Cruise the Bosphorus and Explore Istanbul's Best Sights on our Full-Day Tour
Join us on a full-day adventure through Istanbul as we explore the city's famous Bosphorus Strait and its surrounding landmarks. Our tour begins with a pick-up from your hotel at 08:00 AM - 8:30 AM, where you will be transferred to the meeting point to join our group and tour guide.
Our first stop is at the Dolmabahce Palace, which served as the residence of six Ottoman sultans from 1856 to 1924. This majestic palace boasts a unique blend of Ottoman and European architectural styles, and it is a true representation of the opulence and grandeur of the Ottoman Empire.
Next, we'll visit the Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque, located on the shore of the Bosphorus in Dolmabahçe. Also known as the Dolmabahçe Mosque, this stunning structure is named after the mother of Sultan Abdulmecid I, who was responsible for its construction.
After our mosque visit, we'll take a break for lunch, where you can enjoy some delicious Turkish cuisine.
We'll then continue our tour with a visit to the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus that is considered to be the world's largest natural harbor. We'll also explore the magnificent city walls of Constantinople, which remained impregnable for centuries until they were breached only twice in 1600 years. The first breach occurred in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade.
Next, we'll cross the iconic Bosphorus Bridge, which links Europe and Asia and is one of the world's largest suspension bridges. This is a great opportunity to capture some stunning photos of the city's skyline and the Bosphorus Strait.
We'll then visit the Ebu Eyyup El Ensari Tomb, a sacred place where the Prophet Mohammed visited during his first visit to Medina. The tomb is located in Eyup, one of Istanbul's oldest and most historic neighborhoods.
Our next stop is the Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French novelist and naval officer Pierre Loti, who visited Istanbul several times and stayed here for many years. From the hill, we'll take a cable car ride and enjoy the stunning view of the city all the way down.
We'll then continue our tour with a visit to the Rumeli Fortress, the biggest fortification in Istanbul. This impressive structure was built in just four months in 1452 by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in preparation for his siege of Constantinople.
Finally, we'll take a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, where we'll see the place where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea. This is a perfect opportunity to capture some stunning photos of the city's skyline and the Bosphorus Strait from the water.
Our tour will end at around 05:30 PM, where we'll drop you back at your hotel.
Notes of Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Please note that the Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays, and the Harem is not included in the tour schedule.
In summary, the Bosphorus Cruise Tour Istanbul Full Day is a perfect way to experience the best that Istanbul has to offer in just one day. With an experienced tour guide, comfortable transportation, and visits to some of Istanbul's most famous landmarks, this tour is sure to be a memorable experience.