A Cruise Tour of the Bosphorus

Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait is a channel of water 31 km long (appr.20 miles), connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. As the traffic of the city is often too great, it is always advisable to use the sea for transportation where possible, having long served just such a purpose throughout history. In the past, inhabitants of the city settled along the Bosphorus, where they built magnificent wooden houses, known as 'yali'.

Many Bosphorus cruises and tours of the strait begin in Eminonu, there being two ways of doing it. The first option is to get on the public passenger ferry of the municipality, which departs from the main quay and has two departures during the day all year round or three during the summer. The public passenger boat serves those who live on the Bosphorus shore and so it stops 6 times on the way for people to get on or off, taking you as far as Anadolu Kavagi at the gate of the Black Sea, about a one and a half hour journey each-way. Although the most economical way of visiting the waterway, there is no guarantee that you will find a seat or good viewing position in these crowded boats. For this reason, the second option of hiring a private boat is a better alternative if you wish to relax and enjoy the scenery more, particularly if you are part of a small group. See our recommended Bosphorus Tours here, with both ferry or private boat options.

Before the boat tour, why not visit the Spice Market just across the road? Depending on the time you can also visit the Rustem pasha Mosque, a most elegant mosque built in the 16th century, a little further away from the Spice Market.

Eminonu area is at the junction of the Golden Horn and the starting point of the Bosphorus. As the boat leaves, you will have a great view of the old city peninsula with Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya and Suleymaniye Mosque all rising from the hill in full splendor.

As you head towards the first stop on the European side, you will see the second residence of the Ottoman sultans, called Dolmabahce Palace, built in 1849 by the Balyan brothers. The boat will stay close to the European side for some time and you will pass one of the other works of the Balyan brothers - Ciragan Palace. After that, you will pass by the village of Ortakoy, which plays an important role in the summer nightlife of Istanbul. It has many water-side restaurants, bars and cafes. It is also an area supporting three religions - having a church, a mosque and a synagogue.

Once you pass under the first bridge, built in 1973, you will see two stylish outdoor night clubs on the European side, with Beylerbeyi Palace on the opposite Asian side. Soon you will approach an artificial island in the middle of the sea, named Galatasaray Island, built for the sports team by that name.

Looking to the Asian side, you will see a massive building with two towers - the military high school of Kuleli, built in 1861. Continuing on, a great fortress on the European side - Rumeli Fortress, greets the eye. It was built in 1452 by the Ottoman Turks to launch an attack on the Byzantines for control of the city. On the Asian side, there is another smaller fort, built half a century ago. Nearby is another small palace, again the work of the Balyan Brothers, called Kucuksu Palace, the hunting palace of the sultans.

After you pass the second bridge, built in 1988, there are mostly private residences and yalis on the banks. Many of these are very ornate and in attractive colors. The boat will stop at Kanlica (Asian side), Yenikoy and Buyukdere, before you reach the end point of the trip - Anadolu Kavagi. Here, you should get off (for a break of about 1,5 hours before the boat returns). You can enjoy something to eat in a cozy fish restaurant and go up the hill to see the medieval Genoese fortification, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view over the Bosphorus and the entrance of the Black Sea.

On the return, get off at Eminonu again, or disembark at another quay if it takes your interest.