Bosphorus Strait Cruise
Boğaziçi
A cruise through the strait from Europe to Asia, passing Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge and Rumeli Fortress. A public ferry lets you experience it for just a few dozen lira.
The Bosphorus Strait is about 30 km long. It connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and divides Istanbul into European and Asian sides. Ottoman palaces, wooden waterfront mansions (yalı), fortresses and mosques line both banks, so a boat cruise is the classic way to get to know the city. There are three options. First, the municipal ferry service Şehir Hatları runs a long Bosphorus tour from Eminönü pier, passing Beşiktaş, Kanlıca and Sarıyer all the way to Anadolu Kavağı at the Black Sea mouth. The trip takes about 1.5 hours one way. At the end of the line you can eat fish, visit Yoros Castle and then return. The full round trip takes about 6 hours, and tickets cost only about 100 to 150 lira. Departures are daily at 10:35 a.m., and there are also shorter tours of about 2 hours in the afternoon. Second, private operators (Turyol, Dentur) run 1.5- to 2-hour short tours from Eminönü or Kabataş, with frequent departures for about 150 to 300 lira. Third, sunset or dinner cruises, which include dinner and a show. The classic highlights, in order, are: Dolmabahçe Palace, a 19th-century European-style Ottoman palace that can be visited separately and is closed on Mondays; Ortaköy Mosque, framed together with the Bosphorus Bridge; Beylerbeyi Palace; Rumeli Fortress and the second bridge; and Maiden's Tower, which can be visited since its restoration in 2023. A budget alternative is the public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy or Üsküdar. It takes about 20 minutes, can be paid for with an Istanbulkart, and still lets you experience crossing between continents and the seagulls. Note: the deck is windy, so bring a jacket. The mackerel sandwich boats near Eminönü pier are a classic snack. In peak summer, buy tickets for the long-tour ferry in advance at the pier.
Opening hours
Municipal long-route cruise departs 10:35; private short-route boats run several departures 10:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Dolmabahçe Palace
- Maiden's Tower
- Istanbul Modern
- İstiklal Avenue & Taksim Square
- Galataport
- Ortaköy Mosque
- Pera Museum
- Galata Tower