• Bosphorus Strait - The Bosphorus, historically known as the Bosporus, is a significant strait and international waterway that divides the continents of Asia and Europe, linking the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. It generally extends in a northeast-southwest direction, splitting Istanbul into the European and Anatolian sides.

The Bosphorus serves as a vital connection between Asia and Europe, stretching 30 kilometers in length. It links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. The strait has an average depth of 60 meters, with its deepest point reaching 120 meters. Its width varies significantly due to its proximity to the shore, with the widest point measuring 3,500 meters.

In the Bosphorus, surface currents flow from the Black Sea to the Marmara, while underwater currents move from the Marmara to the Black Sea. Occasionally, counter currents appear on the water surface.

• Dolmabahce Palace - Dolmabahçe Palace is an Ottoman palace situated on a 250,000 m² area in Istanbul, Beşiktaş, between Dolmabahçe Street, which stretches from Kabataş to Beşiktaş, and the Bosphorus. It is located on the left bank at the entrance to the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara, opposite Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk.

Dolmabahçe, once a cove where ships anchored in ancient times, became the favored residence of the sultanate, embodying centuries of history and the clear splendor of the Bosphorus waters.

• Ciragan Palace Kempinski - Commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed by architect Sarkis Balyan, the Cıragan Palace stands where a former wooden summer palace built by Selim III in 1800 once existed. During its construction, the wooden structure and the nearby Beşiktaş Mevlevihane were demolished. Completed in 1871, the palace is made of marble and spans 80,000 square meters. After Abdulaziz was deposed, he and his family were imprisoned here for years. Similarly, after Murat V was deposed, he was held here for 29 years with his family. Following the declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy in 1908, the palace served as the House of Parliament but was damaged by fire in 1910. The grounds were later transferred to the Beşiktaş Sports Club and used as the Şeref Stadium. In the early 1990s, the palace was restored and reopened as a luxury hotel.
• Ortakoy - Ortaköy is a vibrant neighborhood and district in Beşiktaş, on the European side of the Bosphorus. The Ortaköy district, comprising Ortaköy and Mecidiye neighborhoods, is nestled on the slopes along the valley leading to the coast. The district is bordered by Kuruçeşme, Ulus, Levazım, Balmumcu, and Yıldız, with Defterdarburnu marking its northern boundary.

Ortaköy Bazaar is bustling at all hours with its “intellectual market,” souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. However, in the early morning, the market is somewhat quiet, with activity picking up after 10:00 am.

• Bosphorus Bridge - The Bosphorus Bridge, one of two suspension bridges over the Bosphorus, has its foundations in Ortaköy on the European side and Beylerbeyi on the Anatolian side. As the first bridge built over the Bosphorus, it facilitates access between the city’s two sides, alongside the later Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Bosphorus ferries.

The concept of constructing a bridge over the Bosphorus dates back many years. After numerous attempts, construction of the Bosphorus Bridge began in 1970, and it was inaugurated on October 29, 1973, marking the 50th anniversary of the Republic’s proclamation. This suspension bridge is a crucial component of Turkey’s transportation network and remains active around the clock. It also serves as a key crossing point for the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon, organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Beyond transportation, the bridge is a significant symbol of Istanbul, offering a unique view of the Bosphorus.

