Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise to Black Sea from Istanbul with Lunch

Istanbul, Turkey

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Set sail on a leisurely afternoon cruise along Istanbul’s iconic Bosphorus Strait and into the Black Sea, offering spectacular views of historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Enjoy a delightful lunch featuring traditional Turkish meze, grilled chicken, and fresh fish. Cruise past significant sights such as Galata Tower and the Bosphorus Bridge before venturing into the Black Sea. Stop at the charming village of Anadolu Kavağı, where you can explore the medieval ruins of Yaros Castle, offering breathtaking views, or simply soak in the scenery before returning to Istanbul.

Enjoy a delicious lunch with Turkish meze, grilled chicken, or fish
Cruise from Rumeli Hisarı Fortress along the famous Bosphorus Strait
Look out for top Istanbul attractions including Galata Tower and the Bosphorus Bridge
Full-day guided cruise along the Bosphorus and into the Black Sea

What's Included

Lunch
Local guide

Gratuities
Alcoholic Beverages

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Meeting point

Galataport İstanbul
Kılıçali Paşa, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No: 8 İç Kapı No: 102, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
In front of Sultanahmet tram station

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.10:30 am

Itinerary

After meeting your guide at your hotel for a pickup in Istanbul, take a short ride to Rumeli Hisarı Fortress for your Bosphorus and Black Sea cruise. Learn about the history of this commanding castle that overlooks the slimmest section of the Bosphorus. Then, snag several selfies before you board your boat for a tasty lunch.

Sit down and indulge a meal consisting of a variety of delightful Turkish meze and grilled chicken. Then, grab a refreshing beverage and stroll out to the deck to soak up the sun and ambiance of Istanbul from the Bosphorus Strait. Gain insight into the many famous sights that line both the Asian and European coastlines. As you cruise, see Galata Tower and the immense Bosphorus Bridge that connect the Asian and European continents. During the cruise, snacks are available to munch on at the bar.

After your boat has traversed the Strait, enter the Black sea and voyage a short distance to the small coastal town of Poyrazköy. Here, your boat will dock and you can spend some free time unwinding with a swim or a short promenade around the verdant hills surrounding the area. Remember to bring sunscreen, good walking shoes, and a swim suit. In the event the weather is too cool for a swim, your boat will change routes slightly and stop at Anadolu Kavağı. Alongside your guide, admire remnants of this medieval fortress.

Hop back aboard your boat and return to Istanbul arriving in the late afternoon. Disembark at Kabataş port and meet your coach for a comfortable ride back to your hotel where your tour ends.

Rumeli Fortress (Pass By)

Kucuksu Pavilion (Pass By)

Dolmabahce Palace (Pass By)

Ciragan Palace Kempinski (Pass By)

KIz Kulesi (Pass By)

Beylerbeyi Palace (Pass By)

Bosphorus Strait (Pass By)

Bosphorus Bridge (Pass By)

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Pass By)

Anadolu Kavagi

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Yavuz Sultan Selim Koprusu

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Swimsuit and towels recommended
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Thomas_G

This was a great trip. It was only 15-20 people on the boat so it was nice size group. The staff was great, friendly and knowledgeable. It was one of the only trips that did the swimming in the Black Sea which was great. The lunch place was fun and beautiful. I would highly recommend.

Reviews

4.0

based on 190 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Great day spend on the Bospherous

yazmin_M, Sep 2025

The trip was great, the food was great and the staff were very nice. Some improvements can be made on service. Our guide seemed to be booked last minute, the scheduled pick up was confusing, but they did end up sending someone to meet us where we had originally picked when booking. Our guide was nice and personable. Trip was longer than expected. Overall nice trip.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Dear Yazmin, thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip, the food, and our staff’s hospitality. We also appreciate your valuable feedback regarding the pickup arrangement and guiding service. We will review these points carefully to improve our organization and ensure a smoother experience for our future guests. It’s wonderful to know that overall you had a nice trip, and we would be happy to welcome you again on your next visit.

This was a great trip. It...

Thomas_G, Sep 2025

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much! We're glad you had a great time. Hope to see you again soon!

Bathing in the Bosphorus

Angela_A, Jul 2025

The 5 hour trip is wonderful especially in a small vessel with just a few people and the stopover in the Black Sea.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the 5-hour trip, the intimate atmosphere on the small vessel, and especially the Black Sea stopover. If there’s anything we could’ve done to turn your 4-star experience into a perfect 5-star one, we’d love to hear your thoughts — your feedback helps us improve every day! But if everything met your expectations and you had a memorable time, would you consider updating your rating to 5 stars? It would mean a lot to our small team and help more travelers discover this unique experience.

wasted day

James_R, Apr 2025

They cancelled the cruise probably because they didn't have enough passengers. But they didn't tell me it was cancelled. They said it was cancelled because of rain but there was no rain. I wasted the whole day.

