A Cruise on the Bosphorous

Información

Available in the afternoon, this is a great way to capture the ‘essence’ of this amazing city. The cruise of the Bosphorous will start at Kabatas pier and while cruising along the Asian and European shores, you will be surprised to see the harmony of Ottoman and modern architecture, as well as having an opportunity to see the major highlights of the city’s fairy tale-like skyline from the sea.

A poet once described the Bosphorous as “God’s beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires”. This strait, separating (and connecting) two continents that form the two faces of the city, takes its name from a mythological legend. Ever since those ancient times, it has marvelled people with its beauty.

Along the cruise, you will pass by the Rumeli Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror; Ortakoy, a very famous area for handicrafts and nightlife; Bebek, a popular wealthy residential district under the Ottoman rule, and continues to be so today; Besiktas, a commercial district of the new city; Dolmabahce, the magnificent 19th century palace, which was the home to the Ottoman Sultans in the last century of the Empire; Ciragan Palace, a magnificent marble palace built by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed and constructed by the Balyan family between 1863 and 1867; today it serves as luxury suites for the five star Kempinski hotel; Kizkulesi (Maiden’s Tower), an ancient lighthouse which has inspired many legends; Yali (wooden wealthy houses) constructed by the water’s edge of the Bosphorous and usually built with an architectural concept that takes into account the characteristics of the coastal location, mostly dating from the 19th century; Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the largest, lavishly furnished 19th century summer residences of the Ottoman Sultans.

A short visit to the Spice Market is the surprise of the tour. In this oriental shopping area, where you experience the vibrant pulse of Istanbul at its best, rare spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, live animals, flowers are sold. (Aphrodisiacs are available too!)

Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel pick-up.
Duration: 4 horas.
Start/opening time: At 12:45pm.
End/closing time: 4:45pm.
Languages: English.
Others: Please note that the Spice Market is closed on Sundays.