Bosphorus and Golden Horn cruise from Istanbul: Audio guide

Two hours on the water between two continents

A sightseeing cruise through Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait and Golden Horn with a multilingual audio guide. You board near Hagia Sophia, sail past Ottoman palaces and fortresses on both the European and Asian shores, pass under the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and glide by the Maiden's Tower standing alone in the sea. The audio guide speaks English, Spanish, Arabic and Russian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bosphorus and Golden Horn sightseeing cruise

• Meet host near Hagia Sophia
• Walk to pier behind mosque
• Board sightseeing cruise
• Sail through Golden Horn natural harbor
• Glide past Galata Tower
• Admire Bosphorus Strait dividing continents
• See Dolmabahçe Palace from boat
• Pass Ciragan Palace and Ortaköy Mosque
• View Bosphorus Bridge and villages
• Spot Rumeli Fortress and Anatolian Fortress
• Observe Beylerbeyi Palace on Asian side
• See Maiden's Tower islet

The experience

The boat leaves from a pier behind Hagia Sophia and heads into the Golden Horn, the massive natural harbor that separates the European coast from the rest of Istanbul. From the deck you see the Galata Tower rising above the skyline, then sail back out toward the Bosphorus Strait itself: the waterway that divides the city into two continents. The audio guide feeds you the stories as you pass each landmark, so you're not guessing at what you're looking at.

The cruise glides along the Bosphorus coastline on the European side first, where Dolmabahçe Palace sits elegant and grand on the water's edge, followed by Ciragan Palace and the Ortaköy neighborhood tucked beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. You pass Rumeli Fortress on the European shore, then cross toward the Asian side to see Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower, a small tower on an islet that's become one of Istanbul's most photographed spots. Both the Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge span the strait during the cruise, so you see how the city actually connects its two halves.

The whole route takes two hours. You stay on the boat the entire time (there are no stops to get off), so it's a continuous float past the sights rather than a walking tour. The audio guide comes through a personal device, so you control when you listen and which language you want.

What’s included

• A two-hour boat cruise through the Bosphorus Strait and Golden Horn.
• an audio guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Arabic or Russian narrating the sights as you pass them.

Before you book

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 12:20 and 15:50, from US$ 21 per person and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:20 and 15:50

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Child (under 4)

GroupUp to 100

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, Arabic and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bosporus Cruise

Is this one for you?The boat stays afloat for the full two hours with no stops to disembark, so this works best for travelers who want to see the major landmarks from the water without walking or getting on and off. If you prefer to step onto land and explore a site up close, a land-based tour would suit you better.

Traveler reviews

4.38★★★★★★★★★★

84 verified traveler reviews

5 ★62

4 ★6

3 ★8

2 ★2

1 ★6

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Maiden's Tower and why is it famous in Istanbul?

The Maiden's Tower is a solitary structure built on a small islet off the Uskudar coast, visible from the boat as you cruise past. It's one of Istanbul's most recognizable symbols and has been the subject of romantic folk stories for centuries. Many engagements and proposals have taken place there, making it one of the city's most romantic spots.

Does the cruise pass under the bridges that connect Europe and Asia?

Yes. The Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge both span the strait during your cruise, so you see both of the main bridges that link the two continents. The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge was built in 1988 and is named after the Ottoman Sultan who conquered Istanbul in 1453.

What palaces will I see from the boat?

Dolmabahçe Palace sits on the European shore and represents 19th-century Ottoman architectural achievement. On the Asian side, Beylerbeyi Palace stands near the Bosphorus Bridge. It was built as a summer palace for the imperial family and is considered one of the most elegant buildings along the strait.

How does the audio guide work on this cruise?

The audio guide is provided on a personal device so you can listen at your own pace and choose from English, Spanish, Arabic or Russian. You control when you listen as the boat passes each landmark, so you're not locked into a group pace or a guide's schedule.