ON THE RIVER · LUXURY RIVER CRUISES IN ISTANBUL

Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul: 6 Worth Booking

6 river trips  ·  from $31 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 6 luxury river cruises in Istanbul worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you book.

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht - Ortaköy Mosque beneath the first bridge
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

1.Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,465 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $30Our pick

Cruise from Kabataş along both shores of the Bosphorus on a small yacht with indoor and outdoor seating. You’ll pass palaces, mosques, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront neighborhoods while a guide explains the sights. Tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit, baklava, and cookies are included. Bring a jacket and arrive early for the best seats.

“Great staff, wonderful cruise boat, covered lots of areas, fantastic snacks with tea and lemonades, great experience”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht - Boarding at Kabatas and settling onto the yacht
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

2.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,435 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Set out from Kabatas on a 25-meter yacht for 2.5 hours between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. A live English or Spanish guide, including guide Murat on some departures, explains palaces, mosques, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods. Expect Turkish tea, baklava, fruit, cookies, lemonade or juice, and a calm sunset ride.

“Wonderful slow cruise on comfortable yacht with informative commentary. Very nice snacks and fruit plates with the option to purchase alcohol. Would recommend for a most enjoyable way to see the Bosphorus in the evening.”

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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax - Dolmabahçe Mosque and Palace from the water
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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

3.Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 966 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Spend about 2.5 hours on a 35-capacity yacht sailing between Europe and Asia. A live English-speaking guide points out palaces, mosques, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront districts as sunset fades and the Bosphorus Bridge lights up. Tea, coffee, water, fruit, cookies, baklava, and snacks are included. Hotel pickup is optional.

“This was a beautiful way to be introduced to the amazing city of Istanbul. The crew was accommodating and very welcoming. The narrator gave great historical information about the sites on both the European and Asian sides. The boat was spacious and easily accommodated the group. It was clean and well maintained. The wind was brutally cold but blankets were offered and available for everyone. The sunset was incredible and the captain parked the boat in order for us to get the best possible pictures. The tour was punctual and better than advertised. Don’t hesitate to book this experience, you won’t regret it!”

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Scenic Bosphorus Sunset Cruise – 2.5 Hours of Luxury & Views - Bebek and the first bridge views
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews

Scenic Bosphorus Sunset Cruise – 2.5 Hours of Luxury & Views

4.Scenic Bosphorus Sunset Cruise – 2.5 Hours of Luxury & Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 534 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Cruise the Bosphorus for about 2.5 hours aboard an air-conditioned yacht with indoor and outdoor seats, WiFi, a restroom, tea, coffee, water, juice, and snacks. You’ll pass Ottoman palaces, mosques, fortresses, bridges, fishing neighborhoods, and the Maiden’s Tower. Pickup is available if you select that option.

“Professional crew gave us a great relaxed tour and made sure we caught the sunset. The snacks of nuts, fruit, and baklava were delicious and I sprang for a G&T. The size of our party was manageable and we could all hear. Thanks for the adventure!”

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Bosphorus Luxury Lunch Cruise & Black Sea Swimming Experience - From Kabataş to the palaces of the European shore
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Bosphorus Luxury Lunch Cruise & Black Sea Swimming Experience

5.Bosphorus Luxury Lunch Cruise & Black Sea Swimming Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 447 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $181

Spend about five hours aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned yacht cruising from Kabataş toward Anadolu Kavagi. You’ll pass Ottoman palaces, mosques, fortresses, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods, enjoy a two-course lunch with tea, coffee, snacks, and water, then stop in a fishing village. In summer, there may be time to swim from the boat.

“The trip went all the way to the 3rd bridge, the start of the back Sea. (Most that we checked only go up about 2/3 of the way). The lunch was quite good, for that type of setting...tasty, and generous servings. Taking a dip up near the 3rd bridge was fun. The scenery is not spectacular, but constantly changing and fascinating seeing man's imprint on such a historic waterway, and the way it is still a major sea route - and very busy getting down around the Godlen Horn area, with the dozens of ferries zipping back and forth. Highly recommend!!! (The only recommendation is to replace the speakers/sound system…”

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2 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus - Çırağan Palace and Ortaköy’s waterfront
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2 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus

6.2 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $300 per boat (seats 12)

Spend two hours on a private yacht between Europe and Asia, passing Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Maiden’s Tower. Your group gets fresh fruit, cookies, baklava, lemonade, tea, coffee, and water. Staff members including Elena and Nour have received praise for warm, attentive service.

“We enjoyed our private cruise on the Bosporus with a guide. It was a 2 hour cruise that included drinks and snacks. The guide was knowledgeable about the points of interest and history, along the cruise . I would definitely recommend this cruise.”

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