Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Side Tour with Palaces

Summary

Crossing continents by boat palaces and cable car in Istanbul

You’ll float between Europe and Asia on a Bosphorus cruise from Istanbul, explore ornate palaces like Beylerbeyi, stand beneath the vast silence of Çamlıca Mosque, and ride a cable car up Pierre Loti Hill for tea above the city. Expect small surprises—a joke from your guide, a breeze off the water—that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel that weird jolt when our boat slid under the Bosphorus Bridge—like you’re floating between two worlds for real, not just on a map. The water smelled a bit briny, sharp in the morning chill, and I kept watching fishermen on Galata Bridge tossing lines while our guide (I think his name was Emre?) pointed out old Ottoman mansions tucked behind traffic and satellite dishes. He had this way of mixing stories about sultans with random jokes—at one point he compared Dolmabahçe Palace to “a wedding cake nobody could finish.” I still laugh thinking about that.

We docked on the Asian side for Beylerbeyi Palace, which glows white even when the sky is gray. Inside, it was all cool marble underfoot and chandeliers that made me feel underdressed. There was this faint scent—maybe old carpets or lemon polish? Hard to say. Our group wandered through rooms where apparently empresses once stayed (I tried to picture it but mostly wondered how anyone ever cleaned those windows). Lunch was back on the boat—simple stuff, but eating while seagulls circled felt oddly grand.

Çamlıca Mosque kind of surprised me. It’s new but feels ancient; you step inside and sound just drops away, like your ears popped from quietness. The view outside is wild: Istanbul sprawled out in every direction, minarets poking up like exclamation marks. Later we took the cable car up Pierre Loti Hill—quick ride, but my palms got sweaty anyway—and sat with tea overlooking the Golden Horn. Some local kids ran past laughing; their mom waved at us as if we’d met before. That stuck with me for some reason.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bosphorus cruise and Asian side visit

• Board morning Bosphorus cruise
• Sail under Galata Bridge
• Pass Dolmabahce Mosque and Palace
• View Ortaköy and Ortaköy Mosque
• Pass under Bosphorus Bridge
• Glide through Bebek neighborhood
• See Rumeli Fortress
• Pass under Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
• View Anadolu Fortress
• Pass Küçüksu Pavilion
• Stop at Beylerbeyi Palace for visit
• Visit Çamlıca Mosque
• Enjoy lunch onboard boat
• Return to European side
• Take cable car to Pierre Loti Hill
• Enjoy panoramic Golden Horn views

Top questions

How long does the Bosphorus cruise last?

The full-day tour includes several hours cruising along the Bosphorus with stops at key sites on both European and Asian sides.

Is breakfast included on this Istanbul Bosphorus tour?

Yes, breakfast is served onboard the boat at the start of your day trip.

Do we visit both European and Asian sides of Istanbul?

Yes, you’ll cross between continents by boat and visit sites like Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Lunch is included and served onboard during your cruise along the Bosphorus.

Are hotel pickups available for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

What languages do guides speak?

The tour offers English and Russian-speaking guides throughout the day.

Can vegetarians be accommodated for meals?

A vegetarian menu option is available during lunch onboard.

How do we reach Pierre Loti Hill?

You’ll take a short scenic cable car ride up to Pierre Loti Hill as part of the itinerary.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast served right on the boat as you set off along the Bosphorus Strait, entry to Beylerbeyi Palace with stories from your local guide, time inside Çamlıca Mosque atop its hilltop perch, lunch back onboard (vegetarian options too), plus a cable car ride up Pierre Loti Hill before heading back across town.