Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour
Overview
Explore both sides of Istanbul on a full-day Bosphorus cruise and two continents tour, with morning pickup from your city-centre hotel or the Istanbul cruise port between 8:15 and 8:45 am and drop-off around 5:00 pm. The day starts with the scents of the Spice Bazaar, then continues by air-conditioned coach across the Bosphorus Bridge to the Asian side.
From Camlica Hill, the highest point in the city, you get a wide view over the rooftops and the strait. Later, a Bosphorus cruise passes waterfront landmarks including Dolmabahçe Palace and Rumeli Fortress, both admired from the boat. Lunch, entrance fees and an English-speaking guide are included, and the regular group tour also stops at a shopping venue.
Highlights
- Spend a full day exploring Europe and Asia
- Browse spices and herbs at the Spice Bazaar
- Cross the Bosphorus Bridge by air-conditioned coach
- Enjoy panoramic city views from Camlica Hill
- Cruise past Dolmabahçe Palace and Rumeli Fortress
- Includes lunch, entrance fees and English-speaking guide
Itinerary
Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents Tour: Dolmabahçe Palace Experience
You will be picked up in the morning from your hotel or cruise port between 8:15 – 8:45 am for the Full Day Istanbul Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour.
On the tour you will be able to see the following sites:
- Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice.
- The Bosphorus Bridge: Built in 1974 and rising over 197 feet (60 m) above sea level, this bridge connects the European and the Asian sections of Istanbul.
- Camlica Hill: This panoramic overlook, the highest point in Istanbul, offers views of the city.
- Dolmabahçe Palace: Admire this magnificent Ottoman palace from the Bosphorus during the cruise. The palace is viewed from the boat; entrance is not included.
- Bosphorus Cruise: Described as “God’s beautiful calligraphy written by an ink made of sapphires,” the Bosphorus strait separates and connects the two continents that form the 2 faces of the city.
- Rumeli Fortress: Viewed from the sea (no interior visit). Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 before the Conquest of Istanbul, it was completed in only four months to control and protect the Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel or cruise port around 5:00 pm.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop off (on the European side of Istanbul only) & Istanbul cruise port.
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- English-speaking guide during the tour
- Lunch
- Entrance fees
- Local taxes and service charges
What's not included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Good to know
- A moderate amount of walking is involved.
- During religious holidays, the spice market (Egyptian Bazaar) is closed.
- This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
- The regular group tour has a shopping stop included in the tour.
- Pick-up and drop-off service is only provided from city center hotels including the Old City and Taksim and Beyoglu hotels. Pick up service from outside the city center will be at an additional cost that we will communicate once you give us your exact pick-up location
Frequently asked questions
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, you must notify All Istanbul Tours at least 5 days before the tour starts. For a cancellation or date-change request received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from the paid balance. For a cancellation or date-change request received less than 5 days before the tour starts, the full amount paid is non-refundable. If a traveler does not appear for the booked service, the reservation is treated as a no-show and the full amount paid is non-refundable.
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This was a great tour. Very Informative. I would recommend it to anyone going to istanbul. Everything was on time and professional.