Bosphorus Cruises
A cruise on the Bosphorus Strait is one of the activities that you shouldn't miss when visiting Istanbul. Prices are reasonable and the views, both during the day and at night, are stunning.
During the cruise, you'll enjoy views of various palaces (including the Bylerbeyi, Ciragan, and Dolmbahçe palaces) and enjoy the lively atmosphere that extends outside the historic center, especially in summer.
What Is the Bosphorus?
The Bosphorus is the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and divides Istanbul into two parts, the European and Asian sides. The total length of the stretch is 18.64 miles (30 kilometers) long, and the width varies between 2206 feet (700 meters) and almost 2.48 miles (4 kilometers), where it opens to the Black Sea.
To cross the strait there are two bridges: the Boğaziçi (to the south) and the Fatih Sultan Mehmed (to the north). Both have a width of a little more than a kilometer (a little over 0.6 miles).
The crossing of seas and continents that the Bosphorus represents was fundamental in choosing the location of Constantinople.
Kinds of Excursions
Of the two different kinds of boat rides on the Bosphorus, we recommend that you choose one that lasts at least 1.5 hours and takes you to the second bridge on the Bosphorus.
When you arrive at the second bridge, you can see the Rumeli Hisar Fort, a castle built in the mid-16th century to prevent the Byzantine fleet from crossing the strait.
If you have plenty of time in the city and want to take a longer cruise, there are boats which go to "Bogaz Iskelesi", and take 1.5 hours each way. When you arrive, you'll have almost 2 hours to visit the town and eat in one of its restaurants. This boat has three departure times: 10:35 am, 12:00 and 1:35 pm.
Whichever cruise on the Bosphorus you choose, if you want to get a good seat, we recommend that you get to the boat at least 15 minutes before its departure.
Where to Book the Cruise?
If you don't want to waste any time booking your cruise on the Bosphorus, you can do so directly on our website. Check out all the information and book through these links:
Nearby places
Spice Bazaar (156 m) Galata Bridge (240 m) Suleymaniye Hammam (521 m) Galata Tower (846 m) The Grand Bazaar (893 m)
