Bosphorus cruise Istanbul: Daytime, sunset & night options

See Istanbul's palaces and mosques from the water, not the street

A 2-hour guided Bosphorus cruise departing from Eminönü in central Istanbul, with live commentary in English or Russian. You sail past Galata Bridge, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, both Bosphorus bridges, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower, Topkapı Palace and the Süleymaniye Mosque. Choose daytime, sunset or night departure. All three options include WiFi and air-conditioned seating on a modern boat with stairs to board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Galata Bridgepass by
2. Galata Towerpass by
3. Dolmabahce Palacepass by
4. Ortaköypass by
5. Bosphorus Bridgepass by
6. Bosphorus Straitpass by
7. Rumeli Fortresspass by
8. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridgepass by
9. Küçüksu Palacepass by
10. Viaport Marina2h
11. Maiden’s Towerpass by
12. Topkapi Palacepass by
13. New Mosquepass by
14. Süleymaniye Mosquepass by
15. Military Museumpass by

Bosphorus Cruise and Sightseeing

• Board modern comfortable boat
• Sail under Galata Bridge
• View Galata Tower
• Pass Istanbul Painting Museum
• Admire Dolmabahçe Mosque and Clock Tower
• See Dolmabahçe Palace
• Enjoy Ortaköy and Ortaköy Mosque
• Pass under First Bosphorus Bridge
• View Galatasaray Island
• Glance at Bebek Khedive Pavilion
• Admire Rumeli Fortress
• Pass under Second Bosphorus Bridge
• See Anadolu Fortress
• Pass Küçüksu Pavilion
• View Kuleli Military High School
• Admire Maiden's Tower
• See Topkapı Palace
• View Yeni Camii (New Mosque)
• Admire Süleymaniye Mosque
• Learn stories of Bosphorus Strait

The experience

The boat leaves from Eminönü, Istanbul's waterfront hub where ferries and tour boats gather, and the 2-hour route carries you north along the European shore before crossing to the Asian side and returning. You'll pass under the Galata Bridge, the iron span locals fish from, and see the medieval Galata Tower rise from the district behind it. As the boat moves upriver, Dolmabahçe Palace appears on the European bank, its 19th-century façade and clock tower framed against the water, followed by the Dolmabahçe Mosque with its ornate dome. Ortaköy Mosque sits at the water's edge in the neighborhood of the same name, its silhouette sharpest at sunset or after dark when lit.

The route passes directly under both suspension bridges that cross the strait. The first Bosphorus Bridge connects Europe and Asia. The second, named after Fatih Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, stands further north. Between them sits Rumeli Fortress on the European shore, its stone walls and towers built by the same sultan centuries before. On the Asian side, you'll see Küçüksu Palace, a smaller 19th-century Rococo summer retreat, and Anadolu Fortress, the older of the two fortifications. The Maiden's Tower rises from a small island near the mouth of the Golden Horn, its silhouette especially striking when the light catches it.

As the boat turns back toward the historic peninsula, Topkapı Palace cascades down the hillside to the water: the administrative and residential center of Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries. The Yeni Camii (New Mosque) stands at Eminönü with its domes and minarets commanding the waterfront, and the Süleymaniye Mosque crowns the skyline from the highest hill, its design the work of the legendary architect Mimar Sinan. A live guide in English or Russian narrates throughout. WiFi is available on board, and the air-conditioned cabin keeps you comfortable whether you choose a daytime departure, the sunset option, or the night cruise when the bridges and mosques are illuminated.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned seating on a modern boat.
• live guide commentary in English or Russian.
• WiFi on board.
• departure from central Istanbul (Eminönü), accessible by public transportation.

Options for this experience

4 options

Bosphorus at NightGuide in English or Russian · 20:00Non-stop Bosphorus boat cruise lasting 2 hours. The tour runs about 2 hours, with a possible variation of ±15 minutes due to wind currents. Tea and cookies are served to our valued guests as refreshments. As you cruise, you can enjoy views of many historic monuments and famous sites along the Bosphorus. The cruise takes place on our modern, comfortable and well-equipped boat, a ferry.

Sunset CruiseGuide in English or Russian · 18:00Experience Istanbul's beauty from the Bosphorus, timed to coincide with a breathtaking sunset. The tour lasts about 2 hours, with a possible variation of ±15 minutes due to wind currents. The journey is made by boat or ferry on the Istanbul Strait.

Daytime CruisesGuide in English or Russian · 11:00 and 13:00The cruise lasts 2 hours, but may take between 2 and 2.5 hours depending on technical, weather and sea conditions. The journey is made by boat or ferry on the Bosphorus Strait.

Sunset CruiseGuide in English or Russian · 16:00Bosphorus Tour lasting 2 hours 30 minutes. The cruise may take between 2 and 2.5 hours depending on technical, weather and sea conditions. The journey is made by boat, ferry or ship along the Bosphorus Channel.

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 20:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by IMCA TOURISM

Is this one for you?Book the sunset departure if you want the light to catch Ortaköy Mosque and the palaces at their most photogenic; choose the night cruise to see the bridges and major sites illuminated against the dark sky; the daytime option works best if you prefer to photograph the architectural detail clearly and want to spot the fortresses and smaller landmarks on the Asian shore.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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's the difference between the daytime, sunset and night cruises on the Bosphorus?

All three follow the same 2-hour route from Eminönü past the same landmarks: Galata Bridge, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, both suspension bridges, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower and Topkapı Palace. The daytime cruise shows the palaces and mosques in daylight; the sunset option times the journey to catch the light changing over the water and the Ortaköy Mosque; the night cruise departs after dark, when the bridges and major sites are illuminated.

What's included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes all fees and taxes, air-conditioned seating on the boat, WiFi on board, and live guide commentary in English or Russian. Beverages are not included. The starting point is Eminönü in central Istanbul, easily reached by public transportation.

How long is the cruise and where does it start?

The cruise lasts 2 hours and departs from Eminönü, Istanbul's waterfront district in the city center. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're coming from elsewhere in the city.

What landmarks will I see on the Bosphorus cruise?

You'll pass the Galata Bridge and Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace and Mosque, Ortaköy Mosque, both the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower, Topkapı Palace, the Yeni Camii (New Mosque), and the Süleymaniye Mosque. The route also passes Küçüksu Palace and Anadolu Fortress on the Asian shore.

Is this tour private or shared with other passengers?

This is a shared group cruise on a modern boat with other travelers. The boat is air-conditioned and carries multiple passengers, with a live guide providing commentary in English or Russian throughout the 2-hour journey.