Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Tour Istanbul: 2-Hour Cruise With Drinks
Two hours on the water between two continents, watching the light change over Ottoman palaces and suspension bridges.
A 2-hour sunset yacht cruise on the Bosphorus from Istanbul's Karaköy pier, operated by Constantine Yachts since 1967, with views of Çırağan Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maiden's Tower. The boat carries coffee, tea, pastries, snacks and soft drinks; a live guide speaks English and Turkish; audio guides in ten languages are available on board. Boarding happens at the Constantine Yachts pier in Karaköy, minutes from the Galata Bridge. Infants can sit on a lap or in a specialized seat. The boat is wheelchair accessible throughout.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Bosphorus sunset yacht cruise
- Board yacht at Karaköy pier
- Cruise along European coast
- View Çırağan Palace
- Cruise along Asian coast
- See Beylerbeyi Palace
- Pass Maiden's Tower
- View Bosphorus Bridge
- Enjoy drinks and snacks onboard
- Disembark at Karaköy pier
- Süleymaniye Mosque passing by
- Galata Bridge passing by
- Spice Bazaar passing by
- Hagia Sophia passing by
- Topkapi Palace passing by
- Galataport passing by
- Galata Tower passing by
- Dolmabahce Palace passing by
- Viaport Marina passing by
- Mecidiye Mosque passing by
- Bosphorus Bridge passing by
- Bosphorus Strait 2h
- Beylerbeyi Palace passing by
- Maiden’s Tower passing by
What’s included
- Coffee and tea.
- soft drinks and pastries.
- a printed souvenir photo per guest.
- WiFi on board.
- audio guides in ten languages.
- a live guide in English or Turkish.
- restroom access.
- all fees and taxes.
- Every day 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00
Information
Two-hour yacht cruise along Istanbul's Bosphorus at sunset, departing from Karaköy pier with drinks, snacks and live commentary in English or Turkish.
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The experience
The yacht leaves Karaköy as the sun moves lower, and the route runs both shores of the Bosphorus: the European side first, then across to the Asian coast. You pass under the Bosphorus Bridge, see Dolmabahçe Palace where the last Ottoman sultans lived, and watch the Maiden's Tower rise from its small island in the strait. The boat moves slowly enough that you can photograph the palaces and waterfront mansions, and the guide points out the history written into each building: which sultans lived where, how the strait divided empires, why the towers stand where they do.
Çırağan Palace appears on the European shore: a former Ottoman palace now a luxury hotel, its stone walls lit as the sky darkens. Coffee, tea, pastries and cookies come out early in the cruise. Soft drinks and snacks are available throughout. The audio guide works in ten languages (English, German, Russian, French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and Korean), so you can follow along in your own language or listen to the live commentary from the crew. A printed souvenir photo is included, one per guest, taken during the cruise.
The boat is small enough to feel intimate but stable enough that movement around the deck is easy. All areas are wheelchair accessible, and there's a restroom on board. WiFi is available if you want to share the view in real time. The whole experience runs two hours, which means you're back on the Karaköy waterfront while there's still light in the sky, or you can stay near the pier afterward: the Galata Bridge and the restaurants along the water are steps away.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Turkish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2).
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 palaces and landmarks do you actually see on the Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Tour?
The cruise passes Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Maiden's Tower, the Bosphorus Bridge, and Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian shore. You see both European and Asian waterfronts, with views of waterfront mansions and the strait's historic architecture throughout the two hours.
Where does the yacht depart from, and how do you get there?
The Constantine Yachts pier in Karaköy is the boarding point. It's minutes from the Galata Bridge on Istanbul's waterfront. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the pier itself is wheelchair accessible.
What food and drinks are included on the sunset cruise?
Coffee, tea, soft drinks, pastries and cookies are included. Wine is available as an optional add-on on some booking options. A printed souvenir photo is also included, one per guest.
Is the yacht accessible for people using wheelchairs or traveling with infants?
The boat is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms and surfaces throughout. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or in a specialized infant seat. Service animals are allowed on board.
How long is the cruise, and when does it depart?
The cruise runs two hours. Sunset timing varies by season, so check your booking confirmation for the exact departure time on your date.
Operated by AST 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 7 days ago
Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Tour Istanbul: 2-Hour Cruise With Drinks
2h · EN +1
from US$ 33 per person
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