Türkiye · BOSPHORUS CRUISES

The 15 Best Bosphorus Cruises in Istanbul

72 tours  ·  from $7 a head

Ferries, yachts and dinner boats all cover the same water; what changes is whether you get a guide, a meal or just a seat. These 15 are priced and timed, with a note on which sail at sunset and which come with a table booked.

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table - Dolmabahçe and the European shore
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

1.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44,561 reviews · from $34Our pick

Spend three hours aboard the Mega Lüfer yacht, sailing between Europe and Asia while enjoying a three-course Turkish meal, live folk dance, flamenco, belly dance, music, and DJ sets. Your private table, onboard Wi-Fi, optional transfers, and mobile audio guide make this a polished evening choice. Staff members such as Devran, Talip, Murat, and Fatih are frequently praised for attentive service.

“The activity was well organized, from the pick-up from the hotel to the experience on the boat. We didn’t expect much about the food, but it was actually great! The service and the dancers were amazing as well. We had a lot of fun I would definitely recommend this experience! Thank you also to our driver who was really patient, drove safely and was very friendly! Well done!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show - Dinner from spicy starters to grilled mains
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show

2.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10,127 reviews · from $34

Spend three hours sailing between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores with dinner, unlimited soft drinks, Turkish coffee and tea, live music, DJ sets, and a 1.5-hour Turkish Night show. You’ll pass illuminated palaces, mosques, fortresses, and bridges. Hotel transfers may be added, and staff members such as Elvis, Mert, Ibrahim, and Tufan are known for attentive service.

“The experience was fantastic. Great value for the money and the shows were so entertaining. Definitely worth the go”

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Istanbul: Perfume Making Workshop with Bosphorus View - Should you book the Istanbul perfume workshop?
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Istanbul: Perfume Making Workshop with Bosphorus View

3.Perfume Making Workshop with Bosphorus View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,985 reviews · 2 hours · from $28Top rated

At İSKELE SOKAK LEZZETLERİ, English or Turkish-speaking guides such as Tuana, Elif, Beren, and Irmak lead you through perfume notes and blending. Test more than 50 scents, create a personal 50ml fragrance, enjoy tea, and leave with a packaged souvenir from the restaurant’s fourth-floor Bosphorus setting.

“Bryan and Serena made the experience so much fun and helped take the guess work out of making my new signature scent. I had a great time. Definitely book it.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide - Dolmabahçe Palace and the European shore
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

4.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,845 reviews · 2h 15m · from $19

Sail from Kabataş between Europe and Asia on a 135-minute sunset cruise with a live English guide. See Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden’s Tower, and more while enjoying canapés, fruit, mint lemonade, tea, and coffee. Guides may include Aleyna, Betul, Nur, Erdem, or Noor.

“it was very nice, we had a boat tour before in Istanbul but this is much better those one of those big boats”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Snack - Kabataş departure and what to expect onboard
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Snack

5.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Snack

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,716 reviews · 2 hours · from $8Best value

Sail from Kabataş between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores, passing Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and Maiden’s Tower. You get an audio guide in six languages, with soft drinks and snacks available in the selected option. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, blankets in cool weather, and friendly onboard staff.

“So far the best activity in value for money. Totally recommended”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide - From Galata Bridge to Dolmabahçe Palace
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide

6.Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,694 reviews · from $8

Spend two hours sailing between Europe and Asia with Sea Land Travel Agency. See Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi palaces, Rumeli Hisarı, Ortaköy Mosque, Maiden’s Tower, and both Bosphorus bridges. Tarik and Daria are among the helpful staff named by guests. Turkish tea, Nescafé, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and audio commentary in 11 languages are included.

“A 2-hour boat trip in Turkey, and it was absolutely amazing! From start to finish, the experience was perfect. One of the highlights was the chance to admire Turkey from a unique perspective, with panoramic views that looked straight out of a postcard. Overall, this boat trip was the perfect way to explore Turkey in a short amount of time. If you’re looking for a relaxing yet exciting experience, I highly recommend it!”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side - Boarding near Dolmabahçe Mosque
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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

7.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,251 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard a comfortable yacht on the Bosphorus, with English commentary, snacks, tea, coffee, and a stop in Asian Istanbul. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, the two major bridges, and Maiden’s Tower. Pickup is offered from Taksim, Sultanahmet, Karakoy, and Sirkeci.

“It is a very worthwhile experience and is everything that it says on the booking details. The staff are very pleasant and friendly, speak good English the ship is clean and the snacks are good. All in all an excellent trip. I would thoroughly recommend it.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner Show - The night route, from Dolmabahçe to Maiden’s Tower
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner Show

8.Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,181 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

Cruise between Europe and Asia for three hours with dinner, Turkish and Latin dance shows, live DJ music, and views of Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, and the Bosphorus Bridge. Choose hotel pickup or meet at Kabataş. Alcoholic drinks are included only with selected options.

