Reviewed Dec 2016
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Overview
Sail between two continents and visit the extravagant Küçüksu Palace or Rumeli Fortress on this 2.5-hour Bosphorus sightseeing cruise in Istanbul. Learn about the sights and Istanbul’s history from the onboard guide, and admire splendid views of top Istanbul attractions as you sail the strait that divides Europe from Asia. Gaze out over the domes, towers and minarets of the historic peninsula, cruise under the vast Bosphorus Bridge, float by Dolmabahçe Palace, and go ashore for a tour of either the picturebook Rumeli (Mondays and Thursdays only) or Ottoman Küçüksu.
What to Expect
After pickup from your central Istanbul hotel, travel to Kasımpaşa port for your 2.5-hour cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. This famous stretch of water divides Istanbul After in two and separates the continents of Europe and Asia.
Find a comfortable spot on deck and absorb the panoramas of Istanbul’s European side and historic peninsula from the water. Then, catch views of the medieval Galata Tower rising from the Galata district as you sail into the Bosphorus Strait.
During your cruise, listen to the informative commentary from the onboard guide. Have your camera ready to take snaps of top Istanbul landmarks such as the Bosphorus Bridge, the vast suspension bridge that spans the strait and connects the two continents.
Pass the extravagant Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the last architectural hurrahs of the Ottoman Empire; and take in the 15th-century Rumeli Fortress, with its round turrets and crenelated walls. Moor on Istanbul’s Asian shores and pay a visit to the ornate Küçüksu Palace. Constructed in the late Ottoman period of the mid-1800s, its relatively small size is more than made up for by its architectural grandeur.
Head inside to see the lavish rooms and furnishings as your guide tells tales of the sultan who resided here. The Küçüksu Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, so on these days, your visit will be substituted with a tour of the Rumeli Fortress.
After time at Küçüksu or the Rumeli Fortress, return to your boat and sail south along the Bosphorus again. Cruise into the Golden Horn and dock at Eminönü, a pier near one of old Istanbul’s spice bazaars, where your experience finishes.
Find a comfortable spot on deck and absorb the panoramas of Istanbul’s European side and historic peninsula from the water. Then, catch views of the medieval Galata Tower rising from the Galata district as you sail into the Bosphorus Strait.
During your cruise, listen to the informative commentary from the onboard guide. Have your camera ready to take snaps of top Istanbul landmarks such as the Bosphorus Bridge, the vast suspension bridge that spans the strait and connects the two continents.
Pass the extravagant Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the last architectural hurrahs of the Ottoman Empire; and take in the 15th-century Rumeli Fortress, with its round turrets and crenelated walls. Moor on Istanbul’s Asian shores and pay a visit to the ornate Küçüksu Palace. Constructed in the late Ottoman period of the mid-1800s, its relatively small size is more than made up for by its architectural grandeur.
Head inside to see the lavish rooms and furnishings as your guide tells tales of the sultan who resided here. The Küçüksu Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, so on these days, your visit will be substituted with a tour of the Rumeli Fortress.
After time at Küçüksu or the Rumeli Fortress, return to your boat and sail south along the Bosphorus again. Cruise into the Golden Horn and dock at Eminönü, a pier near one of old Istanbul’s spice bazaars, where your experience finishes.
Important Information
Departure Point
Your centrally located Istanbul hotel
Departure Time
11:30am
Return Details
Concludes at Eminönü, a pier near one of the city’s spice bazaars at approximately 2pm
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup
- Local guide
- Entrance fees Küçüksu Palace or Rumeli Hisarı
Exclusions
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and drinks
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee. If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Recent Traveller Reviews
Reviews collected by:
A TripAdvisor company
Hazem A
A Viator reviewer
Rafael A
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Nov 2016
It was as I expected, but the coordination for the pickup was not good. I was given a phone contact number but could never got someone in the other line. Fortunately the staff in the hotel was smart enough to connect me to the tour company.
Yun Y
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Jun 2016
Great tour
Shelly L.
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Jun 2016
Perfect day, perfect cruise. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about all the sight we saw on the Bosporus and the Rumeli Fortress was just what I wanted to see. Bekek is a wonderful Turkish city to eat in and wonder around. Thank you Viator for this tour. Again they delivered just what we expected.
Warren W
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Jun 2016
Great cruise, perfect length. Only caution is if you are doing just the cruise not the additional bus tour afterwards be aware that there is no return bus to your hotel. Therefore be very careful getting cab back to city core as road traffic in vicinity was chaotic and many rip-off cabbies operating in area : this a comment on the area, not the cruise.
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