Don’t you ever book IBO tour.

YUKIHIRO_H, Jan 2025

I booked a tour with IBO cruise and tours. The title of the tour is “Guided Bosphorous & Black Sea Cruise with Stopover Asia and Lunch” The tour was supposed to start at 13:30 2 Jan 2025. I went to the designated meeting point, which was in front of the IBO office. It turned out there was no such office there but a street vending style desk with a man. I asked him about my tour and he said that particular tour was only for summer season and it was not operational now. (If this is true, they advertise a non-existing tour.) When I insisted, he changed his story and the tour started at 10:30 and I missed the tour and it was my fault! He kept telling stories and lies! In the end, this vendor guy told me I should call Viator myself, and then he gave me the phone number of the boss of IBO. I was supposed to complain to him directly! How am I supposed to trust a tour company like this? Furthermore if Viator keep using this kind of tour company, it would only damage the trust and good reputation of Viator. I hate to say this but I hesitate to purchase Vistor service again and advise others to do the same as well, if this is the norm instead of an exception.

Stranded

VINOD_P, Nov 2024

I made a booking for my wife and I. It was supposed to be a memorable tour and experience. After the tour company canceling on us the night before I was lucky enough to rebook at last minute. Meeting point was clear. We took no chances and got there 1 hour early. I even confirmed with other tour companies that I was at the right place. We waited and waited and waited and no one showed up for us. Other tourists were sorted out and greeted by there respective companies but IBO was absent. It was time to go back to the hotel dissatisfied and disappointed.

Great day sailing between Europe and Asia

Vic_C, Nov 2024

The sites along the strait are impressive and Tour Guide Sadat knew and shared tremendous amount of information and details. He also did everything he could to make journey enjoyable

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your review and best rate :)

A lovely chill day out on the river

Richard_P, Oct 2024

This was a fantastic tour and worth every penny. We were picked up from and returned to our hotel, which was a huge plus for us. The boat was comfortable, with great views all round, the guide knew his stuff and pointed out buildings along the way and added in interesting facts. We were treated to nibbles and fresh fruit and a bar was available. Lunch on the Asia side was perfect and a stop on the way back for those who wanted to go for a quick dip was fun. Thoroughly recommend this tour - a perfect day out in Istanbul.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you so much and love from Istanbul :)

Enjoyable

Jasmine_C, Oct 2024

Clean vessel, felt same and staff are amazing. Loved every minute. Food is good, not crowded. On schedule

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you so much for your best rate

Poor communication

Nancy_T, Oct 2024

The tour company did not notify us they had changed the pickup time until the day before, by email. We had planned other activities for the morning. 2 people then could not make it and we lost money on this trip.

Bosphorus Lunch Cruise

KERRY_F, Sep 2024

A very enjoyable experience with perfect weather. The food was good and staff were great. Guests were able to swim off the back of the boat.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you very much :)

sunny warm good food on the Bosphoras

NICHOLAS_S, Sep 2024

a part from emailing me in england to say be ready an hour earlier than stated on the booking form which meant 3 male;s were still having a turkish bath and we held the tour up by said 1 hour a very enjoyable time was had on the boat ,than a suprise swim again not mentioned in the itinerary but we went in all the same ,great lunch

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you

Excellent

KALIPADA_H, Sep 2024

It was really amazing and well organised excellent tour. Particularly arrangements of swimming in the Bosphorus.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you :)

First class service

sunil_b, Aug 2024

Just taking in the skyline of mosques and churches is unique on both sides of the Sea of Marmara. The guide explained through the history of these monuments, the fabulous history of the city going back to Byzantine days, through the reigns of the Christian kings, followed by the Ottoman emperors. I will highlight a special note for a guide called Berra. She wasn’t the ship guide, but she welcomed us on arrival. She then arranged for us to get private transport as soon as the ship arrived at 6 p.m. to attend a show of the Whirling Dervishes which we had already booked. She went more than the extra mile! She was so professional, yet never lost her charm and excellent disposition, despite the obvious pressures of the job. I would strongly recommend her.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words and the best rate. :)

A lovely half day tour

Stoyan_O, Aug 2024

The staff at all levels took a good care of us! Plenty of drinks, enough food! Would definitely recommend!

Response from Host, Aug 2024

:) It is a lovely review and a lovely rate thank you.

