Best tourist activities to do in Istanbul:
Istanbul Bosphorus boat and Yacht cruises (Guide with Advice)

With this article, we will try to inform all travel lovers who visit Istanbul for the first time and do not know about Istanbul what they can do. Istanbul is such a big and crowded city that you will definitely need a local guide or a guiding document when doing tourist activities. This guide articele will help you to plan your trip befor visiting Istanbul.

Based on this thought, we are going to reccoment to you the best touristic activities you can do in Istanbul.

If you are interested in yacht and boat tours, we definitely recommend you follow our recommendations. First of all, one of the most popular and beautiful activities you can do in Istanbul is the Istanbul Bosphorus yacht or boat cruises. Now, let us give you information about the Istanbul Bosphorus and the activities that can be done.

Istanbul Bosphorus:

Bosphorus; which is unique in the world, has been the center of attraction for all empires throughout history, and therefore many iconic historical palaces, towers, fortresses, and mansions were built on the Asian and European sides. Magnificent structures such as Galata Tower, Topkapı Palace, Maiden's Tower, Beylerbeyi Palace, Küçüksu Mansion, Rumeli Fortress, and Anadolu Fortress are lined up like pearls along the shores of the Bosphorus.

However, the most important feature of the Bosphorus is the only natural waterway in the world that separates two continent Asia and Europe. While visiting the Bosphorus, one side of you will be Asian and the other side will be the European continent. The Bosphorus, which is of great strategic importance, is the only gateway for many European countries to the open seas.

Information about the Bosphorus:

The Bosphorus is a gateway connecting Asia and Europe and is 30 kilometers long. It is the point connecting the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. The depth of the Bosphorus is 60 meters on average, and the deepest point reaches up to 120 meters. Its width is very variable due to its distance from the shore, and its widest point is 3500 meters. If we come to the narrowest part, it is on the side of the Rumeli Fortress, the room corresponds to an average of 760 meters. The length of the coasts also varies according to the structure of the coasts, while the European coasts reach 55 kilometers in total, while the Asian coasts reach 35 kilometers.

Geopolitical Importance of the Bosphorus:

Since it is the only point connecting the Black Sea to the open seas in its south, it has had serious geopolitical importance in all periods of history. For this reason, it has become a strait that the world powers desire to have when its economic returns are taken into account.

Dates and Names of Bosphorus Bridges:

The first connection between Asia and Europe, that is, two continents, was established in 1973, with the completion of the Bosphorus Bridge. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which is the second bridge of the Bosphorus, was opened in 1988 and connected the Bosphorus for the second time. The third meeting of the Bosphorus in 2017 was realized with the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.

Why is the Bosphorus so popular?

We have explained to you the strategic and economic importance of the Bosphorus above. Now let's try to tell you why it is very important in terms of tourism.

First of all, every tourist who has visited Istanbul has participated in an Istanbul Bosphorus tour.

Think that you are going to join a boat tour and you will have opportuniti to see two continet (Eroupe and Asia) together isn't it fantastic! and you will admire the most important historical structures of many empires throughout history are lined up along the Bosphorus coast of Istanbul. In addition to historical buildings, it stands out with many different features such as magnificent nature, separating the continents of Asia and Europe, and magnificent sunset.

Today, people want to do much more interesting and unique things, especially for the marriage proposal. What do you think about the marriage proposal to your lover between Europe and Asia continents? On a luxury yacht, romantic dinner, fireworks display and Wouldn't it be great to marriage propose at sunset next to the Maiden's Tower, about which many love legends have been written?

Yes, it will be a great idea. Acetes Travel can make the marriage proposal organization in Istanbul very special for you. Believe me, you will feel very, very special and be sure she will say yes.

Istanbul Bosphorus European and Asian side map:

Click to see the Istanbul Bosphorus map and historical places on the Asian and European sides...

Istanbul Bosphorus Pictures:

Historical Structures on the Bosphorus Asian and European sides:

Galata Tower: One of the best locations where you can watch Istanbul from a 360-degree birds-eye view and take magnificent pictures...

Maiden’s Tower: A magnificent tower in the middle of the sea, about which many legends are written, you will have the opportunity to take wonderful pictures, especially at sunset.

Dolmabahce Palace: The house of the Ottoman sultans and the palace where Atatürk passed away. The pearl of the Bosphorus with its garden, clock tower, and magnificent palace…

Ortakoy: One of the favorites of locals and tourists, it is famous for its long beach, cafes, and restaurants.

Rumeli Fortress: The location where you can take the best picture with a magnificent view on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus…

Beylerbeyi Palace: Summer palace of the Ottoman sultans. Its magnificent garden is worth seeing.

Places worth seeing on the Bosphorus:

Maiden’s Tower: Why should you visit Maiden's Tower? Istanbul Maiden's Tower is a historical building in the middle of the sea with a magnificent view, which has no connection with the land. Today, it serves as a cafe and restaurant. Maiden's Tower, about which many legends have been written throughout history, has a magnificent view to take pictures. Istanbul Maiden's Tower is an absolute must-see when you travel.

