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Tours/Istanbul/Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore

Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore

3.0(4)Istanbul4 hours
VIATOR1.0(2)TRIPADVISOR5.0(2)
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
+21 photos
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore
Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore

At a glance

Duration
4 hours
Price from
$160 / person
Location
Istanbul, Türkiye
Rating
3.0 / 5 · 4 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 20
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
TRAVELIUM
Meeting point
Hereke Halı (Hereke Carpets)Meeting Point Coordinates (Latitude & Longitude): 41.010233027453424, 28.972806646594854

Description

Imagine a day being on a boat enjoying the breath taking views of Bosphorus shores as a poet once described "God's beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires" where two continents meet. Ortaköy, Bebek, Beşiktaş, Dolmabahçe, Çırağan Palace, Maiden's Tower, Yali (wooden houses of the wealthy) and Beylerbeyi Palace are the highlights of the city's fairy tale like skyline from waiting to be seen.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
1:15 PM
Next available
Sun, Oct 11
Adult (ages 12+)
$160
Child (ages 3–10)
$69
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.

Tour Options

Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore

Itinerary

Pass by

Get on a public boat to sail along the Bosphorus. A poet once described the Bosporus as “God’s beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires”. This straight, separating (and connecting) to two continents that form the two faces of a city, take its name from a mythological legend. Ever since those ancient times, it had marveled people with its beauty. The cruise of the Bosporus will start at Sariyer or Kabataş piers; and while cruising along the Asian and European shores, you will be surprised to see the harmony of Ottoman and modern architecture; as well as having an opportunity to see the major highlights of the city’s fairy tale-like skyline from the sea.

Pass by

Maiden’s Tower: Built to protect a Princess, Maiden’s Tower became a pearl on the Bosphorus Strait. In spite of its beauty, Tower failed to keep the princess alive, but stood still for the visitors to pay a visit.

Ortakoy
Pass by

Ortaköy (literally Middle Village in Turkish) in Greek known as Agios Fokas (Άγιος Φωκάς) in the Byzantine period and Mesachorion (Μεσαχώριον, meaning "middle village") later, is a neighbourhood, formerly a small village, within the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, located in the middle of the European bank of the Bosphorus. Ortaköy was a cosmopolitan area during the Ottoman era and the first decades of the Turkish Republic, with communities of Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Today the neighbourhood still hosts many different religious (Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, and other Christian) structures. It is also a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, with its art galleries, night clubs, cafés, bars, and restaurants.

Rumeli Fortress
Pass by

Rumelihisarı (also known as Rumelian Castle and Roumeli Hissar Castle) or Boğazkesen Castle (meaning "Strait-Blocker Castle" or literally "Strait-Cutter Castle") is a medieval fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey, on a series of hills on the European banks of the Bosphorus. The fortress also lends its name to the immediate neighborhood around it in the city's Sarıyer district. Conceived and built between 1451 and 1452 on the orders of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, the complex was commissioned in preparation for a planned Ottoman siege on the then-Byzantine city of Constantinople,[1] with the goal of cutting off maritime military and logistical relief that could potentially come to the Byzantines' aid by way of the Bosphorus Strait, hence the fortress's alternative name, "Boğazkesen", i.e. "Strait-cutter" Castle. Its older sister structure, Anadoluhisari ("Anatolian Fortress"), sits on the opposite banks of the Bosporus.

Yenikoy
Pass by

The suburb is home to several exclusive yalıs that used to be owned by Ottoman era prominent figures. The small Osman Reis mosque was built by Alexander Vallaury in 1904 on the site of a 17th-century mosque. Vallaury also designed the Ahmed Afif Paşa Yalısı behind it, where Agatha Christie stayed as a guest in 1933 while writing Murder on the Orient Express. There are several Christian churches in the neighbourhood. The Greek Orthodox church of Dormition of the Mother of God (Panayia Kumariotisa Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi, Koybaşı Cad. No. 108) was built in 1837 at the request of sultan Mahmud II′s personal physician Stefanos Karatheodori (Greek: Στέφανος Καραθεοδωρής). His and his son Alexander Karatheodori Pasha′s tombstones are next to the wooden bell tower west of the church.

