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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 19 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Linking the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, the 32km Bosphorus strait divides Istanbul itself, and Europe from Asia. One of the world’s busiest waterways, it’s also one of the most fascinating – passing grand Ottoman palaces, the majestic Bosphorus bridge, picturesque Ottoman yalis (wooden villas), seaside villages and the Rumeli Hisari (‘the Fortress of Europe’).

Options range from one-hour trips to a full day’s cruise, on vessels ranging from no-frills public ferries to luxury dinner cruises.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price from: £10
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Duration: 1 hour to full day

Getting there & doing it

There are multiple organised boat tour options – see our recommendations below. If you prefer to go it alone (and/or save money), the easiest year-round option is to hop on the public ferry (Sehir Hatlari) from Eminonu Docks between the Galata Bridge and Sirkeci station (on the tram T1 line).

Options range from short round trips, to full day excursions to Anadolu Kavagi – the last stop on the Asian side near the Black Sea, where there’s a 3-hour lunch stop before returning to Istanbul. Get to the Eminonu Docks 45 minutes before each departure to beat the queues at the Sehir Hatlari ticket offices.

When to do it

Boat tours run all year round, but from November to March there are fewer boat options (and you’ll probably need an overcoat if not an umbrella). Sehir Hatlari ferries run daily year-round, with one to three daily departures depending on the season.

April and May are the most beautiful times on the river, when the parks are at their most glorious and it’s not too hot. September and October are also usually beautiful, with fewer tourists.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour In Istanbul For 2 Hours

Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour In Istanbul For 2 Hours

Istanbul

Sunset Cruise Tour allows you to see many historical places in Istanbul. Even if you know every part of the city, the richness of colors at ...

€10 | Rating 4.55 / 5 [45 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Golden Horn and Bosphorus Boat Tour in Istanbul

Golden Horn and Bosphorus Boat Tour in Istanbul

Istanbul

Cruise along the waters of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. This guided 2-hours boat tour. View the Asian and European sides of Istanbul a...

€17 | Rating 4.47 / 5 [21 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

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Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour İstanbul 3 Hours Tour And Golden Horn

Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour İstanbul 3 Hours Tour And Golden Horn

Istanbul

Sunset Cruise Tour allows you to see many historical places in Istanbul. Even if you know every part of the city, the richness of colors at ...

€20 | Rating 4.74 / 5 [131 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

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Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht Istanbul Bosphorus (with Live Guide)

Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht Istanbul Bosphorus (with Live Guide)

Istanbul

Along a 2.5 hour evening sunset cruise, enjoy unique views, comfort and a relaxing environment on board with Luxury yacht. Aboard the glass...

€24 | Rating 4.73 / 5 [193 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Bankerhan

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]

A cool, art-filled boutique hotel near the heart of modern Istanbul’s most fashionable shopping and nightlife district. 

Official star rating:

Yasmak Sultan Hotel

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1 miles]

Close to Istanbul’s top sights, this friendly hotel with a spa and rooftop restaurant is a dream for first-time visitors. And good value too.

Official star rating:

Georges Hotel Galata

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1 miles]

In the heart of Istanbul’s hip Beyoglu district, this boutique hotel combines understated luxury with a glam rooftop restaurant. One of the best hotels in town for a romantic city break. 

Official star rating:

Sirkeci Mansion Hotel

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.1 miles]

Convenient for the major sights and plugged into Turkish culture, this charming, historic hotel is ideal for families and first-timers.  

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Istanbul

Marmara Region, Turkey

Exotic, inexhaustible and dynamic – East meets West head-on in this mesmerising city metropolis, famed for its extraordinarily rich history, superb food and shopping, and mind-blowingly magnificent, over-sized mosques.

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Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Spice Bazaar

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.3 miles]

Istanbul’s second largest market is a sensory wonderland, full to bursting with fragrant spices and sweets.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Grand Bazaar

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.9 miles]

The oldest, biggest market in the world that glitters like an Aladdin’s cave. Over 5,000 shops on 66 covered streets.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Islamic man with traditional dress smoking shisha, drinking tea
Experience

Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.1 miles]

Super authentic spot near the Grand Bazaar where you can smoke nargile (a water pipe or hookah) and drink tea in the courtyard of a mosque from 1709.

Best for ages: 18+ | £5

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Man and a woman looking at paintings in a modern art gallery
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Istanbul Modern

Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[1.3 miles]

A modern art museum housing the finest collection of modern and contemporary art in the country. The Modern’s temporary exhibits by Turkish and international artists – often organized in collaboration with MoMA (New York) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris) – are particularly exceptional.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4

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Exterior of white museum with trees lining the entrance
Experience

Museum of Turkish Islamic Arts

Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[1.5 miles]

One of the world’s finest collections of Islamic-influenced glassware, rugs, ceramics, metal work and ethnographic items.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4

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View of art museum in old hotel
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Pera Museum

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.5 miles]

World-class collections of Ottoman art, tiles and ceramics – plus big-name travelling exhibitions – set in a former grand hotel.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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