• Dolmabahce Palace - Dolmabahçe Palace is a stunning palace situated in Istanbul, Turkey. It stands as one of the city’s most important architectural and historical landmarks. Here’s some information about Dolmabahçe Palace:

History: The construction of Dolmabahçe Palace started in 1843 and was finished in 1856. It served as the primary administrative center and residence for the Ottoman sultans from the mid-19th century until the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Architecture: The palace is a fusion of various architectural styles, incorporating elements of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Ottoman architecture. It boasts an impressive façade, grand halls, and exquisite interior decorations.

Layout: Dolmabahçe Palace is located on the European side of Istanbul, along the Bosphorus Strait. The palace complex spans approximately 45,000 square meters and includes several buildings, such as the main palace, the harem section, the imperial stables, and the clock tower.

• Dolmabahce Mosque - The Bezmi Alem Mosque, also known as the Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque, is a historic mosque located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey. Here’s some information about the Bezmi Alem Mosque:

History: The Bezmi Alem Mosque was constructed in the 19th century and completed in 1851. It was commissioned by Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan, the mother of Sultan Abdülmecid I and the widow of Sultan Mahmud II. The mosque is named in her honor.

Architecture: The mosque is a remarkable example of Ottoman architecture. It was designed by the architect Senekerim Balyan, a member of the renowned Balyan family of architects during the Ottoman Empire. The architectural style of the Bezmi Alem Mosque is characterized by its grand dome, elegant minarets, and spacious courtyard.

• Bosphorus Strait - The Bosphorus Strait is a natural waterway that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It divides Istanbul into two parts, with the European side on the west and the Asian side on the east. Cruising along the Bosphorus offers breathtaking views of the city’s iconic landmarks, palaces, and beautiful waterfront mansions.

Bosphorus Cruise Tours in Istanbul Turkey, A Short Overview of the Bosphorus
Istanbul is a maritime city, and many travelers find that boarding one of its famous flotillas of ferries becomes a highlight of their visit. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Bosphorus and Golden Horn (Halic) were bustling with caiques (long, thin rowboats), their oars rhythmically dipping into the currents as they transported the sultan and his courtiers from the palace to the pavilion, and from Europe to Asia. The caiques are long gone, but in their place are the sleek speedboats of the affluent elite and the much-loved public ferries used by the rest of Istanbul’s population.

• Ciragan Palace Kempinski - The Çırağan Palace (Çırağan Sarayı), also known as the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, is a historic palace-turned-luxury hotel located on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. Here’s some information about the Çırağan Palace:

History: The Çırağan Palace has a rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire. It was originally built in the 19th century during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I. The palace served as the residence of Ottoman sultans and witnessed significant events in Turkish history.

Architecture: The Çırağan Palace showcases magnificent Ottoman architecture. It features a blend of architectural styles, combining elements of classical Ottoman design with influences from European Neoclassical and Baroque styles. The palace boasts grand domes, ornate façades, and intricate interior decorations.

• Buyuk Mecidiye Cami - The Ortaköy Mosque, also known as the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, is a renowned mosque located in the Ortaköy neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. Here’s some information about the Ortaköy Mosque:

History: The Ortaköy Mosque was constructed in the mid-19th century during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I. It was designed by the Armenian architect Nigoğayos Balyan, a member of the prominent Balyan family of architects in the Ottoman Empire.

Architecture: The mosque combines various architectural styles, including Neo-Baroque, Neoclassical, and Ottoman elements. It is known for its distinct and elaborate design, featuring a large central dome and two minarets with intricate ornamentation. The mosque’s façade is adorned with colorful tiles and intricate stone carvings.

• Bosphorus Bridge - Inaugurated on October 29, 1973, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, this bridge has the longest span in Europe and the fourth in the world. This suspension bridge has a total length of 1560 meters (1706 yards) and a width of 33.4 meters (110ft). The span between pylons is 1074 meters (1175 yards) and the clearance above sea level is 64 meters (210ft). The construction of the steel box-girder suspension was carried out by a British-German consortium.
• Galatasaray Island - Location: Su Ada is a small island located in the Bosphorus Strait, between the districts of Beşiktaş and Üsküdar on the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, respectively.

History: Su Ada was originally a breakwater built in the 19th century to protect the nearby Ottoman palace from strong currents. It was later transformed into an artificial island and developed as an entertainment and recreational complex.

Facilities: Su Ada is primarily known for its luxury restaurant, beach club, and swimming pool facilities. The island offers a tranquil atmosphere, with its lush greenery, private cabanas, and lounging areas. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and indulging in a variety of culinary delights at the restaurant.

