Istanbul Two Continents Half-Day Afternoon tour
Istanbul, Turkey
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
See two continents in one incredible afternoon during this half-day guided tour from Istanbul. Visit the elegant Beylerbeyi Palace on the European side and capture stunning panoramic views from the Asian side while receiving informative commentary from your expert guide.
- Afternoon tour of Beylerbeyi Palace and views from Camlica Hill
- Travel from Istanbul's European shores over the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city
- Elegant Beylerbeyi Palace and its waterfront location
- Panoramic views over Istanbul from Camlica Hill
- English-speaking guide
- Pick-up and drop-off from central Istanbul hotels
What's Included
- Hotel pickup
- Local guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel drop off
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
After meeting your guide at your central Istanbul hotel, hop aboard your vehicle for an afternoon tour of two continents. Start by following your guide into the 19th century Beylerbeyi Palace one of the largest and most beautiful Ottoman palaces. Built by Sarkis Balyan, a renowned Armenian architect, learn about the grandeur of this Ottoman monument as you admire views along the waterfront of the Bosphorous Strait.
Next, leave the Beylerbeyi Palace and head across the expansive Bosphorus Bridge connecting the European and Asian continents. Enjoy the feeling of crossing from one continent to the other in only two minutes!
Continue to Camlica Hill on the Asian side. As you arrive at Istanbul’s peak point, hop out for an opportunity to capture sweeping views of the city’s skyline. Surrounding this vantage point, your guide will point out the wonderful Ottoman gardens making this view even more irresistible.
Snap your last photos, hop back into the vehicle and head back to your Istanbul hotel.
Next, leave the Beylerbeyi Palace and head across the expansive Bosphorus Bridge connecting the European and Asian continents. Enjoy the feeling of crossing from one continent to the other in only two minutes!
Continue to Camlica Hill on the Asian side. As you arrive at Istanbul’s peak point, hop out for an opportunity to capture sweeping views of the city’s skyline. Surrounding this vantage point, your guide will point out the wonderful Ottoman gardens making this view even more irresistible.
Snap your last photos, hop back into the vehicle and head back to your Istanbul hotel.
1
Beylerbeyi Palace
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Bosphorus Bridge
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Camlica Hill
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Confirmation for this product will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for children aged 4 and under
- Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Reviews
3.5
based on 54 reviews
Christopher_F, Jun 2022
Decided to do this on our arrival day in Istanbul. Sevilay was a great guide and great company for the afternoon. She was a huge help in the Spice Bazaar as well, taking us to all of the best spots in there.
Katherine B, Apr 2015
Overall not a bad tour, but not the most interesting topics. Might not do again.
MJ W, Oct 2014
It was a great bus tour but the resistance to let me use my mobility aids limited the trip because the driver wouldn't let me use my wheelchair. He was very upset that I wasn't 100% physically fit and able to run a marathon. I could not find anyone who spoke English to explain why the risk of the palace in plastic shoe covers is extremely dangerous for falls and wondered if they had safer options. I saw the English guide for about 30seconds and was told to sit in the corner at the Palace because he had to get going. No one else spoke English. He didn't apologize, ask if he could help out at all, nothing. He told me I couldn't go on his tour, but needed to take the spice market tour instead, which wasn't my interest. I suspect it was just his attitude. I opted for the French and German speaking bus rather than fight with the English guide or take a tour I didn't need.
js839, Oct 2014
Good short half day tour. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. We started by going to Asia. Had some time to take pictures and walk around. We then went to the palace, which was great. The tour guide could have been a little bit more personalable. He seemed somewhat robotic, but nice.
Mrs E S Duarte D, Sep 2014
Nice to see a different part of the city and good overall views. Would be best done on a clear day. Excellent guide
Virginia R, Jul 2014
While the tour was short, it was a great opportunity to visit the Asian side of Istanbul. The temperature was a bit cooler than the European side and it has beautiful palaces and vista outlooks. We also had an opportunity to taste delicious Turkish ice cream made with goat milk and Orchid powder1
gail, May 2014
Unfortunately it rained heavily on the day of the tour and we saw very little, but enjoyed the Sumer palace
Edward K, Mar 2014
It was nice taking a trip over the Bosphorous, but this could have been so much better.
Aziz was a great tour guide, explaining the history and taking you around.
This trip was really only 2 hours not a half a day, add in another hour of picking up and dropping people off.
