The thought of a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul did not fill me with excitement. Winter is not the ideal time to be sitting on a boat, shivering with cold. However, every Istanbul travel expert recommended the Bosphorus as a “must do tour” to be on my bucket list.
The problem was the cost. Local Istanbul tour agents sold Bosphorus tour tickets priced at fifty euros or more. They promised an elaborate dinner, a stunning sunset view, and a great evening show, but I was on a budget. Then one afternoon, while wandering around the fish boats of Galata Bridge, we saw a ferry sign advertising unbelievably cheap Bosphorus cruises.
My Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul
We jumped on board, and after filling with passengers, the ferry slowly backed away from the harbour and bridge and departed on its journey. It was a makeshift Bosphorus cruise! The decor and seating were bland and uncomfortable, the free coffee served by the café was vile, and the itinerary listing all major shoreline landmarks blasted loudly over the speakers in Turkish, not English ensuring I could not understand a word.
In addition, it started raining, and many of my photos were marked with water drops. Yet this simple cruise was one of the satisfying tours I have completed in Istanbul. I even enjoyed the mischievous seagulls that followed the boats waiting for customers to throw bread in the air. So what changed my opinion?
This Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul enhanced my intrigue and obsession with the former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. On the Bosphorus shore banks stand different ancient and unique landmarks that cannot be ignored by any Istanbul enthusiast. We also passed numerous Istanbul neighbourhoods, all respected by locals for one unique characteristic or tradition. For someone who considered herself an expert in Turkish travel, I discovered more on that short cruise than I did on two previous city breaks. My shame at ignoring the importance and history of one of Istanbul’s most prominent locations was kept to myself.
History of the Bosphorus in Istanbul
This 31-kilometre strait of water in Istanbul is the boundary between East and West. The Bosphorus has always been an important strategic point for governments, empires, business, and warfare. Allied powers fought for it in the First World War and failed miserably, causing many casualties at the Gallipoli campaign. The Russians launched many operations to gain control of the Bosphorus during the latter 19th century, and presently many oil tankers from the East travel through on their way to the West. Transportation plans by the government are always on the books, and the latest project is to build a third suspension bridge over the strait that connects the two continents.
Ottoman Yali Houses of Istanbul
The Yali houses are the best Istanbul Bosphorus landmarks. Built during the Ottoman Empire, their architectural styles blend discreetly into the scenery. Often made from wood, they were the summer houses of wealthy Ottomans, and notable properties include the yali of Huseyin pasha built in 1699 and the Erbilgin Yalisi, listed as the fifth most expensive house in the world when it went on sale for 100 million USD. Many yali houses of the Bosphorus in Istanbul are still occupied and in front of them sit luxury yachts, owned by rich people who can afford a property on one of the most crucial water straits in the world. Some old yalis have been renovated and turned into luxury boutique hotels.
Palaces, Mosques, and Castles of the Bosphorus
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul was the first home for the Ottoman sultans and was built in its location because the wealthy and elite favoured sea travel. However, when they grew tired of its ancient architecture, Ottoman rulers then built a second palace called Dolmabahce on the shores of the Bosphorus in the European Besiktas district. From the cruise boat, the obvious neoclassical architecture style, which was a first for that era, is seen plainly in the exterior facade of Dolmabahce Palace.
In addition, prominent mosques such as Ortakoy and old castles like Rumelian castle also complete the generic makeup of the Bosphorus. Lastly, don’t forget from the Golden Horn, you can also see the famous Galata tower that stands out on Istanbul’s city horizon. So, now I must make a humble apology for underestimating the importance of the Bosphorus, not because of its strategic importance but because of its ability to portray modern-day and historical Istanbul. So, although I ticked a Bosphorus cruise off on my bucket list, I added many more items to it, including local Istanbul neighbourhoods to explore.
What About a Bosphorus Night Cruise?
The cheapest Bosphorus tour experience is daily ferries departing from the Eminonu area of Istanbul throughout the day. However, you might want to jazz it up a bit, in which case, if you have the budget, be a guest on a night dinner cruise that includes live shows. When you purchase an Istanbul e-ticket package, there is the option of an Istanbul Bosphorus dinner cruise and show included in the price. They offer a pick-up and drop off service from centrally located hotels, or you can head to the meeting point at Kabatas. They met at sunset, and you have not already heard, the sunset views of Istanbul are amazing.
