Valentine's Day Yacht Cruise in Istanbul

Valentine's Day on the Bosphorus

On 14 February, the restaurants of Istanbul are full. On a private yacht, it is just the two of you. You board in the centre of the city, the yacht glides along the Bosphorus past palaces and mosques, and dinner is served by candlelight as the bridges light up in the evening sky. The table is dressed with roses and candles, and the crew looks after everything quietly in the background.

Every detail can be planned for your partner. We decorate the yacht with flowers, rose petals and balloons, bring a cake to the table, and arrange a violinist or live music for the evening. In February, dinner is served in the yacht's closed saloon with large windows, so you see the city lights from a warm, comfortable table, and step out on deck for photos by the Maiden's Tower.

Planning a proposal on Valentine's Day? See our marriage proposal packages, with a laser message on the bridge. We recommend 3 to 4 hours for a Valentine's dinner cruise. See all our yacht celebrations.

Valentine's Day yacht cruise highlights

• Just the two of youA whole yacht with captain and crew for your evening.
• Candlelit dinnerServed in the saloon or on deck, with the city lights outside.
• Roses and decorationRose petals, flowers, candles and balloons.
• Violin and musicA violinist or your own romantic playlist.
• The Maiden's Tower at nightPhotos by the illuminated tower.
• Comfortable in winterA closed saloon with large windows.

Planning a Valentine's Day yacht cruise: timing, weather and personal touches

Valentine's Day is one evening a year, and every couple in Istanbul seems to want it at the same time. A little planning makes the difference between a rushed booking and an evening that feels made for your partner.

Ask early and think about the date

• Contact us as early as you can. 14 February is one of the most requested evenings of the winter.
• If the 14th falls on a working day, consider the weekend before or after. You avoid an early start the next morning, and the city is just as beautiful.
• Tell us from the start whether you plan a quiet dinner, a gift or a bigger surprise, so the timing of the evening can be built around it.

Dressing for February on the Bosphorus

Winter evenings on the water are cold and often windy, even when the city feels mild. The sun sets around six in the evening at this time of year, so most of the cruise takes place after dark, with the lights of the palaces and bridges as your view.

• Bring a warm coat for the photos on deck, even if you dine inside.
• Choose shoes with a flat or low heel. Decks can be damp in winter, and a stiletto heel is never comfortable on a moving yacht.
• Long hair and scarves blow about at the bow, so plan the photos for a moment when the yacht slows down.

Small touches that make it personal

• Write a short letter or card and ask the crew to bring it with the cake.
• Tell us your partner's favourite flower and colour. Roses are classic, but not everyone's first choice.
• Send the violinist one or two songs that mean something to you both.
• If your partner does not drink alcohol, let us know, so the toast is just as festive without it.

If you are planning to propose

A proposal on 14 February is a lovely idea, but your partner may half expect it. A gift with the cake first, then the question later at the bow, keeps the surprise. See how a marriage proposal on a yacht is planned, read about the Maiden's Tower you will pass at night, and compare the yacht menus for dinner.

How the evening goes

1. Board at the pier
   A glass of champagne as the yacht leaves the pier.
2. Cruise the Bosphorus
   Palaces, mosques and the illuminated bridges.
3. Candlelit dinner
   Dinner for two with roses and music.
4. Cake and a surprise
   A cake, a gift or a proposal by the Maiden's Tower.

More romantic ideas

• Marriage Proposal on a YachtAsk the question on the Bosphorus
• Anniversary Yacht CruiseCelebrate the years together
• Private Dinner CruiseDinner under the city lights
• Private Sunset Yacht CruiseGolden hour for two

The Valentine's route

The yacht cruises the city part of the Bosphorus by night: the illuminated palaces, the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maiden's Tower.

On the way you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower. See the full route map and all the landmarks.

The captain keeps an easy pace so you can enjoy dinner, the cake and the music, and slows down for photos at the best spots. The route can be adapted to your plan.

Yachts for your valentine's day yacht cruise

For a Valentine's dinner, a smaller motor yacht with a cosy closed saloon is ideal. Tap a yacht to see more photos.

• 8 photos

  Our flagship

  White Istanbul

  24 m · up to 77 guests

• 8 photos

  Made for celebrations

  Crescent Star

  24 m · up to 130 guests

• 8 photos

  Our largest yacht

  Majesty

  44 m · up to 200 guests

• 9 photos

  Heated on both decks

  Blue Wave

  23 m · up to 60 guests

• 9 photos

  Brand new for 2026

  Sea Fairy

  22 m · up to 55 guests

• 9 photos

  Classic and elegant

  Ocean Breeze

  21 m · up to 40 guests

• 9 photos

  Sleek and sporty

  Riviera

  22 m · up to 20 guests

• 8 photos

  Two decks, heated saloon

  Blue Horizon

  18 m · up to 12 guests

• 8 photos

  Intimate and cosy

  Azure

  16.5 m · up to 12 guests

Tell us your plan for the evening, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts

Dinner for Valentine's Day

Every cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For dinner, choose one of our menus below, with Turkish mezes, a main course of meat, fish or chicken, and dessert. Champagne and wine can be added. You can also bring your own food and drinks, with a service fee of €10 per person.

On board

Our yacht menus

Swipe to see all menus →

Morning2Light bites3Dinner3

A relaxed dinner under the lights

Chicken Dinner Menu

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Steak dinner on the Bosphorus

Meat Dinner Menu

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Seasonal fish from the Turkish seas

Fish Dinner Menu

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See every menu in full detail

Prefer something else? Our private chef can prepare any menu you like: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a dinner designed around your occasion. Menus can be combined for larger groups, and alcoholic drinks are available as an extra.

What is included in your valentine's day yacht cruise

Make the evening yours

Choose from these to surprise your partner.

• Roses, rose petals and candles
• Heart balloons and a flower arch
• Cake for two
• Violinist or live music
• Champagne and wine
• Laser message on the Bosphorus Bridge
• Photographer

Valentine's Day yacht cruise prices: what affects your quote

Valentine's Day is a popular date, so book early. Your quote is based on five things:

• The yacht: size and capacity
• Duration: we recommend 3 to 4 hours
• Date and time: weekends, summer evenings and holidays are busiest
• Group size: number of adults and children
• Food, drinks and extras: what you add to the cruise

Send us your plan and we reply with a clear written quote, with every item listed and fuel and marina fees always included.

Meeting points for your valentine's day yacht cruise

Choose the pier closest to your hotel or home. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:

• European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
• Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi

Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.

What our guests say about our cruises

Booking and cancellation terms

1. At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
2. 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
3. 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
4. Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
5. Under 3 days100% of the tour price is due

Payment, cancellation and weather terms for all private tours are on one page: Read the full cancellation terms

Valentine's Day yacht cruise FAQ