Istanbul Sunset Bosphorus Cruise: Luxury Yacht Tour with Refreshments
If you truly want to get to know Istanbul, you also need to see it at sunset, from the heart of the Bosphorus. On this 2-hour sunset Bosphorus cruise departing from Kabataş, you glide between Europe and Asia aboard a luxury yacht with open and enclosed decks, witnessing the city's most enchanting hour. As the sun sinks toward the horizon, the waters turn to gold, the palaces and waterfront mansions are bathed in orange light, and then Istanbul's lights begin to come on one by one.
The yacht welcomes a maximum of 40 guests, offering a spacious and pleasurable atmosphere. If you want to feel the wind on your face, you can stretch out on the cushions of the open deck; on cool evenings, you can watch the view in cozy comfort from the glass-walled enclosed lounge. On this journey, where every corner is a photograph waiting to be taken, the 360-degree Bosphorus view is never interrupted.
Along the route, you'll see the magnificent sea-facing façade of Dolmabahçe Palace, the postcard-perfect scene of Ortaköy Mosque with the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, Bebek's elegant waterfront mansions, and Rumeli Fortress, built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1452. On the return, you'll watch the sunset in front of Küçüksu Pavilion and Beylerbeyi Palace on the Anatolian side, crowning the tour with the sight of Maiden's Tower and the silhouette of the Historic Peninsula glowing with lights.
Throughout the journey, warm tea and coffee are served alongside cookies, fresh seasonal fruit, and light snacks. If you wish, you can also bring your own drink and toast the sunset with your favorite beverage.
A romantic evening for couples, an unforgettable Istanbul memory for families and groups of friends, and for first-time visitors, the most enjoyable way to discover Istanbul from its most beautiful angle. Commentary is in English; you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour.
Tour Information
- Duration: 2 Hour
- Languages: en
- Age Groups: Baby: 0 - 0 · Child: 0 - 0 · Adult: 0 - 99
Included Services
- Professional Guide
- Turkish coffee and tea
- Snacks and fruit service
Not Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
Meeting & End Points
- Starting Point: Kabataş iskelesi
- Ending Point: Kabataş iskelesi
Meeting Points
- Kabataş Pier — Tomtom, 34427 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Tour Route
16:30 · Kabataş iskelesi — Departure from Kabataş Pier
The tour begins the moment you step aboard the luxury yacht waiting for you at Kabataş Pier. Whether you stretch out on the cushions on the open deck or take your place in the glass-lined enclosed lounge, your warm tea or coffee is handed to you as the yacht sets its course north along the Bosphorus toward the golden light of sunset.16:40 · Passing in Front of Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace, which left its mark on the final era of the Ottoman Empire, stands before you with its white marble façade stretching approximately 600 meters along the Bosphorus shore. The palace's most impressive view is captured not from land, but from the sea — right where you are now; get ready for your first shots.16:50 · Ortaköy Mosque and Çırağan Palace
After passing the elegant façade of Çırağan Palace, one of Istanbul's postcard scenes appears: the baroque-style Ortaköy Mosque rising right at the water's edge, with the first Bosphorus bridge directly behind it. When this angle meets the evening's first orange light, unforgettable photographs emerge.17:00 · Passing Beneath the July 15 Martyrs Bridge
Don't forget to look up as you glide directly beneath the legendary bridge connecting Europe and Asia. Europe on one side, the Asian shore on the other; it is here that you experience up close that unique feeling of being between two continents.17:10 · Bebek Bay and the Bosphorus Waterfront Mansions
Along the elegant bay of Bebek, one of the Bosphorus's most sought-after neighborhoods, you watch the historic wooden waterfront mansions, each telling a story of its own. The calm waters where boats are moored and the green groves along the shore make you feel far away from the city's crowds.17:20 · Rumeli Fortress and Turning Point
At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, the imposing towers of Rumeli Fortress stand before you—built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1452 in just a few months before the conquest of Istanbul. With the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in the background, the yacht turns here toward the Anatolian side.17:35 · Anadolu Fortress and Küçüksu Pavilion
On the return route, you glide along the Anatolian shore. Anadolu Fortress, directly opposite Rumeli Fortress, and Küçüksu Pavilion—a hunting lodge of the Ottoman sultans with a lace-like ornate façade—are among the most elegant stops on this tranquil side of the Bosphorus.17:50 · Beylerbeyi Palace and Sunset
One of the most magical moments of the tour: as the sun slips behind the hills of the European side, the sky shifts from orange to pink and from pink to purple. The white façade of Beylerbeyi Palace is bathed in this light as you sip your tea and watch Istanbul's most beautiful sunset from the middle of the water.18:10 · Maiden's Tower and the Historic Peninsula Skyline
As you approach the Maiden's Tower, Istanbul's symbol steeped in legend, the city lights begin to come on one by one. Before you, the illuminated silhouette of the Historic Peninsula emerges with Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia and the minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque—this very moment is the most romantic frame of the tour.18:30 · Kabataş iskelesi — Return to Kabataş Pier
The yacht docks at Kabataş Pier accompanied by the glittering Bosphorus view, and the tour comes to an end. From Kabataş, tram, funicular and ferry connections make it easy to reach any part of the city.
Popular Points
- Dolmabahçe Palace
- Büyük Mecidiye Mosque
- Rumeli Fortress
- Maiden's Tower
- July 15 Martyrs Bridge
- Bebek Shore
- Küçüksu Pavilion (National Palaces)
- Beylerbeyi Palace
Tour Rules
Not Suitable For
- Not Allowed: Wheelchair users
Good to Know
- Allowed: In bad weather, the program or departure point may change
Booking Conditions
- Confirmation is required after reservation.
- (Taxes Included)
Upcoming Departures
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Are taxes included in the tour price?
- Yes, taxes are included in the prices shown on this page.