Magpie
4.9(2,249 reviews)

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise

FromTRY 50
2 hours
Istanbul, Turkey

About this activity

Experience a luxurious sunset cruise along Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait, offering stunning views of the city's landmarks and skyline.

Highlights

  • Cruise past Dolmabahçe Palace
  • View the iconic Bosphorus Bridge
  • See the historic Rumeli Fortress
  • Witness the sunset over the Maiden's Tower
  • Enjoy panoramic views of Istanbul's skyline

Full description

Set sail on a luxurious yacht along Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait, where the city's rich history meets breathtaking natural beauty. As the sun sets, witness iconic landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and the Maiden's Tower bathed in golden hues. Sip on complimentary beverages and savor light snacks while a professional guide shares insights into Istanbul's storied past. This evening cruise offers a unique perspective of the city's skyline, making it an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking both relaxation and cultural enrichment.

Included / Excluded

  • Luxury yacht ride along the Bosphorus Strait
  • Complimentary beverages and snacks
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

1

"This beautiful strait, sometimes spelled Bosporus and sometimes Bosphorus, was so called from the earliest ages by the ancients; from the mythology of 10, the mistress of Jupiter, having passed over it in the shape of a cow. It resembles the Dardanelles, in length, breadth and current, and like it, is a narrow separation which divides Europe from Asia; but it has many features familiar to itself. Instead of being a solitary stream running between deserted shores, it is a body of water full of life and animation, winding its way through banks covered with palaces and villages, shaded with magnificent forest trees, presenting to the eye, at every mile, a new scene of crowded existence."

Duration: 2h 30mAdmission: YES
2

Pass by: Dolmabahce Palace stands on the European shore of the Bosphorus and the with its various dependencies forms almost a little town, its gardens extending for a mile or more along the water's edge.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

Pass by: Ortaköy Mosque, officially the Büyük Mecidiye Camii in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, is situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Pass by: Which was inaugurated on October 29, 1973 on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, has the longest span in Europe and the fourth in the world. This suspension bridge has a total length of 1560 metres (1706 yards) and a width of 33.4 metres (110ft).

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

Pass by: Situated between Besiktas and Ortaköy on the European shore of the Bosphorus stands the ruins of the Ciragan Palace, built by Sultan Abdülaziz, during the years 1863-1867. It resembles the Dolmabahce Palace with its long facade and its baroque architectural style.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

Pass by: RUMELISHISARI FORTRESS - (RUMELIHISARI CASTLE) At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus stands the Rumelihisarr Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror on the European shore. The Sultan himself on the 26th day of March 1452 laid the foundation stone of the Fortress with a view to controlling the passage of the ships through the Bosphorus and using it as a base for his attack on the city.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

Pass by: In the 19th century, Ottoman aristocrats picked Bebek's ideal location to build their summer houses and palaces. Today it is still a popular residential area.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8

Pass by: Kanlıca is a neighborhood on the Asian side of the Bosphorus strait, in the Beykoz district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Kanlica is known for its popular specialty, yogurt topped with castor sugar, offered in local restaurants and cafés.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9

Pass by: On the opposite bank stands the Anadoluhisari Fortress by the Göksu stream. This romantic castle which adorns the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus was built in 1395 by Sultan Bayazit, the Thunderbolt and named as "Güzelcehisar". Later it was extended by Mehmet, the Conqueror. Today, as the first possession of Turks on the Bosphorus, it serves as the landmark of Turkish rule.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10

Pass by: KUCUKSU PALACE The summer Palace of Kucuksu, sometimes called the Palace of Göksu, is situated between the villages of Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11

Pass by: The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosphorus strait. When completed in 1988, it was the 5th-longest suspension bridge span in the world; today it is the 24th.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
12

Pass by: BEYLERBEYI PALACE Situated on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus between the villages of Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, the palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1865. Beylerbeyi Palace seen from the Bosphorus floats like a white vision in a fairy tale. It is the most extravagant royal house of the 19th Century on which millions were spent.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
13

Pass by: The Galata Bridge is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. From the end of the 19th century in particular, the bridge has featured in Turkish literature, theater, poetry and novels.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
14

Pass by: The Galata Tower — called Christea Turris by the Genoese — is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn's junction with the Bosphorus.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
15

Pass by: KIZKULESI (MAIDEN'S TOWER - LEANDER'S TOWER) About 180 metres away from the shores of Üsküdar stands this tower which bears two different names. Europeans who named it the Leander's Tower thought that it was here where Leander was drowned while attempting to swim the Bosphorus to reach his beloved Hero, the priestess of Aphrodite. But, in fact, Leander never crossed here even in the legend which refers to the Hellespont, Dardanelles.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
16

Pass by: One of the popular areas of the historical peninsula, the Golden Horn shores are among the must-see places on your Istanbul trip. It is long and narrow but also has a horn-shaped geographical structure. For this reason, it is also known as the Golden Horn. Haliç is also one of the most important trade centers of old Istanbul.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The cruise operates in all weather conditions; cancellations are rare.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • The yacht is wheelchair accessible; please inform in advance for assistance.

Know before you go

  • Dress comfortably and consider bringing a light jacket for cooler evenings.
  • Arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning sunset views and landmarks.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infants Required On Laps

Good to know

  • The cruise is weather permitting and schedule may change daily
  • This is a small group cruise, not a private cruise
  • We kindly ask you come to the meeting point 15 minutes before the cruise departure time.
  • Please provide us your WhatsApp number while booking the cruise, we will send you the Pin location of the meeting point and other details how to find us easily in the pier.
  • Schedule subject to change without notice

Traveler reviews

4.9
2,249 reviews
5
2,065
4
140
3
22
2
10
1
12

Boat tour

Comfortable enjoyable tour. Great information and well looked after.

stefanmK6068ZNMay 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Bosphorus cruise

It was an amazing experience one should definitely try when you are in istanbul. The yatch experience was totally worth it with amazing service by their team.

anupam_sMay 24, 2026VIATOR

Pick this cruise, you won't regret it

Best yacht cruise on Bosphorus. Guide was funny, and informative. Yacht was good quality and spacious, everyone had a good view. Snacks were plentiful. Made an effort to ensure people got the photos they wanted. Clear instructions on getting there and responsive on WhatsApp

Thomas_WMay 23, 2026VIATOR

A cute trip, little bit of history, and a lovely sunset

We had a great time enjoying the sunset and seeing Istanbul from a distance. It's so hard to describe the vastness of it but from a boat you can really see it. Thank you for a fun experience and some wonderful photos

stevencD5749JZMay 23, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Nice

Nice tour to see European and Asian sides of Istanbul

244adrijMay 22, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

The cruise is weather permitting and schedule may change daily This is a small group cruise, not a private cruise We kindly ask you come to the meeting point 15 minutes before the cruise departure time. Please provide us your WhatsApp number while booking the cruise, we will send you the Pin location of the meeting point and other details how to find us easily in the pier. Schedule subject to change without notice
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