See the Bosphorus up close
Most Bosphorus cruises stay on the water. This half-day sightseeing cruise stops three times, so you can walk around the landmarks you would otherwise only see from the deck. With a licensed guide you visit the waterfront of Ortaköy under the Bosphorus Bridge, the ornate Küçüksu Palace on the Asian shore and the mighty walls of Rumeli Fortress, with snacks and drinks on board between the stops.
It is a relaxed way to understand Istanbul's two continents in a single morning, and it leaves your afternoon free. At the end we drop you at your hotel, or at Dolmabahçe Palace, Karaköy or Eminönü if you want to continue exploring.
Sightseeing cruise highlights
- OrtaköyFree time by the mosque and the bridge, famous for its baked potatoes and waffles.
- Küçüksu PalaceA 19th-century Ottoman pavilion in Baroque style on the Asian shore.
- Rumeli FortressThe fortress Mehmet II built in a few months before the conquest of 1453.
- Licensed guideStories of the palaces and mansions as you cruise.
- Snacks and soft drinksOpen buffet snacks, tea and coffee on board.
- Flexible drop-offBack to your hotel, or to Dolmabahçe, Karaköy or Eminönü.
The sightseeing cruise route
The morning starts with a hotel pickup at around 09:00. The boat cruises between the European and Asian shores, stopping at Ortaköy, Küçüksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress. Tap the map to see the landmarks on the way.
Galata TowerA 14th-century Genoese stone tower above Karaköy, with one of the best views over the old city.
Dolmabahçe PalaceCompleted in 1856, the main residence of the last Ottoman sultans and Atatürk's final home.
Çırağan PalaceA marble waterfront palace built in the 1860s for Sultan Abdülaziz, today a luxury hotel.
Ortaköy MosqueA graceful 19th-century mosque right beside the Bosphorus Bridge, one of Istanbul's most photographed views.
Bosphorus BridgeOpened in 1973, the first bridge between Europe and Asia, lit in changing colours at night.
Beylerbeyi PalaceThe sultans' summer palace on the Asian shore, completed in 1865, right under the bridge.
Anadolu FortressBuilt in the 1390s by Sultan Bayezid I at the narrowest point of the strait.
Rumeli FortressBuilt in 1452 by Mehmed II in about four months, a year before the conquest of Constantinople.
Maiden's TowerThe small tower on an islet off Üsküdar, a symbol of Istanbul for centuries.
European shore
- Galata Bridge, where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus
- Galata Tower, the medieval stone tower above Karaköy
- Galataport, Istanbul's waterfront cruise port
- Dolmabahçe Palace, the 19th-century home of the Ottoman sultans
- Çırağan Palace, a marble Ottoman palace on the water's edge
- Ortaköy Mosque, set right beside the first bridge
- The Bosphorus Bridge, the first bridge between Europe and Asia
- Rumeli Fortress, built in 1452 before the conquest of Constantinople
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second bridge, where the yacht turns
Asian shore
- Kanlıca, the village famous for its yoghurt
- Amcazade Hüseyin Pasha Yalı, the oldest surviving waterfront mansion on the Bosphorus
- Anadolu Fortress, the Ottoman castle facing Rumeli Fortress
- Küçüksu Palace, an ornate Ottoman summer pavilion
- Kandilli, with its wooden mansions on the shore
- Kuleli, the landmark twin-towered building on the waterfront
- Çengelköy, a fishing village with seaside tea gardens
- Beylerbeyi Palace, the sultans' summer palace under the bridge
- Maiden's Tower, the small tower on an islet at the mouth of the strait
What is included in the sightseeing cruise
Included
- Half-day guided cruise of about 4.5 hours
- Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minibus
- Entrance fees for Küçüksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress (or the Maiden's Tower)
- Open buffet snacks and soft drinks on board
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Good to know before you go
- Küçüksu Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays and Rumeli Fortress on some weekdays; on those days we visit the Maiden's Tower instead.
- Children up to 2 years join for free.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the visits ashore.
- The cruise runs on a fixed schedule, so please arrive on time; the boat cannot wait for late guests.
What our guests say about our cruises
468 reviews on Tripadvisor
Read all reviews“Very nice and friendly staff. Thank you!”
M A · September 2026
Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury Yacht
“Fantastic tour. Guides were incredible. Service was great. Highly recommend.”
Patrick M · September 2026
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
“it was a great tour. We were very satisfied. reliable tourism business.”
558beyza_ · April 2023
Acetes Travel
Reviews from Tripadvisor, shown as written by guests.
Booking, payment and cancellation
- BookingReserve here, on WhatsApp or by email. No prepayment.
- ConfirmationWe confirm your seats and meeting time, usually within the hour.
- On the dayPay in cash in euro, US dollar or Turkish lira.
- 24+ hours beforeCancel or change your date free of charge.
- Under 24 hoursLate cancellations and no-shows cannot be refunded.
If a cruise is cancelled because of bad weather or an official warning, you choose a new date or cancel at no cost. These terms are for shared cruises; private yachts have their own private tour terms.
Sightseeing cruise FAQ
How much is the Bosphorus sightseeing cruise?
€75 per person, including hotel pickup, the guide, snacks and soft drinks on board, and the entrance fees for the visits.
Which stops does the cruise make?
Ortaköy on the European shore, Küçüksu Palace on the Asian shore and Rumeli Fortress. If a palace or the fortress is closed that day, we visit the Maiden's Tower instead.
How long is the sightseeing cruise?
About four and a half hours, starting with a hotel pickup at around 09:00.
Where does the tour end?
We drop you back at your hotel, or, if you prefer, at Dolmabahçe Palace, Karaköy near the Galata Tower, or Eminönü by the Spice Bazaar.
Is lunch included?
No, but open buffet snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee are served on board. For lunch on the water, see our Bosphorus lunch cruise.
Can we do a private sightseeing cruise?
Yes. On a private Bosphorus yacht cruise your group chooses the time, the route and the stops.