“very nice boat ride, seating arrangement were good, the food was average. performance was also good but I have seen better. The guide and servers were very friendly, asked for whatever we needed everytime. value for money. good ambience”

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Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best - Dolmabahçe and Ortaköy in the first light
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Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

9.Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,181 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Sail Istanbul’s Bosphorus aboard a 25-meter yacht as the city shifts from daylight to evening. An English-speaking guide points out palaces, fortresses, bridges, mosques, and waterfront neighborhoods. Tea, coffee, juice, lemonade, fruit, and canapés are included. Hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoğlu.

“Highly recommend this great tour. Smaller boat and smaller group makes it so much more enjoyable. Communications with the operator is first rate - especially if you book hotel transfer. Staff, guide and drivers are friendly, attentive and great. Learned a lot about the history of this magical city. Snacks and drinks are a very nice touch. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table - Dinner: generous courses, uneven main dishes
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table

10.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,021 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $30

Board the Mega Lüfer near Kabataş for a three-hour evening of Turkish food, Bosphorus views, folk dance, belly dance, flamenco, and DJ music. Choose a standard or upgraded package, with hotel pickup available from many central Istanbul districts. Expect a lively group setting, full table service, and views of Istanbul’s landmarks after dark.

“My family and I really enjoyed the Bosporus River Cruise. The service was great and the experience was lovely. I would definitely recommend it.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise w/ Drinks & Entertainment - Finding the AMOR yacht and getting aboard
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise w/ Drinks & Entertainment

11.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise w/ Drinks & Entertainment

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,852 reviews · 3 hours · from $35

Spend three hours cruising between Europe and Asia aboard the AMOR yacht. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi palaces, illuminated bridges, and both Bosphorus shores while eating Turkish food and watching folk dances, belly dancing, and DJ-led music. Hotel pickup is optional, and hosts such as Elvis, Happy, and Yavuz have earned praise for friendly service.

“I met my now husband on this dinner cruise. This was the activity that changed the course of my life forever.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise w/Audio Guide and Sunset Option - Finding the meeting point opposite Hagia Sophia
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise w/Audio Guide and Sunset Option

12.Bosphorus Cruise w/Audio Guide and Sunset Option

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 1,758 reviews · 2 hours · from $14

Meet the guide by the yellow umbrella opposite Hagia Sophia, walk about 10 minutes to the pier, then cruise the Golden Horn and Bosphorus. You’ll pass palaces, forts, mosques, bridges, and waterfront villages between Europe and Asia. Download the multilingual audio guide before boarding, and bring a jacket for the wind.

“Everything was great from the beginning to the very end we were super glad with the service.”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side - (Morning or Afternoon) - Cruising past Istanbul’s European shore
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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

13.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,657 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

This 2.5-hour morning or afternoon yacht cruise follows the Bosphorus between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores, with a 30-minute stop in Kanlıca for Turkish coffee, snacks, and local yogurt. Guides such as Nahed, Serdar, and Senol provide commentary, while hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoğlu.

“Perfect 2 hours sailing along the bosphorus with informative commentary and comfortable boat. Not crowded, nibbles provided. Even though the weather was cool extra blankets provided and I felt special seated at the back with leather chairs and large table, alone in section, felt like my personal boat.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option - Finding the TURYOL Port in Eminönü
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

14.Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,636 reviews · from $9

Sail from Eminönü TURYOL Port on a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise past Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. Choose the 4 PM or 5 PM departure for sunset light, use the QR-code audio guide in several languages, and return to the same port. Bring a charged phone and a light jacket.

“Great experience! It’s enough time to see the beauty and enjoy the cruise.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks - Meeting the yacht near the harbor
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

15.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,549 reviews · 2 hours - 125 minutes · from $15

Spend about two hours on a small yacht sailing between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. Guides such as Kadir, Yasin, Hasan, and Kadir share stories in English while you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, the bridges, and Maiden’s Tower. Tea, coffee, fruit, cookies, and savory snacks are included, with indoor and open-air seating.

“Very nice, cozy; with drinks and snack. We really recommend the tour”

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New in Bosphorus Cruises

★ 4.1Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour with Private TableFrom $4216 reviews
★ 4.9Istanbul Bosphorus Morning Cruise Guided TourFrom $2616 reviews
★ 4.0Bosphorus: Dinner Cruise with Live Performances ExperienceFrom $4456 reviews
★ 3.5Sailing Through Culture Bosphorus and Spice Bazaar TourFrom $4026 reviews
★ 4.2Bosphorus Cruise Morning or Sunset Boat TourFrom $1537 reviews
★ 4.6Bosphorus Strait and Black Sea Lunch CruiseFrom $17718 reviews
★ 4.9Bosphorus Tour With LunchFrom $14827 reviews
★ 4.2All Inclusive; Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise w/live showsFrom $8316 reviews
★ 3.5Morning Bosphorus Cruise and Spice BazaarFrom $9025 reviews
★ 3.7Bosphorus Cruise and Golden Horn Bus TourFrom $4748 reviews
★ 5.0Bosphorus Private Guided Yacht Cruise with Snacks25 reviews
★ 5.0Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury YachtFrom $24198 reviews
★ 4.5Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & LunchFrom $108225 reviews
★ 4.0Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing CruiseFrom $16237 reviews
★ 4.0Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show with DJFrom $48249 reviews

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