Lovely

IRFAN_H, Jul 2024

All over the trip was excellent, nice experience, delicious foods, very helpful staff members, very friendly service, also very good captain as we had very comfortable journey,

Response from Host, Jul 2024

:) thank you so much

No experience because cancelled by tour operator

Shayda_A, Jul 2024

Your agent cancelled so we didn’t experience the booked tour. Kindly refund if you have charged Thank you

Look elsewhere for a tour

Denis_B, Jul 2024

The tour passengers were left sitting on a hot bus for 30+ minutes, while the guide waited for a passenger that never showed up. The tour narrator’s English was very poor and the sound system was also bad so tour narration could not be understood. Lunch was cold and unappealing

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Your feedback considers operational challenges; Istanbul is a bustling city with consistently heavy traffic. We will address the sound system issue, and it's worth noting that Turkish mezes are traditionally served cold.

Beautiful view

Holly_Z, Jul 2024

Beautiful and memorable cruise trip. Nice fruit tray. If sunset can be included and the tour guide has better English explanations, that will be great.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you and we will do our best to improve our service.

Beautiful trip

MatthiasLeder, Jul 2024

Kind people like Tüdgüt. Beautiful trip. Good service. Good food. The start could have been more professional. We had to wait at the shipping station quiet a bit.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you :)

Nice sailing through the Bosphorus

George_B, Jun 2024

Sailing through the Bosphorus was a wonderful experience. The price included a delightful lunch and fresh fruit for dessert. Our guide, Erdem, was very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. It was definitely worth it!

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you for your best rate

Boring

Parya_E, Jun 2024

Quite boring and couldn’t make out anything the guide was saying. Lunch was ok, nice fruits for dessert.

Great value trip with good food and guide

Andrew_O, Jun 2024

Great trip , very well organised, and all pick-ups well notified and on schedule throughout the trip. The boat was well laid out with plenty of space,with relatively few people on board. Food drink and snacks were great and supplied all the way on the trip. The guide was very knowledgeable and supplied great information along the way in a clear English speaker system. All in a great trip for the price paid, from start to finish took 6 hours

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Great :)

Excellent experience

Jean_L, Jun 2024

we enjoyed our boat tour very much, and the weather was perfect. Too bad the water is a bit too cold in June for me to swim.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you :)

Outstanding experience.

Marco_P, Jun 2024

The voyage was seamless. Bus was in time, boat left on time. Lunch was good. The view was spectacular. Warm and beautiful day, Duha coordinated everything perfectly, what more could we ask for..!!

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you :)

Trip on Bosphorus down close to Black Sea but not quite!

Manuel_P, Jun 2024

PA system made it almost impossible to understand the narration of the tour and important sites. We were a party of four and were forced to sit all apart (everyone alone with others) because they booked it so tight. We never got to the Black Sea but got close. Lunch was ok. The swimming time was adequate. Dis not see much fishing in the "fishing village". Overall somewhat relaxing but bland trip. Bus pick up and drop off was efficient

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry about the issue with pa system. Technical issues may happen unusually and it fixed on the same day

Good trip

Ahmed_Z, May 2024

The cruise met my expectations. The food and drinks are good in terms of quality and quantity. The overall experience is great.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thank you :)

More time cruising would be nice.

HYEMYOUNG_K, May 2024

Pickup & drop-off service was nice and convenient but too m7ch time was spent for that resulting in less time for cruising.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thanks for your kind sentences which made us happy and informed .For other destinations we are going to solve that issue with our staff, in this way our next guests will have more break time in attraction centers. If there is a chance to change your review to 5 stars we would be very appreciated.

Desapointing

Hubert_B, May 2024

Our tour guide was below average, he didn't take care of the group and his explanations were hard to understand due to the bad quality of the loud speakers. The food and the stop at Anadalou Kavagi were the better parts of the trip. Unfortunatly the stop lasted not even 30 minutes, too short. It would be nicer to have a trip without lunch but stop longer at Anadalou Kavagi so people can eat in one of the nice restaurants of the village.

Response from Host, May 2024

We have renovated our mıcrophone systems, we will evaluate the suggestions that you gave us. would it be possible to change your review to 5 starts then we would be very appreciated and it would be motivational incentive to upgrade us better by better. Thanks for your review and tryıng to be helpful for us :)

Unrekiable

Shelley_T, May 2024

We were not picked up at our hotel. Started our tour late by almost 90 minutes. Guide was very quiet. Food was good and the server was attentive.

Response from Host, May 2024

It seems like your tour got off to a rough start with the late pick-up and a quiet guide, but it's great that the food was good and the server provided attentive service. Hopefully, despite the initial hiccups, you were still able to enjoy the rest of the tour.

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