A sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, the easy way
The Bosphorus sunset cruise is the most loved evening in Istanbul, and you do not need to rent a whole yacht to enjoy it. Join a small group on one of our luxury motor yachts, pay per seat, and spend two and a half hours on the water as the sun sets behind the old city. Your live guide tells the stories of the palaces, fortresses and wooden mansions on both shores, and there is plenty of time to sit back with a glass of wine.
The yacht leaves Karaköy before sunset, sails north along the European shore to the second bridge and returns along the Asian side, so you see the golden hour light on Dolmabahçe and Çırağan palaces, the Bosphorus Bridge and Rumeli Fortress, then the city lights coming on as you head back past the Maiden's Tower. It is the perfect way to end a busy day of sightseeing. Want the yacht only for your group? See our private sunset yacht cruise.
Sunset cruise highlights
- Golden hour between two continentsWatch the sun go down over the Istanbul skyline from the open deck.
- Live guide on boardThe stories of the palaces, mosques and fortresses as you pass them.
- Wine includedTwo glasses of wine, Turkish coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks.
- Small group on a luxury yachtA comfortable motor yacht, not a crowded ferry.
- Photos at the Maiden's TowerWe pass close to the tower on the way back, in the last light.
- From €26 per personNo prepayment: book now and pay on the day.
How long is the Bosphorus sunset cruise?
The cruise takes about two and a half hours. Boarding is before sunset, so the start time moves through the year: early evening in summer and late afternoon in winter. When you book, we send you the exact meeting time for your date.
- Meet at Karaköy
Meet our team by the pier near the Mimar Sinan statue and board the yacht. - The European shore at golden hour
Sail past Galataport, Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace and Ortaköy Mosque to the Bosphorus Bridge. - Rumeli Fortress and the second bridge
The yacht continues to the narrowest point of the strait and turns near the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. - Sunset and the Asian shore
Return past Kanlıca, Küçüksu Palace, Kuleli and Beylerbeyi Palace as the sun goes down. - City lights and the Maiden's Tower
The bridges and palaces light up as you pass the Maiden's Tower and return to Karaköy.
What will you see on the sunset cruise?
The route covers the most famous landmarks on both sides of the Bosphorus. Tap the map to explore them.
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
Drinks and snacks on board
Two glasses of wine per guest are included, together with Turkish coffee, unlimited tea, soft drinks and light snacks such as nuts, crackers and fruit. You are welcome to bring your own drinks; our crew will serve them for you.
What is included in the sunset cruise
Included
- Bosphorus sunset cruise of about 2.5 hours on a luxury yacht
- Live guide on board
- Two glasses of wine per guest
- Turkish coffee, unlimited tea and soft drinks
- Light snacks such as nuts, crackers and fruit
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Extra drinks (you can bring your own)
- Dinner
- Tips
Good to know before you go
- The meeting point is Karaköy pier, near the Mimar Sinan statue. Take the T1 tram to Karaköy, or the M2 metro to Karaköy (Azapkapı exit), and walk 4 to 5 minutes.
- There is no hotel pickup on this cruise. Staying on the Asian side? Take the ferry from Kadıköy to Karaköy, about 20 minutes.
- Children up to 4 years join for free; children from 5 to 7 years get 30% off.
- Bring a light jacket for the evening breeze, even in summer.
- 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.
Sunset cruise FAQ
How much is the Bosphorus sunset cruise?
The shared sunset cruise starts from €26 per person, with wine, snacks and a live guide included. Children up to 4 years are free and children from 5 to 7 get 30% off. You pay on the day; there is no online payment.
What time does the sunset cruise start?
Boarding is before sunset, so the time changes with the season: early evening in summer and late afternoon in winter. We send you the exact meeting time when we confirm your booking.
Where does the sunset cruise depart from?
From Karaköy pier, near the Mimar Sinan statue. It is a short walk from the Karaköy tram stop (T1) and the Karaköy metro station (M2).
Is hotel pickup included?
No, this cruise starts at the pier. Karaköy is easy to reach by tram from Sultanahmet, Eminönü and Kabataş, and by metro from Taksim.
Can I bring my own drinks?
Yes. Two glasses of wine are included, and you are welcome to bring more of your own drinks; the crew will serve them.
Do I need to pay in advance?
No. Send your booking request, we confirm your seats, and you pay on the day in cash in euro, US dollar or Turkish lira.
What happens if it is cloudy or raining?
The cruise goes ahead in light rain or clouds, and the views of the city lights are there whatever the sky. If the cruise is cancelled for bad weather or an official warning, you choose a new date or cancel at no cost.
Is the sunset cruise good for children?
Yes, families are welcome. Children up to 4 years are free and children from 5 to 7 get 30% off. The yacht has seating inside and on deck.
Can we have the yacht just for our group?
Yes. Our private sunset yacht cruise gives your group the whole yacht, your own pier and time, and dinner on board if you like.