Enjoy welcome cocktail drinks while setting off on the Bosphorus cruise, and then tuck into your dinner. That food includes starters, main course, and dessert, with non-imported alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks. After dinner, admire buildings lit up at night like Ciragan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Kuleli Military High Scholl, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower attraction. Alternatively, enjoy the entertainment, including belly dancer, Whirling Dervish, Turkish Gypsy Dance, Caucasian Dance, other Turkish Folk Dances, and a DJ performance. The price is an all-rounder leaving you free to enjoy the evening and other sightseeing attractions in Istanbul.
More About Sightseeing in Istanbul
There is lots more to see and visit in Istanbul city both on the European and Asian sides. My Istanbul category talks about private tours and independent guides, as well as places you can visit on your own.
What a wonderful story. Istanbul is one of the cities I want to visit – take a longer time there. Great recommendation in what the short cruise is concerned. Loved the photos too, and the blend between data, historical facts and images.
The palaces are stunning! They instantly reminded me of St. Petersburg, even though architecture there tends to be more opulent. The “water palaces”, that´s what I got used to call them, were my favorite thing when in Russia. I had the opportunity to see them during white nights period, so I guess that´s why the memory is so persistent. I see Turkey should be next on my list, I´ve always liked the way it´s presented as being on the crossroads of two continents.. If you want to live and breathe history what better place than Turkey, right? Thanks for the inspiration. Cheers, Adam.
Very beautiful place…
I did a cruise on the Bosporus years ago and I loved it. Your photos are gorgeous, that first photo is just stunning.
Beautiful photos! Definitely not the usual suspects when I see photos of Istanbul. It certainly seems like the cruise should be a must on every Istanbul itinerary.
It’s funny how you can take part in an single activity and have it change your perspective. The photos are stunning as well!
When ottoman time Bosphorus wasn’t so popular. Sadabat (at Kagithane) was popular than Bosphorus. Yali’s generally was build bu Sultan’s wife.
Gorgeous photos totally convince me! I’d love to do such a tour.
I loved taking the passenger ferry across the Bosphorus to Kadikoy when I was living there but never tried any of the tourist cruises because of their prices 🙁 Thanks for sharing, but damn you for not sharing sooner! 🙂 I hope this one will still be available and cheap next year when I come back.
We took a cruise of the Bosporus in the summer of 03 on a stop on a cruise on the Golden Princess. We expect to be back there about a year from now and may well choose to do another one. It was magnificent, and even happened to be on our wedding anniversary, so was particularly significant.
Those houses are pretty great…it’s the equivalent of a Hollywood celebrity neighborhood tour, 400 years later.
I wonder why anyone would want to see a “show” on board a boat in the Bosphorus. To me, the scenery and history IS the show. Thanks for posting. I enjoyed the images of the architecture. Nothing like this in Utah, USA!
Amazing recommendation, review and truly briliiant and inspiring accompanying photographs! I would love to take you up on it and can’t help but think that Istanbul is one of the most beautiful city’s in the world!
What a feast to the eye Natalie, one of my favorite parts of Istanbul is the Bosphorus; simply breathtaking. For me the best way to enjoy it is through ferry / vapur. You don’t get the commentary but you are a part of the local scene, and ferry zig zag between both sides of the Bosphorus in a leisurely way, and it is at a fraction of the cost.
In 2010 I took a tour to Anadolu Kavagi….It was a chance to me to see not only two sides of Bosforus but rest of bizantine fortres in Anadolu Kavagi and Black Sea shore also…it was about 5 hours tour and cost 20 TL.
One thing to avoid are the touts selling 3 hour trips including a stopover of one hour at 20tl+, the “Stopover” consists of being disembarked on the shore for an hour in a park by the side of a busy road with nothing to do for an hour until the boat returns. These are usually done by small private boats and it may be necessary to wait for a long time until they have sold enough tickets to make the journey financially viable.
Some touts are from the larger boats but it is not possible to tell one from t’other. Better to walk along to Gallata Bridge where the big boats are moored and see which boat has passengers on board as they will be first to leave.
These boats don’t stop off anywhere but do a round trip of an hour and three quarters for 12tl. The boats pass under the Bosphorus Road bridge which is of interest to me personally as it was built in Darlington, my home town by “The Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co.”.
Like you Natalie, many visits to Istanbul have never involved the Bosphorous Cruise tour, although last year my friend had his birthday celebrations on one of the dinner boats which he privately leased. Nothing much to see in the dark however, and anyway too much eating and drinking going on. So it is with regret that I have never seen the sights that you describe although have promised myself for the next visit there.
WOW…Impressive photos, despite the rain! Glad to hear you were able to learn a few new things and find a newfound respect for the Bosphorus. Guess there is always more to see in Instanbul no matter how long you have been there, huh?