• Dolmabahce Palace - A knowledgeable tour guide will provide insights into Dolmabahçe Palace, a significant Ottoman palace and the place where a revered leader passed away. Once the administrative hub of the Ottoman Empire, it now serves as a museum. Visitors will explore the palace’s magnificent halls, lush gardens, and luxurious furnishings, uncovering its intriguing history.
• Ciragan Palace Kempinski - Commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz and designed by architect Sarkis Balyan, Cıragan Palace stands where a wooden summer palace once built by Selim III in 1800 was located. During its construction, the wooden structure and nearby Besiktas Mevlevihane were demolished. Completed in 1871, the marble palace spans 80,000 square meters. After Sultan Abdulaziz’s deposition, he and his family were confined here, as was Murat V for 29 years. Following the Second Constitutional Monarchy in 1908, it served as the House of Parliament until a fire in 1910. Later, the grounds were used by Besiktas Sports Club as Seref Stadium. In the early 1990s, the palace was restored and reopened as a luxury hotel.
• Ortakoy - Ortakoy is a vibrant neighborhood in the Beşiktaş district on the European side of the Bosphorus. Comprising Ortakoy and Mecidiye districts, it is nestled on slopes leading to the coast. Bordered by Kurucesme, Ulus, Levazım, Balmumcu, and Yildiz districts, its northern boundary is Defterdarburnu.

Ortakoy Bazaar buzzes with activity throughout the day, featuring an “intellectual market,” souvenir shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. However, it is quieter in the early morning, with activity picking up after 10:00 am.

• Bosphorus Bridge - The Bosphorus Bridge, one of two suspension bridges over the Bosphorus, connects Ortaköy on the European side with Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. As the first bridge over the Bosphorus, it facilitates city access alongside the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and Bosphorus ferries.
• Bebek Sahili - Bebek is a historic Istanbul neighborhood on the European Bosphorus shores, surrounded by Arnavutkoy, Etiler, and Rumeli Hisari. The name Bebek, meaning “baby,” reflects its appealing location. A favored residential area since Ottoman times, Bebek’s population mirrors the era’s diverse society. Today, it boasts historical sites like Bogazici University, waterfront mansions, stunning Bosphorus views, and upscale dining.
• Rumeli Fortress - Situated in Sariyer, Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisari) was built opposite Anadolu Hisari (the Anatolian Fortress) in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror at the Bosphorus’ narrowest point. Constructed in just three months, it initially defended against naval attacks before serving as a maritime traffic inspection point post-Istanbul conquest.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Koprusu), Istanbul’s second Bosphorus bridge, links Kavacik and Hisarustu. Built between 1986 and 1988, it ranks as the world’s 14th largest steel suspension bridge. Alongside the Bosphorus Bridge and ferries, it handles much of Istanbul’s trans-Bosphorus traffic and is a notable part of the city’s skyline.
• Anadolu Hisari Fort - The Anatolian Fortress (Anadolu Hisari) is located in Beykoz on the Asian side, at the Bosphorus’ narrowest point. Built in 1395 by Beyazit I, it comprises a citadel and outer castle walls. After Istanbul’s conquest, it became a military hospital, and the surrounding area developed. Today, waterfront homes and old mansions are interspersed among the ruins. Although restored from 1991-1993 and converted into a museum, it is not open to the public. Anadolu Hisari is now an open-air museum, with only the outer walls accessible, and a road passing through it.
• Kucuksu Pavilion - The Kucuk Su Palace, situated on the Bosphorus coast road between Uskudar and Beykoz, is a small Ottoman summer palace commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecit and designed by renowned architect Nikogos Balyan. With its stunning Bosphorus views, Kucuksu was a favored retreat for Ottoman sultans. Due to its exquisite furniture, paintings, carpets, and intricate details, it was opened as a museum during the Republican era.
• Beylerbeyi Palace - Beylerbeyi Palace, meaning “Lord of Lords,” is an Ottoman summer palace complex built in the 1860s on the Bosphorus shores, beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. Designed by architect Sarkis Balyan, it blends Renaissance, Baroque, and other Eastern and Western styles. The main two-story stone building sits on a high basement, covering about 2,500 square meters. The South side housed the Imperial Mabeyn, while the North side was the Valide Sultan’s Apartment. The palace features six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam, and one bathroom across two floors.
• KIz Kulesi - The Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) is a prominent feature of the Bosphorus skyline, situated on a small island about 200 meters from Uskudar’s shore. It is the subject of many legends, the most famous involving a sultan and his daughter. An oracle predicted the sultan’s daughter would die from a snake bite on her 18th birthday. To protect her, the sultan built the tower in the Bosphorus, where she lived in secrecy. On her 18th birthday, the sultan gifted her a fruit basket, unaware of a hidden snake. The princess was bitten and died in her father’s arms, fulfilling the prophecy. This legend inspired the tower’s name: Maiden’s Tower.
• Galata Tower - Constructed by the Genoese in 1348, the nine-story Galata Tower stands 66.90 meters tall and was the city’s tallest building at the time. During the Ottoman Era, it served various purposes, including as a fire observatory and jail. Its most notable event occurred in 1632 when Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi flew from the tower across the Bosphorus to Uskudar using self-made wings. A storm in 1875 destroyed its conical roof, which was not restored until the 1960s when the wooden interior was replaced with concrete. Now open to the public, the tower houses a restaurant and cafe on its upper floor. Galata Tower offers a panoramic view of Istanbul and is a key part of the city’s skyline.
• Bosphorus Strait - The Bosphorus, historically known as Bosporus, is a strait and international waterway separating Asia and Europe, connecting the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. It generally runs in a northeast-southwest direction, dividing Istanbul into the European and Anatolian sides.

• Tour with experienced guide
• Snacks provided
• On-board restrooms available

• Alcoholic beverages
• Transfer services
• Entry/admission to Dolmabahçe

Experience the beauty of Ottoman architecture by visiting the Dolmabahçe Palace and delve into the rich history of the region. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore history right where it unfolded. A knowledgeable tour guide will ensure you receive all the information you desire.

Afterward, embark on our sunset cruise aboard an elegant yacht, where you can savor snacks, lemonade, and Turkish tea while taking in the breathtaking views. As you sail past the historic sites along the Bosphorus, our guide will provide insightful commentary. After a busy day in Istanbul, unwind and enjoy the sunset from the best vantage point on the Bosphorus: the Maiden’s Tower. Witness the sunset over the Golden Horn as the Old Town transforms into a stunning silhouette.

• Not recommended for people with vertigo.
• Not recommended for people prone to sea-sickness.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.