Bosphorus Explorer: 2-Hour Cruise Throughout the Day
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Istanbul, Turkey
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy stunning views of historic Istanbul from the water during this 2-hour boat tour down the Bosphorus. Cover many of the city’s top attractions from the scenic strait, passing highlights like Galata Tower, Dolmabahce and Topkapi palaces, and Rumeli Fortress. You’ll also head to Asia and back, with a stop on Istanbul’s Anatolian side and free time to explore on your own.
- Check off Istanbul's top attractions on a scenic 2-hour Bosphorus cruise
- Listen to enriching commentary as you travel through the historic capital
- Travel from Europe to Asia and back with free time on the Asian side
- Choose from departures throughout the day for added flexibility
What's Included
- WiFi on board
- Restroom on board
- All Fees and Taxes
- Easily accessible by public transportation,
- Soda/PopBeverages are not included
- Hotel Pickup and Drop off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Sarıdemir, Ragıp Gümüşpala Cd. No:36, 34134 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Please note that meeting points and times may vary by up to 1 km and 30 min due to dock availability. Guests should arrive at the specified address 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Our boat is named IBRAHIM NARAL. Note: In the event of extraordinary circumstances the assigned boat may change.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Galata Tower (Pass By)
Galata Koprusu (Pass By)
Istanbul Resim Ve Heykel Muzesi, Mimar Sinan Guzel Sanatlar Universitesi (Pass By)
Dolmabahce Mosque (Pass By)
Dolmabahce Palace (Pass By)
Ortakoy (Pass By)
Bosphorus Bridge (Pass By)
Bosphorus Strait (Pass By)
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Pass By)
Rumeli Fortress (Pass By)
Anadolu Hisari Fort (Pass By)
Hidiv Kasri (Pass By)
Kucuksu Pavilion (Pass By)
KIz Kulesi (Pass By)
TopkapI Palace (Pass By)
Yeni Camii (Pass By)
Suleymaniye Mosque (Pass By)
Askeri Muze ve Kultur Sitesi KomutanlIgI (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- There is stairs to get on the boat, not recommended for the people who can't step
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Jordy_K
This cruise was the highlight of our trip! From the moment we stepped onto the boat, everything was well organized and beautifully arranged. The views along the Bosphorus were absolutely breathtaking—passing stunning landmarks, palaces, and bridges as the sun set was magical.
The stop on the Asian side added a unique cultural touch, allowing us to experience a different part of Istanbul that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure we felt comfortable the entire time.
It was relaxing, scenic, and informative all in one. Highly recommended for couples or anyone looking to see Istanbul from a new perspective!
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,271 reviews
Isabella_T, Jun 2026
Enjoyable and affordable 2 hour long boat trip on the Boshphorus with views of Europe and Asia sides. Tour guide did a great job explaining the sites and history
Dan_D, Jun 2026
Very interesting experience. This trip takes you through one of the world’s special geographical area.
Ali_N, Jun 2026
it was nothing short of spectacular. Sailing along the iconic waters of Istanbul offered breathtaking, panoramic views of the city's historic skyline, stunning palaces, and beautiful bridges. Seeing these landmarks from the comfort of the ship provided a unique and unforgettable perspective of where East meets West. The scheduling was seamless, the atmosphere was relaxing, and the overall experience was incredibly satisfying.
Iam_L, Jun 2026
We like it , it’s not crowded doesn’t make you scared that it’s going to sink because of too much people. Customer can breath and relax.
Rachel_N, May 2026
Excellent tour, well run, and the two guides made the tour engaging as they explained the sights really well. Would highly recommend.
Luigi_P, May 2026
Charming time spent on the breeze of the Bosphoros River. Good commentary, comfortable boat. Nice morning tea on Asian side
Susanne_H, May 2026
Great way to see many sides of Istanbul The tour guide was amazing and provided very informative historical and fun facts. This tour was well worth the cost
JoAnna_S, May 2026
Beautiful views and good information given, however there was no free time on the Asian side as was advertised in the tour description. The boat stopped for passengers to get ON the boat, but we were not given the option to get off and have free time.
Heike_B, May 2026
The 2 hour boat cruise on the Bosphorus was well worth it, especially our guide was brilliant, she was highly knowledgeable and engaging.
Kelly_S, May 2026
Don't miss this excursion. We stopped and got out in Asia. Now I can say I've been to Asia. We spend one hour before jumping on the boat and crusing back.
Abdullah_M, May 2026
Today, May 18, 2026, I had a tour on this boat. The guide was very kind and explained everything thoroughly. I also enjoyed their black tea served with cookies.
