Bosphorus cruise: What you shouldn't miss

Bosphorus cruise: What you shouldn't miss

A Bosphorus cruise offers the best way to see Istanbul's epic architecture along the European and Asian banks of the Bosphorus-Sendergen

The 32 km long natural waterway of the Bosphorus in Turkey connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea and - in extra time over the Dardanelles - with the Aegean and the Mediterranean. It is one of the most important waterways in the world and has had centuries, if not millennia in seafaring history.

Various Bosphorus cruises are available, including short 30-minute cruises, half-day, all-day and hop-on-hop-off services. There are even private yacht cruises when you have the money!

We made a two-hour continuous cruise from the golden horn to the Bosphorus bridge and back. Here is the best we have seen.

1. Topkapi-Palast

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The almost 400 -year -old home of the Ottoman sultaneous home, together with the famous minarets of the Blue Mosque and Ayasofya, are a determining feature of the Istanbul skyline. From a Bosphorus cruise ship, the domes from Topkapı's Harem can be seen clearly above the walls of the palace.

2. Leander tower (Kız Kulesi)

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In 1110, the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus built the first tower on this tiny island, if only a modest wooden tower that was protected by a stone wall. Today's stone tower has been serving as a lighthouse since 1721 and today houses a café.

3. Selimiye barracks

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Sultan Selim III. built the large army barracks in 1800 for the soldiers of the newly founded Nizam -ı Cedid ("New Order"). The barracks may be best known for Florence Nightingale, who worked there together with 37 voluntary nurses during the Crimean War (1854-1856).

The barracks were assigned to the British army and converted into a provisional hospital.

4. Dolmabahçe-Palast

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Dolmabahçe, the greatest of the Ottoman imperial palaces, shows the best of the Ottoman decadence of the 19th century and is everything a palace should be.

Its location on the European bank of the Bosphorus means that visitors to a Bosphorus cruise can see the 500-meter-long bank facade of the palace in all its splendor.

5. Çirağan Palace

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The former Ottoman palace is now a five-star hotel and probably the most luxurious hotel in the city. The palace has had a fascinating story since its construction in 1867.

It was briefly used by parliament before it was destroyed by a fire in 1910, and then served as a football stadium for Beşiktaş before it was finally renovated in 1989 and 2007.

6. Kabataş Recek Lisesi

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One of the oldest and best -known high schools in Turkeyhat The Kabataş High School over the years many Turkish politicians together with remarkable writers, poets and musicians trained.

In essence, it is the Turkish equivalent to the Eton College in Great Britain, but unlike Eton, girls have also been recorded in Kabataş since 1994.

7. Village Ortaköy

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Istanbul's coolest district is Ortaköy, which means "village in the middle". Its café culture and improvised street markets shape the chic art boutique district.

The village has a long history of cosmopolitanism, which goes back to the Ottoman period, lived next to each other as migrant communities of Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews.

8.Mecidiye mosque

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The beautiful and richly decorated mosque in the Ottoman baroque style lies next to the village of Ortaköy and is perhaps the most striking landmark on the water that you will see on a Bosphorus cruise.

The mosque is small compared to the other famous mosques of the city. However, its location on the water next to the promenades of Ortaköy makes it one of the most striking.

9. Beylerbeyi-Palast

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Another palace that could draw her eyes on himself is the "little" Istanbul summer palace with a view of the Bosphorus from the Asian coast. His two bathing pavilions, one for the Harem (women) and the other for the Selamlik (men), are easy to see from the Bosphorus.

10. Galatasaray university

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This impressive building was opened in 1992 as a secular university and was originally the Feriye Palace, a summer palace on the coast on the Bosphorus, which was built for Sultan Abdülaziz in 1871.

The courses at the university are taught in three languages ​​(Turkish, English and French) and the institution is largely considered one of the most renowned and remarkable universities in Turkey.

11. Bosporus bridge

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Since the Persian emperor Darius 490 BC. BC built its boat bridge over the Bosphorus, the rulers of Istanbul dreamed of a bridge between the continents of Europe and Asia.

In 1973, on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic, this bridge was finally opened. Today it is one of two suspension bridges that span the Bosphorus, the other is the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in the north.

Bosphorus cruise: the essentials

What: Bosporus cruise in Istanbul, Turkey.

Where: We stayed in the Sirkeci Mansion Hotel in the old town of Istanbul and were absolutely enthusiastic about this jewel from a hotel. It is located in a picturesque street that offers both an oasis of calm away from the masses and the closeness to the largest sights in the city. The blue mosque and Ayasofya are only 10 minutes' walk away!

When: The best time to travel for Istanbul is spring (March to mid -June) when the weather is moderate and the days are over. Note that it can rain a day or two, especially in April. We visited at the end of May and had a day washing out.

However, the other days were wonderful. Autumn (Sept. Okt.) Is the second best travel time. Summer is hot and overcrowded, while winter can be cold and rainy.

Like: There are several ferry companies that offer Bosphorus cruises from the busy and well-connected Eminönü ferry. The docks are located on the south side of the golden horn at the southern end of the gala bridge.

Tickets for Bosphorus cruises can be brought with you until departure, but it can get very crowded in the high season, so it is worth booking in advance if possible.

The prices start at 10 teaspoons (3.5 USD) for the short Bosphorus cruises and up to 38 teaspoons (12.5 USD) for all-day cruises.

There are a number of companies that offer cruises on various boats. The following are the most popular and best rated:

Dentur avrasya (hop-on/hop-off and all-day cruises) Turyol (90-minute short cruises) Şehir Hatları Ferryboats (2-hour short cross rides) Boğaziçi Yoltur (all-day cruises) Emtur (half and all-day crossings)

You can easily reach the docks after a short walk from Sirkeci Mansion Hotel. If you live further away, you can use Istanbul's reliable subway system to move away. Taxis are slightly available, but we preferred to use the much cheaper subway.

Istanbul has connections to several international airports. Book through Skyscanner at the best prices.

Note: Due to the recent unrest in Turkey reading, the FCO travel instructions before your visit.

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