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Istanbul Cruise: Bosphorus and Golden Horn Exploration with Audio Guide
4.4
80 Ratings
Fatih
Sail through the Bosphorus Strait and along the Golden Horn on an engaging Istanbul cruise. Explore famous sights with an audio guide and enjoy breathtaking views of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and more.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Bosphorus Strait - When it comes to Istanbul, one of the most important and well-known landmarks has to be the splendid Bosphorus. It is the reason Istanbul is known as the “the city between two continents.” The Bosphorus Strait is a natural waterway that runs through Istanbul, dividing the city into two continents. The Bosphorus connects Europe and Asia via the Sea of Marmara.
- Galata Tower - The Galata Tower is one of the symbols of Istanbul. From its elevated position, there is a magnificent view of Beyoğlu and Karaköy, and the tower’s colorful lights can be seen from all over the city at night. Here is an overview of the history of the Galata Tower and some interesting facts about its use.
- Golden Horn - The Golden Horn (Halic) is an arm of the Bosphorus, into which two rivers flow at the other end. Considered the largest natural harbor in the world, it separates the European coast from Istanbul.
- Dolmabahce Palace - The royal Dolmabahce Palace is one of the main attractions that we will see whileon board. This elegant mansion of the Bosphorus is one of the most marvelous symbolic of Istanbul representing the Ottoman Empire’s 19th century architectural advancements.
- Ortakoy - Ortakoy is one of the most popular, liveliest and attractive neighborhoods in Besiktas, located right on the Bosphorus and under the Bosphorus Bridge. Ortakoy is also another popular entertainment and nightlife center of Istanbul with a variety of excellent cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants, shops, boutiques, bakery and souvenir shops.
- Bosphorus Bridge - Istanbul is standing between two continents: Asia and Europe. Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges are the two main bridges linking these two continents.
- Rumeli Fortress - The historical fortress that is erected by the orders of Fatih Sultan Mehmet is another landmark of The Bos.phorus Strait. Rumeli Fortress is now serving as a facility including a lot of cafes and restaurants.
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - As mentioned, this second bridge was built in 1988 and is named after the famous Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, who conquered Istanbul in 1453.
- Anadoluhisarı - Located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, it is the neighbor of the Rumeli Fortress. Built by the orders of Sultan Bayezid, it not only added a new beauty to the city silhoutte, it was also used for security purposes. With its ancient look and mysterious atmosphere, Anatolian Fortress is another landmark of the mesmerizing Istanbul while we take a dinner tour along the Bosphorus.
- Beylerbeyi Palace - The glamorous Beylerbeyi Palace is located on the Asian part of the Bosphorus in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of Istanbul. Located really close to the Bosphorus Bridge, it is one of the most chic buildings of Istanbul, the pearl of the Bosphorus Strait. Commissioned by the Sultan Abdulaziz of Ottoman Empire, it was originally built as a summer vacation palace for the imperial family. The luxurious and elegant interiors greatly complements the outer surroundings. It is a feast fort he eye, while cruising along the Bosphorus.
- KIz Kulesi - The Maiden’s Tower, that is also known as Leander’s Tower since the medieval Byzantine period, is a tower built on a small islet right across the coast of Uskudar. One of the most famous symbols of the city, Maiden’s Tower stand alone in the sea like a beautiful, graceful woman. It is considered one of the most romantic spots of the city and it witnesses many celebrations, engagements, proposals, etc… It is the subject of a many mysterious and romantic folk stories. During our Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, we will have the chance to take a look at this amazing structure while having the best time with delicious food and unlimited entertainment.
What's Included
- Boat cruise
- Audio guide
Additional Information
Sail through the Bosphorus Strait and along the Golden Horn as you see Istanbul’s most famous sights on this sightseeing tour.
Hop on a sightseeing cruise to tour the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Get a fresh look at Istanbul on this boat tour with an audio guide to tell you all the top tales as you glide by Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Maiden’s Tower, and Galata Tower. Sail as far south to see the iconic Bosphorus Bridge.
