Istanbul: Private Bosphorus Yacht Cruise & Palace Views

What does it feel like to float past a 250-year-old palace from the water?

You board a private luxury yacht at Viaport Marina and spend the afternoon cruising the Bosphorus Strait past Dolmabahce Palace, Maiden's Tower, and the Galata Bridge, with a personal captain and crew handling the route while you watch from the water. Coffee, tea, and WiFi are included, and the yacht accommodates up to 15 people comfortably. All fees and taxes are built into the price, so you step off without surprises.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private yacht cruise on Bosphorus

• Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait
• Pass Dolmabahce Palace
• Pass Maiden's Tower
• Pass Galata Bridge
• Pass Golden Horn shores
• Pass Galata Tower
• Pass Cıragan Palace
• Pass Ortakoy district
• Pass Bosphorus Bridge
• Pass Beylerbeyi Palace

Stops and time spent at each 10 stops

1. Golden Horn passing by
2. Bosphorus Strait 1h
3. Galata Tower passing by
4. Maiden’s Tower passing by
5. Dolmabahce Palace passing by
6. Viaport Marina passing by
7. Ortaköy passing by
8. Bosphorus Bridge passing by
9. Beylerbeyi Palace passing by
10. Galata Bridge passing by

What’s included

Your afternoon includes a private luxury yacht decorated for passenger comfort, a personal captain and crew, coffee and tea service, bottled water, WiFi on board, and all fees and taxes. The yacht accommodates up to 15 people and departs from Viaport Marina, passing Dolmabahce Palace, Maiden's Tower, the Galata Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and Ortaköy along the Bosphorus Strait.

Times

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• Every day 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00

Information

Private luxury yacht on Istanbul's Bosphorus with captain & crew. Passes Dolmabahce Palace, Maiden's Tower, Galata Bridge. Up to 15 people, coffee & WiFi included.

Group Private 10 similar group tours ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 6 similar tours with pickup › See the exact address

Book up to 1h before

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

That's the question that stays with you after a private yacht cruise on the Bosphorus. You board at Viaport Marina and spend the afternoon drifting past the landmarks most visitors only see from the shore: Dolmabahce Palace spreading across its waterfront, the Maiden's Tower sitting alone on its tiny island, the Galata Bridge crowded with fishermen and evening crowds. The yacht holds up to 15 people, so it's intimate enough that you're not jostling for a spot at the rail, but big enough for families or friend groups to spread out. Your personal captain and crew handle the navigation while you watch the city's two continents slide past on either side.

The Bosphorus itself is the real draw here. It's 30 kilometers long, separates Europe from Asia, and at its widest point stretches 3,500 meters, but from the water, those distances feel smaller, more knowable. You'll pass under the Bosphorus Bridge, built in 1973 and still one of Istanbul's most recognizable symbols, and cruise past Ortaköy's waterfront bazaar and the Beylerbeyi Palace with its lily pond and sprawling gardens. The water moves with its own currents (surface flows from the Black Sea toward the Sea of Marmara, underwater flows running the opposite way), but you won't feel rushed. Coffee and tea are served on board, along with bottled water, and the yacht has WiFi if you need it, though most people don't.

The whole experience is built around comfort. The yacht is decorated with passengers in mind, which means decent seating, shade where you need it, and enough space that small children in strollers or infants on laps don't turn the afternoon into logistics. Service animals are welcome. The price includes all fees and taxes, so there's nothing to negotiate or add on once you're aboard. You're looking at a private charter, which means the boat doesn't stop to pick up other groups. It's yours for the duration.

Top questions

What time does the yacht depart?

Departure details are not listed. Check with the provider for available time slots.

Can we bring children?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The yacht is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Is the yacht accessible for people with mobility issues?

The product is listed as suitable for all physical fitness levels, but specific accessibility features are not detailed. Contact the operator for details about boarding and onboard access.

Operated by Istanbul Express Travel. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago