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Tours/Istanbul/True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul

True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul

4.6(11)Istanbul9 hours
VIATOR1.0(1)TRIPADVISOR5.0(10)
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
+22 photos
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul

At a glance

Duration
9 hours
Price from
$236 / person
Rating
4.6 / 5 · 11 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 75
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Meeting point
We meet you in front of Dolmabahce Palace.
Confirmation
Instant

Prices checked on Sep 12, 2026Things to do in Istanbul

Description

Go beyond Istanbul’s top attractions and discover more of the city on this multi-faceted full-day Istanbul bus and boat sightseeing tour. The full-day tour and cruise of Istanbul includes an exploration of Dolmabahce Palace and the Bosphorus. We first drive to Dolmabahce Palace, which is stuffed with lavish chandeliers, gold and marble, this ornate sultans’ residence will astound you with its opulence! Traveling between the sights by air-conditioned coach, visit Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side to witness the breathtaking panoramas over the Bosphorus. Then, drive across the Bosphorus Bridge, the vast suspension bridge that connects Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus Strait. Heading to Pierre Loti Hill to see the city from a different angle, flying over by cable car afterwards. Now time to enjoy the city by the sea, you will hop on board to have buffet lunch served on our boat. We will start cruising from Golden Horn and go all the way to the Black Sea throught Bosphorus.

Tour Options

True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

30 min

Named after the well-known French novelist Pierre Loti, this hill offers perfect views of the Golden Horn. It’s also home to a famous café that bears the same name. Loti lived in Istanbul for many years and was a big fan of the city. The café is a meeting point for lovers and couples, and has featured in many Turkish romance films.

Pass by

The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is situated in the Eyüp district of Istanbul, outside the city walls near the Golden Horn. The present building dates from the beginning of the 19th century

Admission included60 min

It stands on the European shore of the Bosphorus and the with its various dependencies forms almost a little town, its gardens extending for a mile or more along the water's edge. Though the exterior of the Dolmabahce Palace, built by Sultan Abdülmecit (1839-1861) exhibits a variety of architectural styles, mainly baroque, and is decorated with a profusion of ornament, the general effect is not unpleasing, and the site is remarkably well-chosen

Pass by

Which was inaugurated on October 29, 1973 on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, has the longest span in Europe and the fourth in the world. This suspension bridge has a total length of 1560 metres (1706 yards) and a width of 33.4 metres (110ft). The span between pylons is 1074 metres (1175 yards) and the clearance above sea level is 64 metres (210ft). The constrnction of the steel box-girder suspension was carried out by a British-german consortium. The second bridge to link Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus will be completed in 1989 between Emirgan and Kanlica.

45 min

Çamlıca Hill, aka Big Çamlıca Hill to differentiate from the nearby Little Çamlıca Hill, is a hill in Üsküdar district of Istanbul, Turkey. Situated on the Asian part of the city at 268 m above sea level, Çamlıca Hill has a panoramic view of the southern part of Bosphorus and the mouth of Golden Horn

Pass by

The Golden Horn, also known by its modern Turkish name, Haliç, is a major urban waterway and the primary inlet of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.

Admission included4 min

The Bosporus or Bosphorus is a narrow, natural strait and an internationally significant waterway located in northwestern Turkey. It forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia, and divides Turkey by separating Anatolia from Thrace.

Pass by

The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosphorus strait. When completed in 1988, it was the 5th-longest suspension bridge span in the world; today it is the 24th.

Pass by

Rumelishisari Fortress - (Rumelihisari Castle) At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus stands the Rumelihisarr Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror on the European shore. The Sultan himself on the 26th day of March 1452 laid the foundation stone of the Fortress with a view to controlling the passage of the ships through the Bosphorus and using it as a base for his attack on the city.

Pass by

Anadolukavağı, also known as Anadolu Kavağı, is a neighborhood of Beykoz district in İstanbul Province, Turkey. "Anadolu" is the Turkish name for Anatolia, and "Kavak" means "control post" in Ottoman Turkish referring to the strategical position of the location on the Bosporous.

Pass by

The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is a bridge for rail and motor vehicle transit over the Bosphorus strait, to the north of two existing suspension bridges in Istanbul, Turkey. It was initially named the Third Bosphorus Bridge.

30 min

Beykoz, also known as Beicos and Beikos, is a district in Istanbul, Turkey at the northern end of the Bosphorus on the Anatolian side. Beykoz includes everything from the streams of Küçüksu and Göksu up to the opening of the Bosphorus into the Black Sea, and the villages in the hinterland as far as the river of Riva.

Pass by

Situated on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus between the villages of Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, the palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1865. Beylerbeyi Palace seen from the Bosphorus floats like a white vision in a fairy tale. It is the most extravagant royal house of the 19th Century on which millions were spent. It is built completely of marble, surpassing all the Palaces of European Kings. Empress Eugénie, during her visit of 1869 stayed in this palace as well as Czar Nicholas Il of Russia.

Pass by

The summer Palace of Kucuksu, sometimes called the Palace of Göksu, is situated between the villages of Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus. The Kucuksu Palace was first built by Mahmut I in 1749. Later it underwent a restoration during the reigns of Selim Ill and Ahmet Il. It was renovated by Sultan Abdülmecit in 1857. Sultan Abdülaziz gave the palace a new face-lift and had it refurbished and redecorated. It is a small but elegant edifice, stretching along the lip of the Bosphorus, surrounded by intricately cast iron railings. Waters and waves of the Bosphorus wash its terraces of glittering marble and sometimes penetrate their latticed and mysterious recesses.

Pass by

About 180 metres away from the shores of Üsküdar stands this tower which bears two different names. Europeans who named it the Leander's Tower thought that it was here where Leander was drowned while attempting to swim the Bosphorus to reach his beloved Hero, the priestess of Aphrodite.