Pass by

Tarabya (Ottoman Turkish: Tarabiye‎, Greek: Θεραπειά, romanized: Therapiá) is a neighbourhood in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is located on the European shoreline of the Bosphorus strait, between the neighbourhoods of Yeniköy and Kireçburnu. It was the site of the ancient town of Pharmakia. In the early days of the last siege of Constantinople in 1453, Ottoman forces captured Therapia - then a minor Byzantine fortification. Some 40 surrendered soldiers were impaled. Tarabya was where the foreign embassies had their summer houses during the Ottoman period, and today the area has several European consulates. Sultan Selim II used to enjoy eating fish in this area and asked his grand vizier, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, to build a palace for him where he can spend the summers. It is believed that Sultan Selim II called his palace Tarabiye which means "pleasure", and the name of the neighbourhood (Tarabya) has derived from the name of this palace.

Misir Carsisi
Admission not included60 min

Standing on roots from 15th Century, bazaar holds its reputation as one of the eldest covered bazaars in the world.

What's included

Included
Guided tour of Bosphorus on a Public Cruise Boat & Spice Market.
Air-conditioned vehicle
English-Speaking & Professional Tour Guide.
Transportation from/to the Meeting Point.
Admission Fees to Cruise Boat.
Not included
Gratuities
Admission Fees to Musuems.
Food & Beverages.
Personal Expenses.

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

3.0
4 reviews
5
2
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
2

How it compares in Istanbul

  • Starting price $160 is 40% above the typical $114 for tours of similar length in Istanbul

Excurgo comparison of 3,625 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation

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

1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore take?

Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.

How much does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore cost?

Prices start at $160 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 1:15 PM.

How much does Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore cost for children?

Children aged 3–10 pay from $69, adults from $160. Infants go free.

Can I cancel Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore for free?

Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Hereke Halı (Hereke Carpets). Meeting Point Coordinates (Latitude & Longitude): 41.010233027453424, 28.972806646594854. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.

What languages is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore offered in?

The experience is available in EN.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Is Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise Along the Shore worth it?

Travellers rate it 3.0 out of 5 across 4 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by TRAVELIUM.

Reviews(4)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

J
Jackie_P
August 25, 2025 · via Viator
Shocking waste of money.

Buyers beware! This is a large public ferry trip, cost 250 lira pp [AUD 10] at the ticket office for which you receive private transfer and a guide who is not necessary. We paid Viator AUD 363 for two… on the basis of a photo depicting the bow of a boat with happy people on it so we expected a small group only. If you want to do this tri- get the team and go to the ticket office.

H
Hamad_R
July 20, 2021 · via Viator
A ripoff trip

It was a ripoff - Trip was good but we paid 25Euro per person for a boat, but the ticket for the ferry was 25 trl. Though there was an extra servise of pick and drop from the holton hotel that was just 10 min away and a guide but its not worth it - And it was written 4hrs trip but it was only 1 1/2 hrs on boat. The price wasnt fair at all there should be more and clear details for this trip. I will not recomend it at all - we would like to claim some of our money - its not ok to pay 10 times more for this booking

1 people found this helpful
M
MSMS321
June 8, 2020 · via Tripadvisor
Memorable tour

Last year I stayed at Conrad Hotel and we did the Bosphorus tour around the shore with the guide Sevinç Kalik.the tour was a memorable one with lots of information provided by the guide Sevinc from Travelium company.

1 people found this helpful
Y
Y1069JWanthonyc
June 5, 2020 · via Tripadvisor
Brilliant tour with Imran

My wife and I had a tour with Imran. It was brilliant. He had so much knowledge of the city and could answer all of our questions. He was very nice it was like travelling with a friend. Imran helped us gain great memories for life!

3 people found this helpful
$160/ person
3.0(4)
Duration4 hours
LanguagesEN
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

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

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
Excurgo support

Excurgo earns a commission from Viator when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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