Bosphorus Sunset Cruise in Istanbul | Private Yacht Tours
🎁 Spring Special: 10% Discount on All Purchases! Code: SPRING10
Istanbul Lunch Cruise & Two Continents Tour
Duration
8 Hours
Max People
50 People
Availability
All Year
Pick-up & Drop-Off
Include
Two continents in a day, with lunch on the water
This is a full day — about eight hours — combining a land tour of both sides of Istanbul with a Bosphorus lunch cruise in the middle. It solves a real problem travellers have: you want to stand on the Asian side, see the palaces, eat properly, and be back by evening, without hiring a private driver or stitching together separate tours.
Morning is on the European side. A guide meets your hotel (central districts covered), and you visit the Spice Market, the Süleymaniye Mosque viewpoint, and cross over the Galata Bridge. You board the boat around midday at Eminönü. Lunch is served during the sail — Turkish mezze spread, grilled main, salad, dessert — and the guide continues narrating what you’re passing.
The boat drops off on the Asian side at Üsküdar, where a minibus picks you up for the afternoon: Çamlıca Hill for the panoramic view of both continents at once, Beylerbeyi Palace from the outside, and a short walk through the Kuzguncuk neighbourhood — one of the oldest residential streets in Istanbul. Return to hotels by early evening.
Who this is for: travellers on tight schedules who want both continents covered, anyone curious about the less-touristed Asian side, repeat visitors who’ve done the main sites already. If you want just the cruise without the land portion, see the lunch cruise (€45). If you want only the Old City land tour, see the full day city tour.
Practical: comfortable walking shoes — roughly 3–4 km on foot total. Mosque visits require shoulders and knees covered; headscarves provided at entry for women. Hotel pickup/drop-off included within central Istanbul districts.
Included/Excluded
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off services from centrally located hotels (European side of Istanbul)
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- Bosphorus Lunch Cruise
- Mentioned museum entrance tickets
- Guiding service
- Bosphorus Boat Tickets
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
Tour Plan
City Walls of Constantinople
See the legendary defensive walls that protected the Byzantine capital for centuries and witnessed the historic conquest of 1453.
Golden Horn
Enjoy views over Istanbul’s historic peninsula and the natural harbor that played a vital role in the city’s maritime history.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
Explore one of Istanbul’s most colorful markets, famous for spices, Turkish delights, and local delicacies.
Bosphorus Lunch Cruise
Cruise between Europe and Asia while viewing iconic landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy, Yildiz Palace gardens, and Rumeli Fortress.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Visit the elegant Ottoman summer residence on the Asian side, known for its refined architecture and original furnishings.
Camlica Hill
Take in panoramic views from the highest point in Istanbul overlooking the Bosphorus.
Bedesten Shopping Stop
Discover traditional Turkish handicrafts including silk weaving, carpets, jewelry, and leather goods.
Full-day combined tour: morning walking tour of the European side (Spice Market, Süleymaniye viewpoint), Bosphorus lunch cruise at midday, afternoon on the Asian side (Çamlıca Hill panorama, Beylerbeyi, Kuzguncuk). From €116 per person — licensed guide, hotel pickup, lunch and transport included.
Sort reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour combines a Bosphorus lunch cruise with visits to landmarks on both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. You literally travel between two continents in one day.
Lunch is served on board the cruise boat as an open buffet. You dine while sailing past Istanbul best landmarks.
The full tour takes approximately 6 hours including the cruise and land visits.
Yes. After the Bosphorus cruise we stop at Anadolu Kavagi on the Asian side where you can explore a charming fishing village and hilltop castle ruins.
Yes, pickup and drop-off from central Istanbul hotels is included.
You May Like
Istanbul Prince’s Island Tour
Dolmabahce Palace Tour
Carolyn Simmons (verified owner) –
What a fantastic way to end our trip! This tour was the perfect finale. The Bosphorus cruise was breathtaking, and our guide was so informative about all the palaces. Beylerbeyi Palace is a beautiful hidden gem. Highly, highly recommend.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Carolyn! What a wonderful way to end your trip. We are thrilled the Bosphorus cruise was breathtaking and the informative guide made it a perfect finale!