• Rumeli Fortress - Rumelihisari Fortress - (Rumelihisari Castle)
  At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus stands the Rumelihisari Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror on the European shore. The Sultan himself laid the foundation stone of the Fortress on March 26, 1452, with the aim of controlling the passage of ships through the Bosphorus and using it as a base for his attack on the city. The fortress or castle was built upon the ancient site of Hermaion. It was completed in five months on August 28, 1452. The cannon on the towers could command this narrowest part of the Bosphorus opposite the older fortress of Anadoluhisari. Darius in 500 BC had thrown a pontoon bridge across the Strait at this point and passed over 700,000 men. To Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror, it was the key to Constantinople. The design of the walls and the towers display the Prophet’s and the Conqueror’s name - Muhammet - Mehmet.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosphorus Strait. When completed in 1988, it was the 5th-longest suspension bridge span in the world.
• Anadolu Hisari Fort - Anadoluhisarı, known historically as Güzelce Hisar, is a medieval Ottoman fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey on the Anatolian side of the Bosporus.
• Kucuksu Pavilion - Kucuksu Summer Palace
  Called the “Garden of Lamps” in Ottoman times, the royal garden at Kucuksu was much loved by Murat IV (1623-1640), who called it the “Silver Cypress.” Beginning in the 17th century, particularly at the start of the 18th century, there was a great deal of construction here.
• Beylerbeyi Palace - Beylerbeyi Palace
  Since Byzantine times, Beylerbeyi and its vicinity have been a settled area. According to the famous Swiss traveler Inciciyan, Constantine the Great erected a cross there, and the area was called the “Crucifix Gardens” in Byzantine times.
• KIz Kulesi - Kizkulesı (Maiden’s Tower - Leander’s Tower)
  About 180 meters away from the shores of Üsküdar stands this tower which bears two different names. Europeans who named it the Leander’s Tower thought that it was there where Leander was drowned while attempting to swim the Bosphorus to reach his beloved Hero, the priestess of Aphrodite. But, in fact,

Leander never crossed here even in the legend which refers to the Hellespont, Dardanelles. The Turkish name is KIZ kulesi (Maiden’s Tower). It is now a modern lighthouse. In the past, it served as a fort to tax ships up to one-tenth of their cargo, similar to Pfalz Castle on the Rhine.

The story of the Maiden’s Tower, which has never been verified, goes like this.

• Blue Mosque - THE MOSQUE OF SULTAN AHMET (THE BLUE MOSQUE)
  One of the most famous monuments of the Turkish and Islamic world is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which enchants visitors of Istanbul.

An example of classical Turkish art and architecture, it is the only mosque with six minarets. It is surrounded by two-thousand-year-old historical monuments.

• Hagia Sophia Mosque - ST. SOPHIA
  Hagia Sophia: Typical examples of the unique qualities of Byzantine architecture are found in Istanbul, the capital of ancient Byzantium. Architects created a new style inspired by ancient monuments. Such as the basilica, which was basically a market or gathering place, a Roman hall of justice, was Christianized to become a church. In the place of a judge to settle small trade disputes, Jesus became the judge in Christianity. The basilica is oblong in shape. The interior is separated into three naves by a series of columns, with the middle nave wider than those beside it. On the eastern side is a semi-circular apse extending outward. To the west is a passageway or hall, called a narthex.
• Suleymaniye Mosque - Suleymaniye Mosque
  The most impressive of the mosques which form the famous Istanbul silhouette is the mosque of Suleymaniye.
  The well-proportioned and neat aesthetics of its exterior and only the three walls of the fountain’s courtyard, the fountain, the crown doors, the mihrab, up to the first balcony of the minarets, and a part of the surrounding wall remain from the original construction. The qible wall of the arcade in the fountain courtyard is higher than the other walls. The outer hoops of the domes are eight-sided and rest on arches.
• Galata Koprusu - The Galata Bridge is an iconic landmark in Istanbul, Turkey. It spans the Golden Horn, a natural harbor that divides the city’s European side into two parts. The bridge connects the neighborhoods of Karakoy and Eminonu.

The history of the Galata Bridge dates back to the Byzantine period, but the current bridge is a modern structure. The original bridge was constructed in the 19th century and was a wooden bridge. However, it was replaced with a more durable and functional bridge in the 1990s.

• Galata Tower - The Galata Tower, also known as Galata Kulesi in Turkish, is an iconic medieval tower located in the Galata neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city and offers panoramic views of Istanbul’s skyline.

The tower was originally built in the 14th century by the Genoese colony that inhabited the area during the Byzantine period. It served as a defensive tower and a watchtower for the city. Over the centuries, the tower has undergone several renovations and restorations.

• Galataport Istanbul - Galataport is a large-scale urban regeneration project located in the Karaköy neighborhood of Istanbul, along the shores of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It aims to transform the area into a modern and vibrant waterfront destination, offering a mix of residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational spaces.

The project involves the revitalization of the existing port area, formerly known as the Salıpazarı Port, and its transformation into a multi-purpose complex. The development includes a cruise ship terminal, a marina, luxury residences, hotels, retail outlets, restaurants, parks, and cultural spaces.

• Entrance tickets of Dolmabahce Palace
• Hotel pick up and Drop off Taksim and Fatih
• All Fees and Taxes
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Tea and coffee
• Snacks
• Fruits

• Tips
• Alcoholic beverages

Explore the rich history of Istanbul by visiting the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace with a knowledgeable guide. Enjoy the city’s wonders on a serene Bosphorus yacht cruise, where you can view Istanbul’s landmarks from the water and make a brief stop at Kanlica Village.

Start your day with a half-day tour that includes a visit to Dolmabahce Palace, the former royal residence of the Ottoman Sultans, and the graceful Dolmabahce Mosque.

Experience the Bosphorus in a calm, informative, and truly delightful manner. Following your guided tour, set sail on a 2.5-hour luxury yacht cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. This exclusive, small-group tour is crafted to provide a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, allowing you to enjoy Istanbul’s unique allure from a new angle.

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