Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise: Sail Past Palaces & Bridges

Watch the city's palaces and bridges light up from the water instead of from the shore

A two-hour yacht cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, departing from Viaport Marina, where you sail past Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress and other Ottoman landmarks as the sun sets. The boat carries a professional English-speaking guide, serves fresh fruit, pastries and complimentary drinks, and hotel pickup is available with select options. Not recommended for travelers prone to seasickness or vertigo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury sunset yacht cruise in Istanbul

• Board luxury yacht in Istanbul
• Sail through Bosphorus Strait
• Pass Dolmabahçe Palace
• Pass Çırağan Palace
• Pass Besiktas District
• Pass Ortaköy neighborhood
• Pass Ortaköy Mosque
• Pass Bosphorus Bridge
• Pass Galatasaray Islet
• Pass Bebek neighborhood
• Pass Arnavutköy neighborhood
• Pass Rumeli Fortress
• Pass Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
• Pass Anadolu Fortress
• Pass Küçüksu area
• Pass Kuleli Military High School
• Pass Üsküdar district
• Pass Maiden’s Tower
• Pass Galata Bridge
• Pass Galata Tower
• Pass Galataport waterfront
• Enjoy traditional treats and drinks onboard
• Relax and capture sunset views
• Option for swimming and free time at Princes’ Islands
• Return to Istanbul and disembark

The experience

You board at Viaport Marina and spend the afternoon on the water as the yacht moves through the strait, passing the European and Asian shores. Dolmabahce Palace, the former Ottoman administrative center, rises from the Beşiktaş waterfront; the Bosphorus Bridge spans overhead; Rumeli Fortress stands on the European side and Anadolu Fortress on the Asian. The guide points out Ortaköy Mosque with its 19th-century Ottoman Baroque dome, the Galatasaray Islet with its restaurants and pools, and the neighborhoods of Arnavutköy and Bebek that line the water. Küçüksu Palace appears on the Asian shore, a summer retreat built for the sultans. The route takes in the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and passes near the Maiden's Tower before the light begins to shift.

As the sun drops, the crew serves a plate of fresh fruit, cookies and baklava, with complimentary lemonade, water, tea or coffee flowing throughout. The guide is there to answer questions and point out what you're seeing, but the pace is built for watching and photographing rather than a structured narration. Restrooms are on board. The whole experience runs two hours, timed to catch the golden light and the moment when the city's monuments begin to glow.

Five options let you shape the day: a standard sunset cruise, the same cruise with wine, a sunset cruise that includes hotel pickup and wine, a six-hour swimming cruise to the Princes' Islands (10 AM to 4 PM, no guide, with free time in the water and sandwiches served aboard), or sunset with transfer services. The swimming option requires you to bring your own swimwear, towel and sunscreen, and is only suitable if you're a confident swimmer. Hotel pickup is included with three of the options. Public transport stops are nearby for the others.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from designated areas (with select options).
• fresh fruit plate, cookies and baklava served aboard.
• complimentary drinks including lemonade, water, tea and coffee.
• English-speaking professional local guide.
• restroom facilities on board.

Options for this experience

5 options

Standard Sunset CruiseGuide in English · 15:45, 16:00, 16:15 and 16:30

Standard sunset with a glass of wineGuide in English · 15:45, 16:00, 16:15 and 16:30With a glass of wine: the guest can choose red, white or rosé wine on the yacht.

Sunset cruise with transfer servicesGuide in English · 15:45, 16:00, 16:15 and 16:30Pickup is included

See 2 more options

Sunset with wine and transferGuide in English · 15:45, 16:00, 16:15 and 16:30With a glass of wine and transfer: on the yacht you can pick red, white or rosé wine. Pickup is included

Six-hour group cruise with swimmingGuide in English · 10:00Swimming cruise without a guide

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Yacht Cruises: Bosphorus

Is this one for you?Book the standard sunset cruise for an afternoon of viewing Ottoman landmarks from the water, or choose the six-hour swimming option if you want a full day anchored at the Princes' Islands with multiple swimming breaks.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What landmarks do you actually see from the yacht on the Bosphorus?

The yacht passes Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress on the European side and Anadolu Fortress across the water on the Asian side. You also see Ortaköy Mosque, the Galatasaray Islet, Küçüksu Palace, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Maiden's Tower near Üsküdar as the boat moves through the strait.

Does the sunset cruise include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is included with three of the five options: the Sunset with Wine & Transfer, the Swimming Group Cruise, and the Sunset with Transfer Services. The Standard Sunset Cruise and Standard Sunset with Wine depart from Viaport Marina, where public transport is available nearby.

What food and drinks come with the yacht cruise?

A fresh fruit plate, cookies and baklava are served aboard, along with complimentary drinks: lemonade, water, tea and coffee. The six-hour swimming option includes complimentary sandwiches and soft drinks instead.

Is the two-hour sunset cruise suitable if I get seasick easily?

The operator does not recommend this cruise for travelers prone to seasickness or vertigo. If you're sensitive to motion on the water, this may not be the right choice for your Istanbul day.

What's included in the six-hour swimming cruise to the Princes' Islands?

The six-hour swimming cruise runs 10 AM to 4 PM without a guide, with free time for swimming and relaxation. Complimentary sandwiches and soft drinks are served on board. You'll need to bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and you must be a confident swimmer to participate.