Alexander Bailey (verified owner) –
An excellent, well-paced tour. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The Bosphorus cruise offers spectacular views of the city. The visit to the Spice Bazaar was a feast for the senses. A great introduction to Istanbul.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Alexander! Knowledgeable, friendly guide plus spectacular Bosphorus views — that’s the recipe for a great day. Glad the Spice Bazaar rounded it out nicely!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Lily Robinson (verified owner) –
Absolutely brilliant. The highlight was cruising the Bosphorus, seeing Dolmabahce and Ciragan palaces from the water. The stop at the Spice Bazaar was great for picking up some Turkish delight. Our guide made the history so interesting.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Lily! Dolmabahce and Ciragan palaces from the water are breathtaking sights. Combined with the Spice Bazaar, it’s a brilliant day out — so glad you thought so too!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Benjamin Cohen (verified owner) –
An unforgettable journey through history. Starting at the Theodosian Walls was powerful. The Bosphorus cruise was smooth and offered postcard-perfect views. The stop at the silk weaving place was interesting. A fantastic way to spend eight hours in this incredible city.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Benjamin! Starting at the Theodosian Walls and then cruising the Bosphorus — that’s a powerful historical journey. Glad the postcard-perfect views delivered!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Chris James (verified owner) –
A fantastic tour from start to finish. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate. The Bosphorus cruise offers unparalleled views of Istanbul. Crossing to Asia and seeing Camlica Hill was the perfect way to see the city from above. Highly recommended.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Chris! A knowledgeable and passionate guide with unparalleled Bosphorus views — that’s the heart of this tour. Crossing continents makes it truly unique!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Patrick Stewart (verified owner) –
An outstanding tour. The guide’s knowledge of Byzantine and Ottoman history was impressive. The Bosphorus cruise offers a perspective you can’t get anywhere else. Crossing to Asia and seeing Beylerbeyi Palace was a privilege. 5 stars.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Patrick! Our guides take pride in their Byzantine and Ottoman knowledge, and the Bosphorus offers that perspective you truly can’t get anywhere else. Glad it all impressed you!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Chloe Martin (verified owner) –
I loved every moment of this tour. The Bosphorus cruise offers a unique perspective of the city’s skyline. The Spice Bazaar was a sensory overload in the best way possible. Our guide was fantastic and the views from Camlica Hill were simply stunning. A perfect introduction to Istanbul.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Chloe! The Bosphorus skyline from the water and the Spice Bazaar’s sensory overload — what a combination! So happy you loved every moment!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Elizabeth Perez (verified owner) –
Maravilloso tour! El paseo en barco por el Bósforo es inolvidable. Ver los palacios desde el agua es como estar en un cuento. El guía era muy profesional y amable. La visita a la colina de Camlica ofrece una vista panorámica impresionante.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Muchas gracias, Elizabeth! Ver los palacios desde el agua es realmente como estar en un cuento. Nos alegra que el guia fuera muy profesional y el paseo inolvidable!
Helen Stewart (verified owner) –
What an incredible day! The tour was so well organized. The history at the City Walls was fascinating, and the Bosphorus cruise was simply stunning. The views from Camlica Hill are the perfect ending. Our guide was a star.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Helen! The fascinating City Walls history and the simply stunning Bosphorus cruise make for an incredible day. We are glad the organization was seamless!
James Wilson (verified owner) –
This was the highlight of my trip to Turkey. Standing on the Asian side looking back at Europe was a surreal feeling. The cruise is fantastic, especially passing by the Dolmabahce Palace. The guide was a legend, full of stories and jokes. Don’t miss this tour!
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, James! Standing on the Asian side looking back at Europe — that surreal continent-to-continent moment is what makes this tour unique. So glad it was the highlight of your trip!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team