Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise Istanbul: 2.5-Hour Luxury Tour

Watch the Bosphorus transform as the sun sets and Istanbul's landmarks glow against the darkening sky.

A 2.5-hour sunset yacht cruise on the Bosphorus from Istanbul with a live English or Spanish-speaking guide, departing from the waterfront and passing Dolmabahce Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower and the Bosphorus Bridges. The boat holds a maximum of 30 passengers, with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, and includes light snacks, Turkish baklava, fresh fruit, coffee and tea. Hotel pickup is available as an add-on option at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 39 to US$ 67 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

A 2.5-hour luxury cruise on the Bosphorus at sunset, with scenic views 16:00 Guide in English or Spanish

With Hotel Transfer 16:00 Guide in English or Spanish Includes transfer from your hotel

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Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise

• Board luxury yacht in Istanbul
• Cruise along the Bosphorus Strait
• View Dolmabahçe Mosque and Palace
• Pass Ortaköy waterfront and mosque
• See Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
• Pass Bebek neighborhood and Galatasaray Islet
• View Rumeli Fortress and Anadoluhisarı
• See Küçüksu Pavilion and Beylerbeyi Palace
• Pass Üsküdar and Maiden’s Tower
• View old city including Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
• Pass Galata Bridge, Eminönü, and Karaköy
• See Galata Tower and Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
• Enjoy snacks, Turkish baklava, fruits, tea, and coffee onboard
• Watch sunset and city lights from indoor and outdoor areas

Stops and time spent at each 20 stops

1. Bosphorus Strait 2h 30m
2. Dolmabahce Mosque passing by
3. Dolmabahce Palace passing by
4. Ortaköy passing by
5. Bosphorus Bridge passing by
6. Bebek Park passing by
7. Galatasaray Island passing by
8. Rumeli Fortress passing by
9. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge passing by
10. Anadolu Hisari Fort passing by
11. Küçüksu Palace passing by
12. Beylerbeyi Palace passing by
13. Uskudar passing by
14. Maiden’s Tower passing by
15. Historic Areas of Istanbul passing by
16. Galata Bridge passing by
17. Eminonu Square passing by
18. Karakoy Rihtim passing by
19. Galata Tower passing by
20. Istanbul Museum of Modern Art passing by

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Spanish.
• light snacks including Turkish baklava, cookies and fresh seasonal fruit.
• homemade lemonade in summer or fresh fruit juice in winter.
• coffee and tea.
• WiFi on board.
• hotel transfer available as an add-on option at checkout.

Times

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• Every day 16:00

Information

Cruise the Bosphorus at sunset from Istanbul on a luxury yacht with live guide, snacks and Turkish baklava included.

Group Up to 30 1 similar private tour ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 1,742 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 60 minutes before departure. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (18 and older) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly 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

The cruise departs at dusk, when the light is still strong enough to see the landmarks clearly but the city is already beginning to shift into evening. You'll board a luxury yacht designed to give every passenger an unobstructed view. The boat's 360-degree layout means you can move between indoor and outdoor decks depending on the weather and where the best angles are. The small group size, capped at 30 people, keeps the experience relaxed rather than crowded.

As the yacht moves upriver along the Bosphorus, the guide points out the major sights: Dolmabahce Palace rises from the European shore with its ornate marble facade, Rumeli Fortress sits on the hills above the water, and the Bosphorus Bridges span the strait overhead. Maiden's Tower stands on its small island at the southern entrance, and you'll pass Ortaköy with its waterfront mosque and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge farther north. The route follows the water's edge, so the palaces, villas and fortifications are close enough to see the architectural detail.

Throughout the cruise, snacks and drinks keep pace with the sunset: Turkish baklava, fresh seasonal fruit, cookies, coffee and tea are served as the light changes and the city's lights begin to come on. If you're traveling in summer, you get homemade lemonade. In winter, fresh fruit juice. The guide narrates in English or Spanish, depending on the group, and WiFi is available on board if you need it. If you've selected the hotel transfer option, a driver will pick you up and drop you back after the cruise ends.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 1,742 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 60 minutes before departure.

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (4 to 8 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 landmarks do you actually see on the Bosphorus sunset cruise?

The yacht passes Dolmabahce Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower, Ortaköy mosque, and the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges. The route follows the water's edge so you see the architectural detail of the palaces and fortifications as they're lit by the setting sun and then by the city lights after dark.

How many people go on the cruise at once?

The yacht carries a maximum of 30 passengers, which keeps the experience relaxed and ensures everyone has room to move between the indoor and outdoor viewing areas without crowding.

What food and drinks are included?

Turkish baklava, fresh seasonal fruit, cookies, coffee and tea are served throughout the cruise. In summer you also get homemade lemonade. In winter, fresh fruit juice. You're welcome to bring your own drinks on board if you prefer.

What's the difference between the two booking options?

Both options are the same 2.5-hour sunset cruise with the same guide, snacks and views. The difference is whether you add hotel transfer. The "With Hotel Transfer" option includes pickup and drop-off. The standard "Scenic Bosphorus Sunset Cruise" option does not.

Operated by Sunset Bosphorus Yacht Cruises. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago