Istanbul Bosphorus yacht cruise: Small group, sunset or daytime
Two hours on the water: palaces, bridges, and the strait itself
A small-group yacht cruise along Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait for up to 16 people, departing from Eminönü Pier near Galata Bridge. You sail past Dolmabahce Palace, the Maiden Tower, both Bosphorus bridges, and Ottoman palaces on both the European and Asian shores, with light snacks and seasonal fruit served onboard. Choose a sunset or daytime departure. An audioguide in six languages narrates the landmarks as you pass them.
Step-by-step itinerary
Yacht cruise along the Bosphorus
- Meet at wooden port near Galata Bridge
- Board yacht for two-hour Bosphorus cruise
- View Istanbul landmarks from yacht deck
- Enjoy light snacks and seasonal fruits onboard
- Karakoy Rihtim 5m
- Bosphorus Strait 2h
- Galata Bridge passing by
- Galataport passing by
- Galata Tower passing by
- Vodafone Arena passing by
- Dolmabahce Mosque passing by
- Dolmabahce Palace passing by
- Ortaköy passing by
- Bosphorus Bridge passing by
- Bebek Sahili passing by
- Rumeli Fortress passing by
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge passing by
- Beylerbeyi Palace passing by
- Anadolu Hisari Fort passing by
- Maiden’s Tower passing by
- Sultanahmet District passing by
- Eminonu Pier passing by
What’s included
- Two-hour yacht cruise along the Bosphorus Strait.
- audioguide in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and two additional languages.
- bottled water.
- homemade mini pizzas.
- mixed nuts.
- fresh seasonal fruit.
- coffee and tea.
- one-hour break at Galata Bridge.
- Every day 14:00 16:00
Information
Cruise the Bosphorus from Istanbul on a 22-metre yacht with up to 16 people, seeing Dolmabahce Palace and the Maiden Tower from the water while snacks.
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The experience
The yacht leaves from the wooden pier at Eminönü, just after the Galata Bridge on the Karaköy side: easy to reach by tram or on foot from the old city. The boat itself is 22 metres long, snow white, and built to carry groups up to 16 people comfortably on deck. Once aboard, you're sailing the Bosphorus Strait itself, the waterway that divides Europe from Asia and has shaped Istanbul's entire history. The two-hour route runs both sides of the strait, so you see the city from a vantage point most visitors never reach.
Dolmabahce Palace appears first, the massive baroque structure built literally on reclaimed land at the water's edge. From there the route passes the Galata Tower and Bridge, the Bosphorus Bridge connecting the two continents, and Ortaköy with its waterside mosque. On the Asian side, you'll see Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, and the Maiden Tower: the small, famous structure rising 23 metres from its own island. The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second crossing, marks the northern reach of the cruise. An audioguide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and two other languages runs through the landmarks as they come into view, so you don't have to guess what you're looking at.
Onboard, the crew serves light snacks (homemade mini pizzas, mixed nuts, fresh seasonal fruit, and coffee or tea), so you're not standing on deck with nothing but the view. The timing works for both sunset cruises, when the light hits the palaces and bridges differently, and daytime departures, when you can see the architectural detail more clearly. After about an hour on the water, there's a one-hour break at Galata Bridge itself, where you can walk around, eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, or just sit and watch the ferries pass underneath before heading back to the yacht for the return leg.
Top questions
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 will I actually see on the Bosphorus cruise?
The yacht passes Dolmabahce Palace, the Maiden Tower, Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side, Rumeli Fortress, both the Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Ortaköy, and the Galata Tower. You see them from the water, which is the angle most of Istanbul's visitors never get.
How long is the actual time on the yacht?
The cruise runs about two hours total, with a one-hour break at Galata Bridge in the middle where you can leave the boat, eat, walk around, or rest before the return journey.
What's included in the price?
The yacht, the two-hour route, an audioguide in six languages, bottled water, homemade mini pizzas, mixed nuts, fresh seasonal fruit, and coffee or tea are all included.
Can I choose between sunset and daytime?
Yes, you pick either a sunset or daytime departure when you book. Both routes cover the same landmarks. The difference is the light and the time of day.
Where do I meet the guide, and how do I get there?
Meet at the wooden pier at Eminönü, just after the Galata Bridge on the Karaköy side. The spot is walkable from the old city and accessible by tram. The guide will be waiting with a company flag.
Operated by Puteshestvuy s namy 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 today
Istanbul Bosphorus yacht cruise: Small group, sunset or daytime
2h–2h 5m · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT +1
from US$ 45 per person
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