Panoramic City Tour with Bosphorus Strait Sightseeing Cruise
Description
See Istanbul from dry land and water on this 3-hour sightseeing experience that combines a coach tour with a Bosphorus Strait sightseeing cruise. Travel round the city by coach, passing the Golden Horn, and the vibrant neighborhoods of Balat and Fener. Stroll through Istanbul’s colorful Spice Bazaar with your guide, and then take to the water to see sites like Rumeli Fortress and the Bosphorus Bridge from the comfort of your sightseeing boat!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.
Rumeli Fortress (from the boat - no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.
Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.
Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes
Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian
"Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.
Byzantine City Walls surrounded the Acropolis of Byzantium with 22 kms. long fortification with 96 towers and 9 main gates dating back to the 5th century.
Patriarchate at Fener which is the seat of Orthodox Christianity since Constantine The Great’ s declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
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
- Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible
Reviews(57)
Great experience with our guide Mehmet Akif. Efficient, kind ans very helpful. Thanks
Took this tour as part of our short break in the city. Great opportunity to take in the sights around the banks of the bosphourous and the spice market (always check prices before committing!) Was recommended Balik Durum (fish wrap) from local stall just outside spice market, which was a real treat. Tour of Bosphorous was absorbing and well informed from guide who was very knowledgable and gave us lots of info about history of the city. Having dolphins swimming alongside the tour boat was an added bonus. Great day.
We're so happy that we could be a part of your visit with wonderful memories. We also hope that seeing the dolphins brings you lots of luck :)
The tour was very complete; we took a long trip along the Bosphorus while the guide explained everything relevant that could be seen on the shore from the boat. Then we visited the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque without lines and with very interesting explanations from the guide. It also included a meal for us (the classic lentil soup, kebab meat on a plate with salad, and baklava for dessert; drinks not included in the price). The guide was Akif, very pleasant and he explains everything very well.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for taking the time to share your experience. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Bosphorus cruise, the historical sites, and the included lunch. We are especially happy to pass your kind words on to Akif. He appreciated your feedback. It was a pleasure hosting you in Istanbul, and we hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future. Best regards, The Team
Our guide Akif demonstrated great knowledge on our tour of the mosques and cruise on the Bosphorus. The explanations were very enjoyable. Highly recommended. Top Top 👌🏻
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for your kind words about our guide, Akif. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed both the mosque tour and the Bosphorus cruise, and that Akif’s knowledge and engaging explanations made your experience even more memorable. Your recommendation means a lot to us. It was a pleasure welcoming you, and we hope to see you again on another tour in the future. Warm regards, Gray Line Turkey
Mehmet Akif Öztürk, with license 012889, was our guide and helped my family and my baby have a great time and learn a lot about the culture. He also assisted us with everything we needed, a great guide without a doubt.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that Mehmet Akif helped make your family’s visit enjoyable and memorable. Your kind words about his care, professionalism, and support mean a great deal to us. We hope to welcome you and your family back to Istanbul again soon! Warm regards, Gray Line Turkey
We went in the late afternoon and is a walk that is very well worth it! Istanbul is beautiful and the view from the boat has a different panorama. If possible, try a boat with fewer people and a guide. Because it makes all the difference someone explaining what each place is, etc. Tip: I just didn't like the lunch that was served before at a bridge restaurant. If possible, buy the tour without lunch included.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the Bosphorus cruise and the beautiful views of Istanbul from the sea — it truly offers a unique perspective of the city. Your suggestion about having a guide and a more comfortable boat experience is very valuable, and we completely agree that it enhances the overall tour. We also appreciate your honest feedback regarding the lunch. Your comments have been noted carefully and will be shared with our team to help us improve the experience for our future guests. Thank you once again for your kind recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again on another tour in Istanbul. Warm regards, Plan Tours – Gray Line Turkey
Excellent walk along both the Asian and European coast. A duration of more than 1 hour, worth performing. Specifically, it divides in two parts the city of Istanbul, the old city where most mosques and all historical monuments are located, and the new city. In addition, the Bosphorus connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. This strait has a length of 30 kilometers and its banks are fully populated.
Thank you for choosing us we would like to see you again in Turkey after Corona all the best and stay safe
Unfortunately, the city tour on 02.09.19 was cancelled without notice. The Bosphorus boat trip took place on a normal liner. The e-mail to Plan Tours regarding the shortcomings I received no reply.The fugue was far too expensive . I can't recommend Plan Tours!!!!
Pleasant afternoon, we took waffles before boarding, you will find something to snack on inside with hot and cold drinks To be done again 🛥
Do not fail to take the boat tour through the Bosphorus Strait, you will go through beautiful and historic buildings!! In addition you will see the 2 continents at the same time: Asia and Europe, both connected by Bosphorus Bridge. Imperdible!!
