Sultanahmet Tour and Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

The old city by day, the Bosphorus at sunset

If you have only one full day in Istanbul, this is the day to book. In the morning and early afternoon a licensed guide takes you through Sultanahmet, the historic heart of the city, with its Byzantine and Ottoman monuments and a lunch break at a local restaurant. Then, just as your feet start to tire, you board a luxury yacht for a two-and-a-half-hour sunset cruise on the Bosphorus.

On the water you relax with a drink and canapés while the palaces, mosques and mansions of two continents pass by in the evening light, and the city skyline turns orange and rose. Hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees and lunch are all included. Want just the cruise? Join our Bosphorus sunset cruise.

Highlights of the day

• Topkapı PalaceThe palace of the sultans and its courtyards.
• Hagia Sophia and the Blue MosqueThe two great domes of Sultanahmet.
• The Hippodrome and Little Hagia SophiaByzantine Istanbul with your guide.
• The Grand BazaarTime to explore the covered market.
• Sunset on a luxury yacht2.5 hours on the Bosphorus with drinks and canapés.
• All arrangedHotel transfers, lunch and entrance tickets included.

Itinerary

1. 08:15 to 09:00 Hotel pickup
   Transfer to Sultanahmet.
2. 09:00 to 16:00 The old city
   The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Little Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar, with lunch at a local restaurant.
3. 16:00 Transfer to the yacht
   Our team takes you to the pier.
4. 16:30 to 19:00 Bosphorus sunset cruise
   Cruise past the palaces and bridges with a welcome drink, canapés and fruit as the sun goes down.
5. Hotel drop-off
   We drive you back to your hotel.

Cruise times follow the sunset, so they move earlier in winter and later in summer. We confirm the exact times for your date.

What is included in the tour and cruise

Good to know before you go

• Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays; on those days we replace them with another sight, such as the Basilica Cistern, the Archaeology Museums or the Spice Bazaar.
• Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are working mosques. Visits pause during prayer times, and women should cover their hair; men and women should cover shoulders and knees.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket for the evening on the water.
• Children up to 4 years join for free; children from 5 to 8 years get 30% off.

What our guests say about our cruises

Booking, payment and cancellation

1. BookingReserve here, on WhatsApp or by email. No prepayment.
2. ConfirmationWe confirm your seats and meeting time, usually within the hour.
3. On the dayPay in cash in euro, US dollar or Turkish lira.
4. 24+ hours beforeCancel or change your date free of charge.
5. Under 24 hoursLate cancellations and no-shows cannot be refunded.

If a cruise is cancelled because of bad weather or an official warning, you choose a new date or cancel at no cost. These terms are for guided tours and shared cruises; private yachts have their own private tour terms.

Tour and cruise FAQ