Meet your host on the other side of Hagia Sophia and walk down to the pier behind the grand mosque. Jump on board to discover the Golden Horn, considered to be the world’s largest natural harbor. Sail through the magnificent Bosphorus strait forming the continental boundary between Asia and Europe.
Admire the Bosphorus coastline on the European side from the cruise, and see a string of villages, each with its own individual character and attractions. Glide past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and the Bosphorus Bridge, among others.
Location
Ayasofya Meydanı No:2
Ayasofya Meydanı
Meet your guide with the Grand Boat Line sign in his hand in front of the Gazete Market kiosk opposite the Hagia Sophia. Follow them on a 10minute walk down to the pier.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(80 Ratings)
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Nicki_roma
Jul 7, 2024
Avoid the crowds with the Best Boat Tour in Istabul... tenfold! - I booked this tour going by the reviews from Trip Advisor.
Most of the boat tours leave from the Eminonu area (which is so so busy, total mayhem!!!), but we found this operator which leaves from Ahırkapı İskelesi, which is much more accessible. You can also meet teh tour operator near the Blue Mosque if that's easier, and they walk you to the boat (abotu 10 mins).
This a very well organised operation with great and welcoming staff. The audio guide switched between languages which catered for everyone. The snacks available onboard were also delicious.
I highly recomment this company and wouldn't use anyone else when visiting Istanbul.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R_b
May 8, 2024
Great Trip - Took this cruise because the cruise we booked to the black sea was cancelled due to wind. This trip was a great alternative and we were happy spent quite a bit less but saw most everything we wanted to see.
Review provided by Viator
Laene_t
Apr 10, 2024
Amazing trip taking you... - Amazing trip taking you to lots of well known areas in Istanbul
Overall very relaxing and we had the best experience
Review provided by Viator
Lubna94
Mar 1, 2024
Very well organised and a... - Very well organised and a detailed tour. We enjoyed it a lot. We went in March and it get’s quite cold on the boat so just remember to wrap up
Review provided by Viator
Richard_s
Jul 24, 2024
Could be improved. - Good way to see and hear about most of the places of interest.
Pity that the culture of extracting money from tourists was evident.
It would greatly improve the trip if the drinks/fruit were offered for free.
But it is Turkey. Nothing is for free, just a means of gaining financial gain.
Review provided by Viator
Jeannette_c
Apr 3, 2024
Pleasant sightseeing cruise - The cruise goes further up the Bosphorus than expected with lots to see along the coast. The commentary was out of synch after a while describing things we couldn’t yet see. There was no commentary at all on the return (along the Asian side) although there a number of things I would have liked to know more about.
Review provided by Viator
Agnesrq
Dec 23, 2023
History on the water - Being on the Bosphorus close to sunset was a great experience, and the tour enables you to see many historic sites from the water. I thought the audio guide would be more extensive but it was the same short description repeated in 4-5 languages. The boat was a bit crowded but that was expected with the extremely reasonable price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad43064382303
Mar 24, 2024
Boring a bit - The 2-floor ship has the bar on the first where you can get some drinks and food, and places to sit. On the second floor the roof covers only the half of the sitting places area, consider it in case of rain. The audioguide was being played in english, spanish, arabic, and russian one by one for the whole ship.
I’d day the service is good, but the activity itself is boring a bit. Mb it’s just not my kind of thing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aftab_h
Feb 24, 2024
Value for money, I suppose - It is value for money @approximately £10 per head for a two hour ride
However, do not expect to hear the tour guide commentary in any of the six languages as the speaker system on the boat is not fit for purpose
Fine if you just want to enjoy the views without learning about where you are at
Review provided by Viator
Wafa_c
Jan 29, 2024
0 value for my money - You'll miss the whole experience if you take this tour. They don't explain, that talk in multiple languages that by the time they get to yours you'll be passed the monument. I got lost in all the languages, they skipped my language many times and when they don't, they talk extremely briefly about the monuments.. not professional at all. 0 value for my Money
Review provided by Viator
