Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise: Small-Group Yacht with Asian Stopover
Two continents, one afternoon: the yacht keeps you close to the water while the guide explains what you're seeing.
This 2.5-hour Bosphorus cruise from Istanbul travels the strait between Europe and Asia on a small luxury yacht with a professional English-speaking guide. You'll pass Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and both Bosphorus bridges, then step ashore for a quiet break in Beylerbeyi or Kanlıca on the Asian side. Turkish coffee, fresh pastries, and snacks are served onboard. Hotel pickup is available as an add-on option.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Bosphorus cruise with Asian side stop
- Set sail on Bosphorus Strait
- See Dolmabahce Palace
- Pass Besiktas District
- View Ortaköy district
- Glide under Bosphorus Bridge
- Pass Rumeli Fortress
- See Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
- Stop at Asian side in Beylerbeyi or Kanlıca
- Explore waterfront and streets
- Return cruise with panoramic views
- Bosphorus Strait 2h
- Dolmabahce Palace passing by
- Besiktas District passing by
- Ortaköy passing by
- Bosphorus Bridge passing by
- Bebek Sahili passing by
- Rumeli Fortress passing by
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge passing by
- Beylerbeyi 20m
- Küçüksu Palace passing by
- Viaport Marina passing by
- Kuleli Sahil passing by
- Kuzguncuk Sahili passing by
- Uskudar passing by
What’s included
- Services of a professional English-speaking guide for the full 2.5-hour journey.
- Turkish coffee and traditional Turkish delight.
- freshly baked savory pastries served onboard.
- snacks, cookies, mini sandwiches, fresh fruit, and hot and cold drinks throughout the cruise.
- a short stopover on the Asian side in either Beylerbeyi or Kanlıca to explore the waterfront and local streets.
- Every day 10:30 13:00
Information
Sail the Bosphorus on a small yacht with a multilingual guide, stopping on the Asian side in Beylerbeyi or Kanlıca while viewing Topkapi Palace.
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The experience
You board at Viaport Marina and spend the next 2.5 hours on the water. The yacht is small enough that there's room to move around the deck without crowding, and the guide travels with you the whole way, pointing out landmarks and the stories behind them. You'll glide past Dolmabahce Palace on the European shore, then under the Bosphorus Bridge (the first bridge ever built to connect two continents), and later under the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. Ortaköy slides by on one side, Beşiktaş on the other. The Rumeli Fortress, built in 1452 to conquer Istanbul, rises from the water's edge.
Midway through, the yacht pulls in to either Beylerbeyi or Kanlıca on the Asian side, and you step ashore for a short break. These are quiet waterfront neighborhoods, nothing like the crowded tourist zones on the European bank. You can walk the streets, visit the gardens at Beylerbeyi Palace if you choose, or just sit by the water and watch the city from the other side. The pace here is local and unhurried.
Back on board, you'll see Küçüksu Palace (the Ottoman hunting pavilion) and Çırağan Palace as you head back toward the marina. Turkish coffee arrives hot, paired with fresh pastries baked that morning, along with cookies, small sandwiches, fruit, and both hot and cold drinks. The guide stays with you throughout, answering questions and filling in details about what you're passing. If you've booked the hotel transfer option, a driver meets you at the marina and takes you back. Otherwise, public transport is nearby.
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 1,752 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you arrange it with the operator after booking. Pickup is about 60 minutes before departure.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: 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's the difference between Beylerbeyi and Kanlıca, the two Asian stops?
Both are quiet waterfront neighborhoods on the Asian side where the yacht stops for a short break. Beylerbeyi has the palace gardens to explore. Kanlıca is known for its peaceful streets and local atmosphere. The operator chooses which one based on the day's conditions and schedule.
What landmarks will I actually see from the yacht?
You'll pass Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque on the European side, sail under both the Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, see Rumeli Fortress rising from the water, and pass Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy, and Beşiktaş. On the Asian side during your stopover, you can visit Beylerbeyi Palace gardens or explore the local streets.
Is the guide English-speaking?
Yes, the guide is a professional who speaks English and other languages, and travels with you for the entire 2.5-hour cruise.
Does the price include food and drinks?
Turkish coffee, fresh pastries, snacks, cookies, sandwiches, fruit, and hot and cold drinks are all included onboard. Hotel transfers are not included unless you select that option at checkout.
How do I get to the marina, and how do I get back?
The cruise departs from Viaport Marina. If you book the hotel transfer option, pickup and return are included. Without it, public transportation is available near the marina.
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 today
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise: Small-Group Yacht with Asian Stopover
2h 30m · EN
from US$ 28 per person
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