A Bosphorus cruise guide: which boat, how long

Short cruise or full day, where to board, what you see — and the best hour to go.

4 min read

Short cruise: 1.5 – 2 hrs
Departure: Eminonu, Kabatas, Besiktas
Best time: Late afternoon and sunset

Short cruise or full day

Short Bosphorus cruises usually run an hour and a half to two hours and cover the stretch between the two bridges; they fit comfortably inside a city-tour day. Full-day cruises go up to the mouth of the Black Sea, stop at Anadolu Kavagi and take the whole day. For most families with children the short cruise is enough; the long one can leave everyone tired on the way back.

What you see

The boat passes Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, the Maiden's Tower and the wooden waterside mansions on both shores. Seeing the city from the water gives a perspective hours of walking cannot, and it is the most productive part of the day for photographs. The upper deck is best for the view but windy; a light jacket helps.

Choosing the hour

At midday the sun is overhead and photographs come out harsh. Late afternoon and sunset are best for both light and temperature; in summer that is also when it starts to cool. Fixing the boat time in advance also settles the order of the day's other stops.