Kelly_B, May 2026
We enjoyed the narrated tour. One spoke in English and the other in Russian. We got a little chilly at the end- bring a layer if doing the sunset cruise in the Spring.
Leila_A, May 2026
Excellent experience. They’ll reach out as soon as you book to send detailed instructions on meeting points and the boat picture. You will enjoy all the important monuments from the water. The guide (Sheila) was giving fun facts and the most important things to know. She even gave us recs on where to have lunch later. It was a very nice experience. You will have plenty of time to take pictures.
Antony_C, May 2026
Well organised, with clear messaging. Super informative all along the waterway. Easy to find which in Istanbul is a real bonus
Jason_M, May 2026
A lengthy, relaxing cruise around the famed Bosphorus Strait with full descriptions of sites passed, a wonderful experience.
Anna_M, May 2026
Great trip. Booked only a few hours before departure. Back on time which is essential for cruisers. Choice of multiple languages.
Stephen_N, May 2026
Possibly the best deal offered from Viator, Under 10$ and spent 3 hours on boat with guide, no pressure selling at all, just sit and relax. Highly recommend this one.
Tony_R, May 2026
The guide was hard to impossible to understand. Otherwise the tour was visually informative. Reasonably priced.
Susan_G, Apr 2026
There were two boats next to each other - The Naral and The Ibrahim Naral: first lady looked at our tickets, showed them to a colleague, then put us on the wrong boat. We ended up on a 3-hour trip including an hour free time om Asian side. We were on a cruise ship leaving that day - the extra, acccidental hour might have caused us to miss a ship departure. Fortunately, it didn't! Other than that, we enjoyed it.
lisa_b, Apr 2026
Fabulous tour!! And includes lots of history with very knowledgeable guides. I would highly recommend!
Maire_L, Apr 2026
Lovely trip on the water.You get a good idea of the city and its size.Pleasant speed and worth the money!
Arti_R, Apr 2026
Smooth boat ride and a great experience. Learned a lot of information and history about Istanbul without it being overwhelming.
Hauwa_H, Apr 2026
A awesome little outing with the family. Guides were very informative. Great knowledge of the area. Great views of the bosphorus and surrounding areas. Prompt start and came back in perfect time. Great sunset views. Bring something warm to cover up with. It’s cold on the water. A shell or a cardigan is recommended.
Diary_D, Apr 2026
Wonderful experience. Even though the weather was chilly the atmosphere warmed it up and the tea was so delicious.
Vader_D, Apr 2026
Very impressive route, we had very good guides in English. Unfortunatley we had a cold weather, but very nice scenary
Malone_M, Mar 2026
We did 2 scenic cruises while in Istanbul and this was by far the better one. A much more comfortable boat and a much better tour experience. Mahsun was an excellent tour guide! And the refreshments were a nice touch.
Viktoria_A, Mar 2026
Really enjoyed the tour - very organised, beautiful places, Asian site was impressive, very beautiful sunset. We were offered a tea with biscuits. And guys made a great job! Thank you so much! Really recommend it!
Dorisa_R, Mar 2026
Owner/manager was absolutely terrible. He was extremely unorganized and unaccomodating. My family and I arrived at the pickup spot 20 minutes early and saw the boat dock. Then, he came and told us we weren’t in line and by that time the line was all the way up the hill. We explained we had our mobile tickets already and came at the location we were told early and he still told us to go to the back of the line. The tour itself was nice and the guide was very informative, but I recommend booking another line or if you’re going to book this particular cruise, book through your hotel or tour guide or group.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise itself and found the guide informative.
At busy departure points, all guests are required to join the same boarding line regardless of ticket type, including mobile tickets. Arriving early does not automatically reserve a place in the queue, and our staff’s role is simply to ensure boarding remains fair and organized for everyone.
While waiting in line can sometimes be frustrating during peak periods, it is a normal part of managing large tour departures and does not reflect the quality of the cruise experience itself. We appreciate your understanding and hope the overall tour left you with good memories of the Bosphorus.
Ram_B, Mar 2026
The price for a 3 plus hour boat ride is phenomenal.
It's a large boat that has good heating and provides a smooth ride. Good narration in English and Russian.
Guides are polite and professional.
Highly recommend.
Lloyd_H, Feb 2026
It was a nice boat ride. It was beautiful sightseeing of the city and history of the city. We took some really great pictures
From $11.68
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Bosphorus Explorer: 2-Hour Cruise Throughout the Day
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