Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht Tour: Asian Side Stop & Kanlıca Yogurt

Summary

Cross the Bosphorus by yacht taste Kanlıca yogurt on Istanbul’s Asian shore

You’ll cross from Europe to Asia by yacht along Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait, tasting Kanlıca’s famous yogurt with powdered sugar and wandering its quiet streets. Sip Turkish coffee on deck as palaces drift by and share fresh pastries with fellow travelers while your local guide brings stories to life. It’s less about checking sights off a list — more about feeling Istanbul breathe around you.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you open your eyes and the world is already moving? That’s how it felt stepping onto the deck in Karaköy — seagulls darting above, the city already humming. The Bosphorus stretched out blue and busy, ferries zigzagging between Europe and Asia like it was nothing special (but it is). Our guide, Zeynep, handed me a tiny cup of Turkish coffee before we even left the dock — thick, sweet, almost muddy at the bottom. She grinned and said something about fortune-telling in the grounds but I just sipped and watched Galata Tower drift past. The air smelled salty and faintly like engine oil, not in a bad way. Just real.

We glided under bridges with names I kept mixing up (Bosphorus Bridge? Fatih Sultan Mehmet? My brain was still waking up). Zeynep pointed out palaces — Dolmabahçe shimmering gold in the morning light, then Beylerbeyi all white stone across on the Asian side. The yacht slowed near Kanlıca and she waved us off with a “don’t skip the yogurt!” So we wandered narrow streets where old men played backgammon outside cafés. I ordered yogurt with powdered sugar because apparently that’s what you do here — it was cold, creamy, a little tangy under all that sugar dust. Not what I expected but somehow perfect after the wind on deck.

On the way back we passed Rumeli Fortress — those stone towers look like they’ve seen everything. Some fisherman waved from his tiny boat; Zeynep called out something in Turkish that made him laugh. There were pastries passed around (still warm), fruit cut up on a plate, someone spilled tea but nobody minded. I leaned against the rail as Maiden’s Tower came into view — just this tiny dot in all that water — and tried to memorize how Istanbul looked from here: layered, noisy but peaceful too. I still think about that view sometimes when things get loud at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bosphorus yacht cruise and Kanlıca stop

• Board Bosphorus yacht
• Cruise along Bosphorus Strait
• Pass Dolmabahçe Palace
• Pass Dolmabahçe Mosque
• Pass Çırağan Palace
• Pass Ortaköy Mosque
• Pass Bosphorus Bridge
• Pass Galatasaray Island
• Pass Arnavutköy neighborhood
• Pass Bebek neighborhood
• Pass Rumeli Fortress
• Pass Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
• Stop at Kanlıca neighborhood
• Explore Kanlıca streets and waterfront
• Taste Kanlıca yogurt with powdered sugar
• Return to yacht and continue cruise

Top questions

How long does the Bosphorus yacht tour last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours including stops.

Is there a stop on the Asian side during this tour?

Yes, there’s a stop at Kanlıca on the Asian shore for exploration and yogurt tasting.

What food or drinks are included?

You’ll get Turkish coffee served with delight, savory pastry, bottled water, snacks, seasonal fruit, plus tea or coffee onboard.

Are children allowed on this Bosphorus cruise?

Yes—infants can ride in prams or sit on an adult’s lap; it’s suitable for all fitness levels.

Which landmarks will I see during the cruise?

You’ll pass Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace & Mosque, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden’s Tower, both Bosphorus bridges & more.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup if needed (or meet at port), Turkish coffee served in traditional cups with delight alongside savory pastries and snacks as you sail; bottled water and fresh seasonal fruits are always available; plus time ashore in Kanlıca to try their famous yogurt before heading back across continents by yacht.