رحلة الغداء في مضيق البوسفور في إسطنبول مع الاستلام والتوصيل من الفندق

Bosphorus lunch cruise with pick-up from your hotel: the essentials

On this three-hour trip you spend the middle of the day on the Bosphorus and eat lunch on board, with prices from $75 per person. A driver collects you from your hotel in central Istanbul, or a spot you choose, and takes you to the pier. The boat then sails between Europe and Asia, passing Ottoman palaces, mansions on the water, the Ortakoy Mosque and Rumeli Fortress, while a fresh lunch is served. The price covers a licensed guide who speaks English, transfers, parking, tolls and local taxes.

Is the Bosphorus cruise worth doing?

It is. Istanbul's whole shape comes from the Bosphorus, and plenty of visitors call the cruise the best part of their trip. The water shows you things the streets cannot: the row of palaces and timber mansions along each shore, the fortresses that used to guard the strait, and the bridges between two continents. Doing it at lunchtime means you get a meal and a guide too, and your morning and evening stay open.

Should you pick the lunch or the dinner cruise?

Pick the lunch cruise if you want the guide to explain what you see. Pick the evening cruise with dinner and a Turkish night show if you are after a night out. Plenty of people book both.

Which sights does the cruise pass?

The boat travels between the shores of Europe and Asia with views of Istanbul's best-known landmarks. Among them are the Ortakoy Mosque, right beside the Bosphorus Bridge, and Rumeli Fortress, which Sultan Mehmed II had built ahead of his conquest of Constantinople in 1453. As you go, your guide shows you the Ottoman palaces and the yali, old wooden mansions that stand along the water on both sides.

How else can you see the Bosphorus?

Do you get drinks with lunch?

The lunch is part of the price, but drinks with it are not; you can buy them on board. If you are vegetarian or have other dietary needs, mention it when booking.

When is the best time for the cruise?

It sails all year. Between May and October the open deck is the best spot, with sunshine and a cool breeze from the water. In spring the shores are in blossom, and autumn gives gentle light. Winter is chilly on deck, yet sunny days give clear views and you can stay indoors between photos.

Does it suit families and older travellers?

Yes. Because you are picked up and dropped off at your hotel, nobody has to walk to the pier or find the way back, and on board you sit and relax. Few Bosphorus trips are easier for grandparents and young children.

What should you pack?

Pack a light jacket or windbreaker, as the water is cooler than the city, plus sunglasses and a summer hat for the deck, sunscreen, and cash or a card for drinks.

How can you reserve?

Pick a date on this page and submit the form, or send a WhatsApp message with the name of your hotel. We send your pick-up time in writing, and payment is only taken after we confirm. Find more options among our tours in Istanbul and Turkey tour packages.