Highlights

Lunch
Entrance ticket to Dolmabahce Palace
Air-conditioned vehicle
Cable car tickets

What's included

Included
Lunch
Entrance ticket to Dolmabahce Palace
Air-conditioned vehicle
Cable car tickets
Not included
Drinks
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

All the guests can be picked up from hotels located in Fatih and Beyoglu areas.

Traveller Ratings

4.6
11 reviews
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10
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently asked questions

How long does True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul take?

True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 15 stops.

How much does True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul cost?

Prices start at $236 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.

Can I cancel True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul for free?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered. All the guests can be picked up from hotels located in Fatih and Beyoglu areas. Pickup points include MEET_AT_DEPARTURE_POINT, CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyEImGbFa+5CBKbpmTZC40Eg=.

What languages is True Discovery: Full Day Tour and Cruise of Istanbul 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 75 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Reviews(11)

S
Soul_Traveler87
June 4, 2022
The Very Best of Istanbul

If you only have one day in Istanbul, this is THE tour that you need to book. In 8 hours, you will see a wider swath of the city than many locals see in the course of a year. You’ll start by heading to Belgradkapi then to Pierre Loti Hill followed by a quick foray to the Asian side of the city and then a walk though of Dolmabahçe Palace. But the pinnacle of the tour is undeniably the 3 hours you will spend sailing the length of the Bosporus Strait from the mouth of the Black Sea down to the Sea of Marmara (with a quick stopover in Anadolu Kavaǧi). Lunch on a yacht at the crossroads of history and global geopolitics? What more could one ask for in a day-tour? No matter how much time you spend in Istanbul, this excursion will surely be among the most idyllic moments that you spend in the city.

2 people found this helpful
A
Aleksandra_P
July 13, 2021
Cancelled last minute

The trip was cancelled at 10:30 pm, and I wasn't able to book another trip. Money not refunded yet. Very disappointed

S
Sam_pil
August 11, 2020
Fantastic tour which takes in all the sites in a day

Fantastic tour . Guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Visited all the main historical attractions plus a few more . Lunch included as well as transfer back to hotel. Relaxing yacht boat trip along the Bosphorus to end the day with a selection on non alcoholic drinks and nibbles. Long day but throughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend

Operator response

Dear Sam, Thank you very much taking part of our Istanbul city tour and Bosphorus yacht cruises. Indeed, we loved to host you on our tours and we wish to see you back in Istanbul. With warm wishes,

L
LeylanSc
June 17, 2020
We have been very nice time

We have been treated very nice, it was very well organised. Connected via a phone call and it arranged right away (however we were 4, no discount 😀), meet with the guide clearly indicated meeting point and have been seen so much things on the city. I guess it is the only tour in Istanbul you could see both Eurepean ans Asian side and have also both land and cruise tour. Thank you very much for this very nice day

S
sonere886
June 14, 2020
All day istanbul Cruise and tour

We had a fantastic time on Bosphorus Cruise and İstanbul City tour last September. The weather was very good and that helped us to enjoy our day too. We had a limited time and were able to explore both İstanbul main attractions and sights along the Bosphorus on land and water.

E
Emre_Ozdinletir
May 17, 2020
Our experience was fantastic

Our experience was fantastic. Would definitely recommend to anyone traveling to Istanbul.Sinan, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting and fun. It was a very good overview for a first time visit to Istanbul. He also included tips of how to get around the city and a list of suggested restaurants and other places to go on our own during our trip. It was well worth the money and time.

I
istanbulguideyunus
May 17, 2020
Excellent Discovery

Right Chooise: Istanbul Bosphorus Tour We booked True Discovery, however it was a full day tour we were able to join only afternoon part. Beside of winter season we were luck that it was sunny. Picked up form our place and drove to harbour to get on the special boat for this cruise. There were some other particpipants on it but was not crowded (maybe because of winter). We passed along European side first up to end of it and back to Asian side. Took around 4 hours with lunch on board and a stop on the Asian village. Many things to see especially palaces and lovely sea side houses along with many informations by tour guide. It was possible to drive back to hotel but we stop somewhere else, they were also kind to do so. Well organised, we were happy, thanks to Istanbul Bosphorus Tour

2 people found this helpful
S
selcuktr34
May 11, 2020
An Unforgettable Memory

As a person who lives in istanbul, i definitely recommend this tour. It was such a beautiful memory. If you want to see the most beautiful places of Istanbul from the sea and feel Istanbul, you should definitely join this tour. I had perfect times with my friends. Thank you for that. Thank you for good services.

D
dilaraaa26
May 10, 2020
Sunset Tour

MEGA! Can only recommend to anyone. Anyone travelling to Istanbul must take a Bosphorus tour! Great reception, Super Service, Perfect tour guide and narration. Was a mega trip and activity I recommend to anyone traveling to Istanbul.

A
alitaylane
May 9, 2020
Fabulous Face of Istanbul, Land and Sea

We booked a day tour directly web page of the agency, it was easy and smooth. Picked up our place and start both sides of the city since Istanbul lay over two continents, Europe and Asia. Being on both hills of the city and see that how great it is, was very impressive to pass Bosphorus Bridge, than Dolmabahce Palace was marvelous. But highlights of our day was Cruise tour. We were luck with weather ans able to see all strait up to end, to Black Sea.. It was a full day tour, from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. After all you fill that you were on the tour for 3 days since you are seing many things. But thank God that we choosen the right one that everything gone perfect.. Thanks guys, if we come to Istanbul ( we wish) will be with you again..

$236/ person
4.6(11)
Duration9 hours
LanguagesEN
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
Travellers1–30 pax
ConfirmationInstant
OperatorIstanbul Bosphorus Tours
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