You start off with some free time up at the highest point on the Asian side, really nice views. Then you drive around, I forget what places we stopped at except the last stop which was the Sultans summer palace. Really nice palace. This trip could be so much better however. Suggestions: Spend more time in other Asian parts and also make a stop at the Dolambache palace - that would have been really nice.
Raymond C, Mar 2014
We seemed to join another tour at the halfway point, the place was good but the rest of the trip.seemed a bit pointless
Robert S, Dec 2013
The guide on this tour was less fluent in English than the guide on my other tour.
This tour spent more time on the bus than I expected, hence less time at the sites I wanted to see.
I'm not loudly complaining, it's just that I didn't find the half-day tour to be as valuable as a full-day tour.
Joseph_S, Oct 2013
Istanbul...what a great city! A city on 2 continents. While most of the treasures
are on the European side, a tour, including the Asian side, makes the trip better.
Johanna P, Aug 2013
Beautiful views across Istanbul and marvelous palace with good guide.
Kevin K, Jun 2013
all this tour comprises is a trip up a very high hill for a photo opportunity and then a visit to the former Sultan's summer palace. That's it. Not great value.
Claudia A, Jun 2013
Great half day trip to the Asian side of Instabul. Crossing over the bridge you'll visit a palace and then up the hill for panoramic views! Beautiful!
123gabyn, May 2013
We were picked up on time, (1.00 PM) but the tour started at 2.00 PM because of transfers to another bus. We loved the view of the hill and the palace (but I find this a little bit unorganised, we had to wait for almost half an hour at the entrance). I think 35 euro is too much, when you take the hop on hop off (Bospharus/city window) than you can do this on your own.
Julian E, Apr 2013
Another awesome experience through Viator. Our tour guide was super friendly and very knowledgeable about Istanbul, answering all of our questions and explaining what we were seeing in great detail. The tour included a trip over the big cable suspension bridge and up to the top of the highest hill in Istanbul with spectacular views of the entire city, plus a guided tour of the summer palace used by two sultans in the 19th century. I highly recommend this tour as its a great way to see both continents in one day. Amazing views and definitely worthwhile.
Mrs_C, Feb 2013
worth doing if have a spare afternoon would have liked a little more info on Istanbul's history as we travelled. Guides English could have been better
Frank G, Feb 2013
I imagine it is not easy to coordinate groups of people and then arrange for them to be in specific locales at specific times. I can accept that to a certain extend, but we were kept waiting 40+ minutes before we even got on the road to begin our tour. Time is precious in a new city, right?
A and V, Feb 2013
Bus tour across the bridge, unfortunately it was raining,the guide gave general information, only 2 visits not so exciting
Betty S, Dec 2012
This was a good tour and enjoyed by all three of us. It gave us a better understanding of Istanbul and we were very pleased.
Knud Erik L, Nov 2012
We we're picked uo at the appointed time but then driven around for half an hour, dropped off and had to wait for the right bus. It took too long.
Inita G, Nov 2012
Most enjoyable day in Istanbul, unforgettable tour and very well organized. Umut is a fantastic guide, full of knowledge, spoke perfect english and kept our interest at all times. The summer residence was delightful and absolutely amazing! Stunning views from Camlica Hill. Loved this tour and highly recommend!
Dimity, Oct 2012
Palace was specatular. Great insight into the city
Trisha, Sep 2012
This was an interesting afternoon, the Beylerbeyi Palace was amazing and the view from Camlica Hill was great. Would recommend.
fei, Sep 2012
Visit dolmabahce palace, no space between the different groups visiting the palace at the same time resulting in a cacophony of all languages from guides.
Paul C, Sep 2012
I would definitely recommend this tour but it did seem a bit hurried. Not the tour companies fault, just a lot to cover in a short amount of time.
EARL S, Sep 2012
Tour was very good. They picked us up at our hotel, on time and drove us to the meeting point. As it turned out, the real tour started about 1/2 mile from our hotel. They could just ads easily picked us up on the way to the Asian side.
The view from the Asian side is much different than the European side. This area is newer, more modern. They took us to the highest hill and the views were terrific.
The summer palace was nice, but they do not allow you to take pictures and we would have liked to do so.
All in all, the guide was knowledgable and answered questions. His English was very good.
Laura S, Jul 2012
Very enjoyable, fabulous trip - saw lots of places we wouldn't have had time to see on our own. Thank you
WAYNE W, Jun 2012
Very good way to get an overview of Istanbul on both sides of the Bosphorus
ricotarola, Jun 2012
The tour could have been more informative, but the views from Camlica hill are breathtaking.
Likely to Sell Out
From $90.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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