Istanbul Shore Excursion: Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul Egyptian Bazaar
Istanbul, Turkey
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover Istanbul's best highlights in one day on this 3.5-hour guided shore excursion. After docking, you’ll promptly meet your friendly expert guide and set off to explore this historic city by coach. Tour the world-famous Spice Bazaar, then sail the calm waters of the Bosphorus River where you will have great photo opportunities with the Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, Dolmabahçe Palace and grand mosques as your backdrop. Along the way, your guide will illuminate the sites with information about the history and significance of each. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour. When the tour is over, head back to your ship for a worry-free, on-time departure.
- 3.5-hour Istanbul shore excursion including the Egyptian Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus Cruise
- Learn about the spice souk’s 17th-century history while traveling from the port
- Explore independently and browse local spices, herbs, honey and nuts at colorful stalls
- Hop aboard a sightseeing boat and enjoy a Bosphorus Strait cruise
- See legendary Istanbul landmarks such as Dolmabahçe Palace and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress from the water
What's Included
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Your 3.5-hour Istanbul shore excursion kicks off upon docking at the Port of Istanbul. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, then, once you disembark your ship, meet your expert local guide and get going. Board your comfortable coach bus and absorb the guide’s insightful narration as you kick back en route to the day’s first destination, Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, which has been in operation since the 17th century. As one one of the city’s main attractions, you’ll want to be sure you bring your camera for this overload of color.
Step off of the bus and meaner the market, perusing its array of spices and herbs. Learn about its history from your guide, then take advantage of 45 minutes of free time to explore at your own delight.
Next, depart the souk and board your coach bus, then head the iconic Bosphorus Strait. Here, you’ll get to embark on a relaxing cruise along this historic river that separates the Asia and European continents.
Find a prime sightseeing seat inside the cabin or in the fresh air on the deck. Keep a keen eye out for the stunning Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, built in the 15th-century, and for the breathtaking Dolmabahçe Palace, as well as Beylerbeyi Palace where Ottoman-era sultans spent their summer vacations. This sightseeing cruise also passes plenty of hidden gems that line the banks of the Bosphorus as well.
When your cruise is done, get back on the coach bus and head back to Istanbul Port, where you will board your original cruise ship in time for departure to continue your journey elsewhere.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:This trip ensures your on-time return to Istanbul's port. It is unlikely, but should your ship depart before your return, transportation will be arranged to your next port. Your money will be refunded if your arrival to the port of Istanbul is delayed. See the terms and conditions for details.
Step off of the bus and meaner the market, perusing its array of spices and herbs. Learn about its history from your guide, then take advantage of 45 minutes of free time to explore at your own delight.
Next, depart the souk and board your coach bus, then head the iconic Bosphorus Strait. Here, you’ll get to embark on a relaxing cruise along this historic river that separates the Asia and European continents.
Find a prime sightseeing seat inside the cabin or in the fresh air on the deck. Keep a keen eye out for the stunning Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, built in the 15th-century, and for the breathtaking Dolmabahçe Palace, as well as Beylerbeyi Palace where Ottoman-era sultans spent their summer vacations. This sightseeing cruise also passes plenty of hidden gems that line the banks of the Bosphorus as well.
When your cruise is done, get back on the coach bus and head back to Istanbul Port, where you will board your original cruise ship in time for departure to continue your journey elsewhere.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:This trip ensures your on-time return to Istanbul's port. It is unlikely, but should your ship depart before your return, transportation will be arranged to your next port. Your money will be refunded if your arrival to the port of Istanbul is delayed. See the terms and conditions for details.
1
Bosphorus Strait
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Misir Carsisi
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Galata Koprusu (Pass By)
Golden Horn (Pass By)
3
Eminonu Square
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Bosphorus Bridge (Pass By)
Dolmabahce Palace (Pass By)
Beylerbeyi Palace (Pass By)
Rumeli Fortress (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for child aged 4 and under, but you may taken them if you wish. They will pay the child rate
- Children aged 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Reviews
4.0
based on 23 reviews
JurijK8, Jan 2019
After a boat ride we've upgraded our tour to full day. Lunch was great, hotel pick up/dropp off as agreed. Ali, the guide, was great. Provided a lot of info and funny. All and all, worth paying for.
Elisabeth G, Nov 2015
It was a great tour. The combination of land and sea tours was fantastic. Our guide was very well spoken had great knowledge of the city and gave us great advice when we went to the spice bazar.
nickc, Oct 2015
What a fascinating place Istanbul is.We were very pleased with our short tour,particularly with the Bosphorus cruise.
Patrick B, May 2015
The Bazaar was OK, though not anywhere near the variety you get at the Grand Bazaar. Mostly spices and jewelry--that's about it. The Bosphorus Cruise was disappointing. The boat was a ferry boat, not very comfortable. But the real problem was that only the few people sitting closest to the guide could hear what she was saying! For the rest of us, it was just a long ferry boat ride with some nice scenery but no narration at all, so we didn't know what we were seeing.
