Guests must be ready at the Meeting Point (in front of the Cibali Tram Station) at 09:00 AM sharp. Please arrive at least 10 minutes earlier to ensure a smooth departure for your Princes island tour.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise in Istanbul | Private Yacht Tours
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Istanbul Prince's Island Tour
12 photos
Duration
8 Hours
Max People
50 People
Availability
All Year
Pick-up & Drop-Off
Exclude
Audio guide
On-demand, anytime
Written guide
Historical context
12 languages
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Audio Guide
by BOSPHORUS SUNSET
While your guide narrates in English on board, follow every landmark in your own language. Pause, rewind, or revisit the Bosphorus anytime — even after the tour.
🇹🇷 Türkçe
🇬🇧 English
🇩🇪 Deutsch
🇷🇺 Русский
🇫🇷 Français
🇮🇹 Italiano
🇯🇵 日本語
🇨🇳 中文
🇪🇸 Español
🇸🇦 العربية
🇵🇹 Português
🇰🇷 한국어
A day on the Princes Islands, by ferry
This is the budget version of the Princes Islands: the public ferry from Kabataş, plus a guide for the day on Büyükada — the largest and most-visited island. Total cost is €60 per person because it uses the normal ferry system rather than a private yacht. The ferry itself is part of the experience — 90 minutes each way through the Sea of Marmara with coastal views you’d never see from the Bosphorus.
The itinerary: 9 AM meet at Kabataş ferry terminal, take the public fast ferry to Büyükada. On the island you’ll have a walking and horse-and-carriage tour covering the main landmarks — the late-19th century wooden mansions on the uphill streets, the neoclassical Splendid Hotel, the Greek Orthodox monastery at the top of the highest hill (optional additional climb), and the small harbour with its fish restaurants. Lunch is on you — most people eat at a harbour restaurant (budget about €15–25 per person).
The return ferry leaves mid-afternoon; you’re back in central Istanbul by 5 or 6 PM.
Note: Büyükada banned horse-and-carriages in 2020 for animal welfare reasons. Replacement electric vehicles now serve the island — your tour uses those. Bicycles are also available to rent at the harbour if you prefer.
Who this is for: solo travellers and couples on a budget, anyone who wants the Princes Islands experience without committing to €800 for a private yacht. For the private swimming version, see the yacht swimming tour. For private yacht to the islands without swimming, see the Princes Island yacht tour.
Practical: comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone streets, some hills). The ferry runs year-round but the island is busiest July–August. For a quieter visit, book May, June, or September.
Included/Excluded
- Lunch
- Guiding service
- Bosphorus Boat Tickets
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
Tour Plan
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Prince's Island Tour – Itinerary
Meeting Point
Guests gather at the designated meeting point in central Istanbul.
Ferry Ride to the Princes’ Islands
Scenic cruise across the Sea of Marmara with city views.
Arrival in Büyükada
Introduction to the island and its peaceful atmosphere.
Island Exploration
See Ottoman mansions, traditional wooden houses, and pine forests.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Enjoy Turkish cuisine with beautiful sea views.
Free Time on the Island
Relax, take photos, or explore the coastline.
Return Ferry to Istanbul
Afternoon boat ride back to the city.
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Meeting Point (In front of the Cibali Tram Station)
Day tour of the Princes Islands from Istanbul by public ferry. 9 AM meeting at Kabataş, 90-minute ferry to Büyükada, walking and electric-vehicle tour of the main sites, free time for lunch at the harbour. Return by 5–6 PM. From €60 per person — licensed guide, ferry tickets, island tour included.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We take the public ferry from Kabatas pier together as a group. The ferry ride takes about 1 hour and is a scenic experience itself.
We visit Buyukada, the largest and most popular Princes Island. It has the best infrastructure for visitors with restaurants, historic mansions, and beautiful walking paths.
No. Motor vehicles are banned on the islands. Transportation is by eco-friendly electric vehicles and bicycles, which keeps the atmosphere peaceful and quiet.
