A Bosphorus cruise is a boat trip along the strait that divides Istanbul between Europe and Asia. From the water you see the city's great Ottoman palaces, fortresses, mosques and waterside mansions, many of them built to be admired from the sea, along with landmarks from the Roman and Byzantine eras.
There are several ways to do it, from a city ferry to a private yacht. This page explains what a Bosphorus cruise involves, the usual routes and durations, and what you will see. For a fuller picture of the strait itself, read our Istanbul Bosphorus guide.
Types of Bosphorus cruise
Public ferry
The cheapest option is a city ferry. You make your own way to the pier, buy a ticket at the counter and sail on a public boat. The short circle tour leaves from Eminonu, sails north towards the second bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge) and returns without stopping; a longer route continues to Anadolu Kavagi near the Black Sea. There is no guide, no food service and no hotel transfer, and boats can be very crowded in summer.
Organised shared cruise
You can also book a cruise online or through a travel agency. These trips usually include hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, and food and drinks, and some include stops ashore to visit sights. Typical formats are:
- a short Bosphorus cruise of about 2.5 hours;
- a sunset cruise in the early evening with snacks and soft drinks;
- a Bosphorus cruise with snacks and drinks lasting 4-5 hours;
- a dinner cruise with a Turkish night show of about 3.5 hours;
- a full-day cruise of up to 9 hours that goes to the Black Sea, with lunch on board.
The price depends mainly on the duration and what is included. See current options and prices on our shared Bosphorus cruises page.
Private yacht cruise
On a private cruise the yacht, captain and crew are for your group only. You choose the boarding pier, the route, the length of the trip and the food, which suits families, couples, celebrations and company groups. We explain the benefits in reasons to book a private Bosphorus cruise, and you can request a quote on the private Bosphorus yacht cruise page.
Bosphorus cruise routes and durations
Most cruises start in the south, near the old city, from piers such as Eminonu, Karakoy or Kabatas. From there the boat heads north under the Bosphorus Bridge, past Ortakoy and Bebek, and turns back somewhere between Rumeli Hisari and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. That loop takes around two hours on a short cruise.
Longer cruises continue past the second bridge to the northern villages of Sariyer and Anadolu Kavagi, where the strait opens into the Black Sea. A full-day trip leaves time for lunch and a walk ashore. A private yacht can follow either route or a mix of both, and can also add the Golden Horn or the Princes' Islands.
Not sure which suits you? Our comparison which Bosphorus cruise to take in Istanbul goes through the options one by one.
The Bosphorus Strait: key facts
The Bosphorus links the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea and is about 32 km long measured in a straight line. Its narrowest point is between Anadolu Hisari and Rumeli Hisari, and it reaches its greatest depth between Bebek and Kandilli. The first bridge to join Europe and Asia here, the Bosphorus Bridge, opened in 1973.
As the only sea route between the Black Sea and the open seas beyond the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean, the strait has had huge strategic and economic importance throughout history. Large cargo ships and tankers still pass through daily, sharing the water with ferries and fishing boats.
What you see on a Bosphorus cruise
On a typical cruise you pass these landmarks, roughly in this order from the south:
- Galata Tower and Topkapi Palace, on the skyline above the starting piers
- Dolmabahce Palace and Ciragan Palace in Besiktas
- The Savarona, Ataturk's historic yacht, when it is moored on the strait
- Ortakoy Mosque and the Bosphorus Bridge
- Rumeli Fortress, Anadolu Fortress and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
- Kuleli military school and Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian shore
- Maiden's Tower off Uskudar on the way back
Read more about the main sights in our individual guides:
For all the landmarks on one map, see our Bosphorus Strait map of top landmarks.
Things to do along the Bosphorus
A cruise is the best introduction, but many places along the way are worth a visit on land too:
- Golden Horn and Pierre Loti Hill: take the cable car from Eyup up to Pierre Loti Hill and have tea with a view over the Golden Horn.
- Galata Tower: the tower is run as a museum and its viewing balcony gives a panorama of the old city and the Bosphorus.
- Maiden's Tower: reopened in 2023 after restoration; small boats run across from the Uskudar side.
- Dolmabahce Palace: home of the last Ottoman sultans, with grand chandeliers and a quiet garden. Ataturk spent his last days here.
- Ortakoy: one of Istanbul's favourite districts, where a mosque, a church and a synagogue stand close together below the Bosphorus Bridge. It is busy with cafes, bars, weekend stalls and kumpir (stuffed baked potato) shops.
- Rumeli Fortress: the castle and its surroundings have parks and seafood restaurants by the water, and the walls are a classic spot for photos of the strait. You can walk uphill to Hisarustu afterwards.
- Beylerbeyi Palace: the Ottoman summer palace that hosted foreign state guests, with a cafe in the garden facing the water.
- Dinner cruise: an evening cruise of about 3.5 hours with Turkish food and a show with folk dances, whirling dervishes and belly dancers. See Bosphorus dinner cruises in Istanbul.
Tips for your Bosphorus cruise
- Bring a light jacket: even in summer it can be windy on the open deck.
- Late afternoon has the softest light for photos; a Bosphorus sunset cruise is timed for it.
- On a public ferry, arrive early to get a seat on the outside deck.
- If you are a group, compare the cost of a private yacht with individual tickets; it is often closer than people expect.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Bosphorus cruise?
It is a boat trip along the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, passing the palaces, fortresses, mosques and mansions on the European and Asian shores. It can be done on a public ferry, an organised shared cruise or a private yacht.
How long is a Bosphorus cruise?
A short cruise takes about two to 2.5 hours, a dinner cruise about 3.5 hours and a full-day Bosphorus and Black Sea cruise up to around nine hours. Private cruises are planned around your preferred length.
Where do Bosphorus cruises start?
Most start from piers near the old city and Beyoglu, such as Eminonu, Karakoy and Kabatas. Private yachts can also pick you up from piers further up the strait, such as Besiktas, Bebek or Beylerbeyi.
Is the public ferry a good way to cruise the Bosphorus?
It is the cheapest option and gives good views, but there is no guide, no food service and it can be crowded. Organised and private cruises add commentary, refreshments and hotel transfers or flexible piers.
Can you see both Europe and Asia on a Bosphorus cruise?
Yes. The boat sails between the two continents, with the European shore on one side and the Asian shore on the other, and most routes turn around so you see both up close.
See the Bosphorus on your own yacht
A private yacht cruise with captain and crew, only for your group: sunset, dinner or a full day on the strait. Book directly with a TURSAB-licensed Istanbul operator.
More from our Istanbul guide
- Guide to Bosphorus Cruises in Istanbul: Types, Piers and RoutesBosphorus and cruises
- 5 Reasons to Book a Private Bosphorus Cruise in IstanbulBosphorus and cruises
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise in Istanbul: All You Need to KnowBosphorus and cruises
- Which Bosphorus Cruise to Take in Istanbul? A Guide to the OptionsBosphorus and cruises