Helen W, May 2015
Excellent tour to see the Bosphorus and Istanbul from a different perspective. Love the Egyptian Bazaar - smaller than the Grand Bazaar so easier to get around. Wonderful spices and Turkish Delight! Friendlt locals but not pushy!
anne m, May 2015
You have to travel along the Bosphorus to see the beautiful areas and houses of Istanbul otherwise you would miss so much Our guide was excellent
c.westhafer, Nov 2014
Your local contractor was very professional. We arrived early, and they were there for us, so we left early. Seckin was a great guide who was very informational.
Dani, Oct 2014
This was not one of my favorite tours. Our driver and guide were very friendly and knowledgeable. They picked us up in a very nice van and took us to the Egyptian Bazaar which is a quarter of the size of the Grand Bazaar, but still very cool. He took us to one of the shops where they sell teas and Turkish delights and nuts - but the prices are not cheap! Each of us walked out of there spending over 50 Euros for just a few items, and you don't find out the price until they are ringing it up. After that, we drove to the boat for the cruise. This was a very relaxing and uneventful cruise of the Bosphorus. The sights were interesting and it was cool to be on two continents but overall, but I think it could have been better.
Louise_O, Oct 2014
Tour guide was very accommodating with our tight schedule
rosvellines, Aug 2014
Had nice tour with 2 other couples from another ship. The van was right outside the exit from the ship as it should be. Was glad to have him with us in the Spice Bazaar because we felt safe. Enjoyed the boat ride in the Bosphorous strait. Our guide did a good job
Kenna D, Jun 2014
It was great seeing Istanbul from the Bosphorus River. It's amazing to think that Istanbul is on 2 continents~~Asia and Europe! This was a nice, relaxing cruise
Brendan L, May 2014
Guide was pleasant and helpful. He had a good knowledge of the area and pointed out the highlights. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
MEI Y, Dec 2013
Despite the rainy weather, the guide was very pleasant and very willing to answer all our questions.
Merryl Y, Nov 2013
I would have preferred at least an 1-1.5 hours at the Egyptian Bazaar as opposed to the 45 minutes we were allowed. Once inside the Bazaar our guide took us directly to a (selected) candy/tea/spice vendor. It would have been preferable to explore the area on our own. The Bosphorus cruise was a pleasant way to spend 1.5 hours on a partially rainy day.
Walter S, Nov 2013
Very nice morning tour. Picked up on time with a small group. Almost like a private tour. Nice cruise on the Bosphorous and a good trip to the Egyptian spice market. Would highly recommend.
Thomas_T, Sep 2013
The tour is great. We really enjoyed the Spice Market. Our guide explained the difference between the Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar so we could be smart shoppers. The Bosphorus cruise is beautiful and relaxing.
We were very pleased with our guide. We were picked up on time at the port and were brought back to the port. We were told that we could be dropped off someplace else if we wished to explore on our own. That was a kind offer.
We were surprised and pleased that the tour was not cancelled as there was only one other couple on the tour. Great for us, but not so great for the company
Mr G G C, Jul 2013
A very pleasent afternoon tour. the cruise boat was very comfortable and uncrowded and the trip to the spice market was really good and without any hassle.
Also many thanks to the tour company, who accommodated our last minute change of date and pickup without any fuss or problem.
Colette N, Jan 2013
Not worth the price! Our "tour" was really more like a drive to another tour. This is very easy to do on your own; the tour boat just leaves across the street from the Egyptian Bazaar and is only 1/4 of the price of this shore excursion.
DALE, May 2012
un fortunatly bazaar was closed and weather was a bit ordinary but this could have been something
c j d, Nov 2011
Excellent tour and tour guide. Would recommend Viator every time
Edward Tsz King M, Oct 2011
We did not like this tour, as the itinerary was somewhat lacking. The Bosphorus cruise took up a majority of the tour time, but it was a ship ride across the coast, which is something that we could've done on our own. Our tour guide was not very talkative either, although he might have been drained from the same tour from the morning earlier (we were the afternoon ppl, two of us only!). The Istanbul Bazaar (not the Grand one) was interesting, but again we could have been on our own. Overall, I think the itinerary is something you can do on your own, but nice thing is that you get a ride from the ship. Definitely look for a similar tour that has the Palace and the Cistern, but you can skip this tour.
Dharmilla T, Jan 2011
There is a 20 minute stop at the Egyptian Bazaar followed by the cruise of the Bhosphorus. Panoramic photo opportunity.
Elize S, Dec 2010
The lady that was our tour guide was great - friendly, knowlegable, gave us enough time to explore and enjoy. Thank you.
From $90.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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