• Rumeli Fortress - Situated in Sarıyer, Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı) was built directly across from Anadolu Hisarı (the Anatolian Fortress). Construction commenced in 1453 under the orders of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, positioning the fortress at the Bosphorus’s narrowest point. The fortress was completed in just three months. Before Istanbul’s conquest, it served as a defense against naval attacks. After the conquest, it functioned as an inspection point for maritime traffic on the Bosphorus.
  Over the centuries, the fortress’s interior filled with small wooden houses, but these were removed during restoration work in 1953. Following its restoration, the fortress became known for hosting numerous summer concerts and now serves as an open-air theater and museum.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Istanbul’s second bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü), was constructed between Kavacık and Hisarüstü. Construction began in 1986, and the bridge opened on July 3, 1988. The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge ranks as the 14th largest steel suspension bridge globally.
  Alongside the Bosphorus Bridge and the city’s ferries, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge handles a significant portion of Istanbul’s trans-Bosphorus traffic. It has also become an iconic part of the Istanbul skyline.
• Anadolu Hisari Fort - The Anatolian Fortress (Anadolu Hisarı) is located in Beykoz (on the Asian Side), at the Bosphorus’s narrowest point. Built in 1395 by Beyazit I, it comprises a citadel and its exterior castle walls. After Istanbul’s conquest, it lost much of its strategic importance and was converted into a military hospital. Over time, the area around the castle became settled. Today, waterfront houses and old mansions are scattered among the castle’s ruins. During restoration work from 1991-1993, it was converted into a museum, although it is not open to the public. Currently, Anadolu Hisarı is an open-air museum, but only the outer walls can be visited, and the road passes directly through it.
• Kucuksu Pavilion - The Kucuksu Palace, located on the Bosphorus coast road between Üsküdar and Beykoz, is a small Ottoman summer palace commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecit. The palace was designed by the renowned architect of the time, Nikogos Balyan. With its stunning view of the Bosphorus, Kucuksu attracted many Sultans during the Ottoman period who used the palace for relaxation. Due to the exquisite quality of its furniture, paintings, carpets, and intricate details, the small palace was opened as a museum during the Republican period.
• Beylerbeyi Palace - The Beylerbeyi Palace (meaning “Lord of Lords”) is an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860s on the Bosphorus shores. Today, it lies directly beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by the esteemed architect Sarkis Balyan, the palace blends elements of Renaissance, Baroque, and other styles from both the East and West. The main building of the complex is a two-story stone structure on a high basement, covering approximately 2,500 square meters on a rectangular floor plan. The South side of the Palace was designated as the Imperial Mabeyn, and the North side as the Valide Sultan’s Apartment. The palace features six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam, and one bathroom across two stories.
  In addition to its breathtaking view of the Bosphorus and historical architecture, visitors should not miss exploring its lily pond and expansive garden.
• Galata Tower - Constructed by the Genoese in 1348, this nine-story tower stands at 66.90 meters and was the tallest building in the city when built.
  During the Ottoman Era, the tower served various purposes, including as a fire observatory and a jail. Throughout its long history, the tower has witnessed many events, but the most remarkable was in 1632 when Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi glided from the top of the Galata Tower across the Bosphorus to Üsküdar using self-made wings. In 1875, a storm destroyed the tower’s conical roof, which was not restored during the remainder of the Ottoman Era. In the 1960s, the conical cap was restored, and the wooden interior was replaced with a concrete structure. Since then, the tower has been open to the public. Today, a restaurant and cafe occupy its upper floor. With its prominent role in Istanbul’s skyline, Galata Tower offers the perfect spot for a panoramic view of the city.
• Kız Kulesi - The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a distinctive feature of the Bosphorus skyline. Built on a small island about 200 meters from the Üsküdar shore, the tower is the subject of many legends.
  The most popular legend involves a sultan and his daughter. An oracle predicted that the sultan’s daughter would die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. To protect her, the sultan had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus, where she lived in secrecy and safety. On her 18th birthday, the sultan brought her a basket of fruit as a gift, unaware of the hidden snake inside. When she reached into the basket, the princess was bitten by the snake and died in her father’s arms, as foretold by the oracle. This legend gave the tower its name: Maiden’s Tower.

• Professional Local Guide
• Snacks
• On-board restrooms
• Entry/Admission - Dolmabahce Palace

• Alcoholic beverages
• Transfer services

Visitors will be captivated by the intriguing history and architecture of Dolmabahçe Palace, feeling as though they have traveled back in time while exploring the palace’s stunning gardens and rooms, all enhanced by the insights of a professional English-speaking guide. Following this, guests can relish the beauty of the Bosphorus aboard a yacht while enjoying a snack. The journey is enriched by views of numerous historic castles and mansions, accompanied by a fantastic team. This promises to be an awe-inspiring experience, with ample opportunities to capture photos as the magnificent sun sets over ancient Istanbul.

• Not recommended for travelers with vertigo and seasickness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.