Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Istanbul: Folk & Belly Dance Show, Transfers
Overview
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Istanbul: Folk & Belly Dance Show, Transfers
At night the palaces, waterfront mansions and bridges along the Bosphorus are lit up, and this dinner cruise shows them to you from the water. The boat travels between the European and Asian shores while dinner, freshly cooked, is served at your table.
Entertainment runs through the evening: a Turkish folk dance show, a belly dance act, and a dance floor with music. Pick an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks package. We also arrange your hotel pick-up and drop-off, so there is nothing for you to organise.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Hotel Pick-up, Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show
Pick-up time is between 19:00 and 20:00 and depends on your hotel; departure from the pier is at roughly 20:30.
- Hotel pick-up: we collect you at your hotel in central Istanbul, or at another spot you name, and drive you to the pier.
- Boarding and welcome: staff show you to your table and serve a welcome drink.
- Dinner: cold meze to start, then fish, chicken or meat as the main course, a salad, and dessert or fruit.
- Entertainment: Turkish folk dancing, a belly dancer, a DJ for dancing, and extra live acts on some of the boats.
- Return to the pier at the end of the cruise.
- Drop-off: the vehicle takes you back to your hotel or to another point you choose.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Pick-up at your hotel and return
- ✓Dinner cruise on the Bosphorus
- ✓Served dinner
- ✓Soft drinks
- ✓Show and entertainment
- ✓Alcohol package with unlimited drinks (costs extra)
- ✓Drinks without alcohol (if chosen)
- ✓Transport with air conditioning
- ✓Local taxes
- ✕Imported Alcoholic Drinks
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Bosphorus dinner cruise and Turkish night show: the key facts
This night cruise on the Bosphorus brings together dinner, a Turkish night show and the city lights on both the European and Asian shores, priced from $90 per person. The price covers hotel pick-up and return, a welcome drink, a full dinner, soft drinks and the evening programme: a Turkish folk dance show, a belly dance act and a dance floor. An unlimited package of local alcoholic drinks can be added if you like.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | Roughly 6 hours, hotel to hotel |
| Cost | $90 per person and up |
| Pick-up | Between 19:00 and 20:00 from central hotels or a place you choose |
| Boat departs | At about 20:30 |
| What you get | Dinner, transfers, welcome drink, soft drinks, belly dance and folk dance shows, DJ, local taxes |
| What you pay extra | Imported alcoholic drinks, the alcoholic package (charged extra), tips |
Is a Bosphorus dinner cruise worth booking?
For most people it is, above all on a first visit to Istanbul. Once night falls, the bridges, mosques, waterfront mansions and palaces on the Bosphorus are lit, and the view from the water is among the finest in the city. One booking also covers the whole evening: sightseeing, entertainment, dinner and transport, with no restaurant to find and no taxi home. Expect a lively, sociable night rather than quiet fine dining; for privacy and gourmet food, a private yacht suits you better.
What is on the dinner menu?
| Course | What you get |
|---|---|
| Welcome | A drink offered as you are seated |
| Starters | A platter of cold meze |
| Main course | Chicken, fish or meat |
| Salad | Comes with the main course |
| Dessert | Fruit or dessert |
| Drinks | Soft drinks are included; the alcoholic package adds unlimited local alcoholic drinks |
Let us know about vegetarian or other dietary needs at booking so the kitchen can get ready.
What happens in the Turkish night show?
The programme features a Turkish folk dance show in regional costumes, a belly dance act, and DJ music with a dance floor where guests are encouraged to take part. Some boats add extra live shows. It is high-energy and the audience joins in, which is part of the fun.
How long does the dinner cruise take?
Plan on roughly six hours for the evening. That includes pick-up between 19:00 and 20:00, the cruise starting at about 20:30 and the ride back to your hotel afterwards. You will be up late, so keep the following morning easy.
Dinner cruise, lunch cruise or a private yacht?
| Way to see the Bosphorus | Suits | From |
|---|---|---|
| This cruise | Dinner, a show and night views, with transfers | $90 |
| Lunch cruise on the Bosphorus with hotel pick-up | Lunch, a licensed guide and daytime views, 3 hours | $75 |
| Private Bosphorus yacht cruise, 2 hours | A yacht to yourselves with a guide | $600 per group |
| Private Bosphorus yacht, up to 12 guests | Hourly private yacht, dinner on board if requested | $299 per hour |
| Aura yacht charter | Our cheapest private yacht by the hour | $190 per hour |
What is the dress code on the dinner cruise?
Go smart-casual, as you would for a nice restaurant; there is no strict code. Take a jacket or a warm layer even in summer, as the deck is cooler at night when you step out for photos. Comfortable shoes are useful if you want to dance.
When is the best time for a dinner cruise?
It runs all year. Between May and September the evenings are warm and the open decks are pleasant. In winter you stay mostly indoors and go out for the views, and the lights on the water look just as good. Summer nights and weekends sell out first.
Can children come along?
Yes. Children and families are welcome, and the shows are lively and colourful. Keep in mind that the evening finishes late, which matters with small children.
How does booking work?
Pick your date on this page and submit the form, or send us your hotel name on WhatsApp and tell us whether you want the non-alcoholic or alcoholic package. We confirm your pick-up time in writing, and payment is due only after confirmation. More ideas are in our Istanbul tours and Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is payment possible on the cruise day itself?
Yes. Payment can be made on the tour day, at pick-up or once you are on board.
Are hotel transfers part of the price?
Yes. A vehicle collects you from your hotel or chosen spot in central Istanbul and takes you back after the cruise.
What does the dinner package cover?
Dinner is cooked fresh and served while the boat cruises between the European and Asian shores, and soft drinks are part of the price. Unlimited local alcoholic drinks are available as a paid add-on, or you can keep to the non-alcoholic option. Neither package covers imported alcoholic drinks. The price also includes the entertainment programme, local taxes and return hotel transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle.
When does the Bosphorus dinner cruise begin?
Depending on where you are staying, pick-up from your hotel takes place between 19:00 and 20:00. After boarding, the boat leaves at around 20:30.
What landmarks can we see from the boat?
The illuminated sights of Istanbul pass by, including the Maiden's Tower, the Galata Bridge and the Bosphorus bridges, together with the historic waterfront and the city skyline at night.
How many hours should I set aside for the cruise?
Plan on roughly 4 to 4.5 hours from hotel pick-up to drop-off on a normal night. We collect guests from 19:00 to 20:00, departure from the pier is near 20:30, and how long the return takes depends on where your hotel is. Busy evenings with many hotel stops can stretch it, so it is wise not to book anything else afterwards.
Is alcohol included on the dinner cruise?
The standard price includes soft drinks but not alcohol. When booking, you can pay extra for unlimited local alcoholic drinks, or pick the non-alcoholic package if you prefer. Imported wines and spirits fall outside both packages and are paid for on board. Let us know your choice ahead of time and we will add it to your booking price.
Is this dinner cruise a good choice for me?
It is a good fit if you want a simple evening that combines the lit-up palaces, mansions and bridges with dinner and a lively show, with your hotel transfers taken care of. The boat is shared, with music playing and guests dancing, so do not expect a quiet, romantic meal. If you want a private night on the water, book a yacht on the Bosphorus just for your group instead.
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