Dolmabahce Palace: Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the pearls of the Bosphorus with its architecture, decoration, and garden, is the home of the last Ottoman emperors and a palace where Atatürk (The Founder of the Republic of Turkey) spent his last years. Visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, Dolmabahçe Palace is a must-see location.

Rumeli Fortress: Rumeli Fortress, which played a very important role in the conquest of Istanbul, is a location where you can watch the Bosphorus on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus and take great pictures with its magnificent view.

The Top Things to See and Do on the Bosphorus in Istanbul:

It has a wide range of activities that can be done in the Istanbul Bosphorus. However, the most important activity is the Istanbul Bosphorus boat or yacht tour. Between the Asian and European coasts, in the cool waters of the Bosphorus, you will really enjoy watching the magnificent historical structures while sipping your drinks. You can definitely find a tour suitable for your budget and travel plan on the Bosphorus, where you will feel yourself in an open-air museum.

The Bosphorus will fascinate you not only with its historical structures but also with its natural beauties. Especially in the spring, both sides of the Bosphorus are adorned with a riot of colors with mimosa flowers.

Let's come to the question of which Istanbul Bosphorus tour; it all depends on your own interest, budget, and time schedule. But let's try to give you a few tips.

If you like culture, entertainment, and trying different cuisines, our first advice to you is to join the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show. You will reach the peak of entertainment until late on this tour, where a romantic dinner, entertainment, belly dance, and Turkish folk dances are exhibited in the Bosphorus, which turns into a riot of lights in the evening.
If you prefer to travel on a luxury yacht with smaller groups, our recommendation is the Bosphorus Sunset Cruise. Especially for those who like to take pictures and share them on social media, we definitely recommend them to participate. The pictures you will take in front of the Maiden's Tower at sunset will arouse admiration. You will feel very special with snacks, tea, coffee, and wine on this luxury yacht cruise.
Bosphorus Lunch Cruise with local guided is also one of the most popular boat cruises you can join. In these 2.5-hour or 4.5-hour half-day tours, you will experience the entire history of the Bosphorus with snacks, lunch, and local guide service.

Cruise on bosphorus:

When you visit Istanbul and ask one of the locals what I can do in Istanbul, they will undoubtedly recommend you to join the Istanbul Bosphorus cruise. The Bosphorus is a unique region in the world due to its historical structures, natural beauty, and separating the continents Asia and Europe. You will have the chance to see and take pictures of both Asian and European continents in the cool waters of the Bosphorus.

Well, if we try to answer the question of what kind of activities can be done on the Bosphorus;

The most popular Istanbul Bosphorus boat cruise is the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show. Thanks to this tour, you can have fun with a romantic dinner, belly dance shows, Turkish folk dances, and DJ performances.
The other one is Bosphorus Sunset Cruise. The most important aspect of this tour is the opportunity to take magnificent pictures of the Bosphorus at sunset. On this tour, where snacks and beverages are served, you can get information about the history of the Bosphorus with a local guide.
You can experience the history of the Bosphorus, accompanied by a local guide, on the Bosphorus Lunch Cruise, which we can recommend for those who like to travel during the day. With the lunch service, you can sit back and enjoy the Bosphorus.

Best Istanbul Bosphorus boat tours:

Let's list the best Istanbul Bosphorus boat tours for you;

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
Bosphorus Lunch Cruise
Bosphorus and Black Sea Cruise with Lunch
Dolmabahce Palace Tour and Bosphorus Cruise
Istanbul Princes Islands Tour

Best Istanbul Bosphorus Yacht tours:

Let's list the best Istanbul Bosphorus yacht tours for you;

Istanbul Sunset Yacht Cruise
Private Bosphorus Yacht Cruise

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise prices:

The price range of Istanbul Bosphorus tours varies according to the duration of the tour and the free services.

The price of half-day Istanbul Bosphorus tours is generally between 25 – 45 Euros. These tours, which generally start at noon, are held with lunch. In the evening tours, dinner and Turkish night shows are served.

Full-day tours were 8-9 hour tours that started early in the morning and lasted until the evening. Lunch and snacks are served on these tours, and a local guide service is available. The price is around 45-75 Euros.

In all Istanbul Bosphorus tours, departure and return transfer services are provided from the central locations of Istanbul.

Best tourist activities to do in Istanbul:
Istanbul Bosphorus boat and Yacht cruises (Guide with Advice)

Bosphorus Cruise

Bosphorus Dining Cruises

Istanbul Tours

Bosphorus Private Cruises

Turkey Tours

Best tourist activities to do in Istanbul: Istanbul Bosphorus boat and Yacht cruises (Guide with Advice)

Bosphorus Cruise

Bosphorus Dining Cruises

Istanbul Tours

Bosphorus Private Cruises

Turkey Tours

Best tourist activities to do in Istanbul:
Istanbul Bosphorus boat and Yacht cruises (Guide with Advice)