and most distinctive features of the skyline.

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Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi)

Sitting on a small islet in the Bosphorus, the Maiden’s Tower is fully visible from every angle as the boat passes. Its compact structure and lighthouse form make it one of the most striking landmarks viewed from the water.

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Ortaköy Mosque

Located right at the water’s edge, Ortaköy Mosque can be seen in its entirety from the boat. Its bright facade, domes, and minarets appear almost level with the Bosphorus, framed by the nearby bridge behind it.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Located on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus, Beylerbeyi Palace is a fusion of Ottoman and European architectural styles. Its ornate walls enclose opulent interiors, offering a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of Ottoman rulers.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

Named after the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge spans the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul and connects the European and Asian sides of the city. With its distinct silhouette, it is an iconic landmark of Istanbul's skyline.

Rumeli Hisarı Fortress

Rumeli Hisarı Fortress is a historical stronghold situated on the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. Constructed by Sultan Mehmed II in 1452, it served as a strategic fortification during the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Constantinople. Today, it is one of the city's most prominent historical landmarks that can be seen on a Bosphorus cruise.

Ciragan Palace

Çırağan Palace is a former 19th-century Ottoman palace that has now been converted into a luxury hotel. Constructed in the Neo-Baroque style, it features lavish architecture, grand halls, marble columns, ornate decorations, and lush gardens.

Plan your Bosphorus cruise experience

Frequently asked questions about Bosphorus cruises

The duration of a Bosphorus cruise depends on the type of experience you choose. Sightseeing cruises are typically between 1 hour and 2 hours long, while yacht tours last for approximately 2 hours. Cruises that include a meal are typically around 3 hours long. There are also longer cruises lasting about 4 to 6 hours or even the full day.

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