Yes, lunch at a seaside restaurant on Buyukada is included. Fresh fish and traditional Turkish dishes with sea views.
Yes, the ferry operates year-round. Winter visits are quieter and have a unique charm, though some island restaurants may be closed.
€60,00
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Catherine Long (verified owner) –
Che magnifica giornata! L’isola è un sogno. Le case ottomane, i profumi dei pini, il suono del mare… Un’esperienza rigenerante. Il pranzo era squisito.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Grazie, Catherine! Le case ottomane, i profumi dei pini e il suono del mare — la sua descrizione cattura perfettamente la magia dell’isola. Contenti che il pranzo fosse squisito!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Sinead Connolly (verified owner) –
Lovely and relaxing. The island is beautiful. I’m giving 4 stars because we had a bit of confusion about the return ferry time, but the guide sorted it out quickly. Overall, a very nice experience.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Sinead! We’re glad the guide sorted out the return ferry confusion quickly. The island’s beauty is always worth it, and we’ll work on clearer timing communication!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Claudia Moretti (verified owner) –
Bella gita, l’isola è davvero affascinante. Ci siamo rilassati moltissimo. 4 stelle perché il pranzo incluso era buono ma non eccezionale, e la porzione era un po’ piccola. Per il resto, tutto perfetto.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Grazie per il feedback, Claudia! L’isola è davvero affascinante e rilassante. Prendiamo nota sul pranzo e sulle porzioni — speriamo di migliorare e di rivedervi!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Michelle Price (verified owner) –
A great day trip. Very relaxing. The island is beautiful. My only small complaint is that the free time felt a tiny bit short, but we still saw a lot.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you for the feedback, Michelle! We understand wanting more free time on the island. We try to balance guided content and exploration time. Glad you still saw a lot!
Noah Schmidt (verified owner) –
Exactly what we needed. A slow, relaxing day away from the noise. The electric vehicle tour was a great way to see the island. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the mansions.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Noah! A slow, relaxing day away from the noise is exactly what the Princes’ Islands deliver. Glad the electric vehicle tour and knowledgeable guide made it even better!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Victoria Carter (verified owner) –
A lovely day out. The island is charming. The reason for 4 stars is that I wish the included lunch had one more option for vegetarians, but what we had was tasty.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you for the honest feedback, Victoria! We appreciate your suggestion about more vegetarian options for the included lunch and will take it into consideration. Glad you found the island charming!
Karen Foster (verified owner) –
Lovely and peaceful. The island is a great place to unwind. Giving 4 stars only because the meeting point instructions could have been a bit clearer, but we found it in the end.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you for the honest feedback, Karen! We will work on making meeting point instructions clearer. Glad you found the island lovely and peaceful despite that!
Sophie Jones (verified owner) –
Bellissima esperienza! L’isola è un piccolo paradiso. Abbiamo noleggiato una bicicletta e girato tutta l’isola. Il pranzo a base di pesce era eccezionale.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Grazie, Sophie! Noleggiare una bicicletta e girare tutta l’isola è il modo migliore per scoprire questo piccolo paradiso. Contenti che il pranzo a base di pesce fosse eccezionale!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Lucy Mitchell (verified owner) –
Such a relaxing day. The pace of life on the island is so slow and nice. We loved just sitting at a cafe and watching the world go by. The tour organization was perfect.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Lucy! The slow pace of life on the island is one of its greatest charms. Sitting at a cafe and watching the world go by is the perfect way to enjoy it. We are glad the organization was smooth!
Patrick Fitzgerald (verified owner) –
An excellent escape from the city. The Princes’ Islands are a must-see. The ferry ride gives you a different perspective of Istanbul. The island is charming, peaceful, and full of history. Our guide was fantastic.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Patrick! The ferry’s different perspective of Istanbul plus the charming car-free island — it’s a must-see combination. So glad you found it excellent!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team