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 shores of the Bosphorus Strait

The 32 km long natural waterway of the Bosphorus in Turkey connects the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Marmara and - extending via the Dardanelles - with the Aegean and Mediterranean. It is one of the most important waterways in the world and has centuries, if not millennia, of maritime history behind it.

A variety of Bosphorus cruises are available, including short 30-minute cruises, half-day, full-day and hop-on hop-off services. There are even private yacht cruises if you have the money!

We took a two hour non-stop cruise from the Golden Horn to the Bosphorus Bridge and back. Here's the best we saw.

1. Topkapi Palace

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The nearly 400-year-old home of the Ottoman Sultans, along with the famous minarets of the Blue Mosque and Ayasofya, are a defining feature of Istanbul's skyline. From a Bosphorus cruise ship, the domes of Topkapı's harem can be clearly seen above the palace walls.

2. Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi)

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In 1110, Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus built the first tower on this tiny island, albeit a modest wooden tower protected by a stone wall. The current stone tower has served as a lighthouse since 1721 and now 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 are perhaps best known for Florence Nightingale, who worked there alongside 37 volunteer nurses during the Crimean War (1854-1856).

The barracks were allocated to the British Army and converted into a makeshift military hospital.

4. Dolmabahce Palace

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

Its location on the European shore of the Bosphorus means that visitors on a Bosphorus cruise can see the palace's 500-meter-long waterfront facade in all its glory.

5. Cirağan 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 history since its construction in 1867.

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

6. Kabataş Erkek Lisesi

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One of the oldest and best-known high schools in Turkey, Kabataş High School has educated many Turkish politicians over the years along with notable writers, poets and musicians.

Essentially it is the Turkish equivalent of Eton College in the UK, but unlike Eton, Kabataş has also admitted girls since 1994.

7. Ortaköy Village

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

The village has a long history of cosmopolitanism, dating back to the Ottoman period, when migrant communities of Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews lived side by side.

8.Mecidiye Mosque

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Located next to the village of Ortaköy, the beautiful and ornate Ottoman Baroque-style mosque is perhaps the most striking waterfront landmark you'll see on a Bosphorus cruise.

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

9. Beylerbeyi Palace

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Another palace that might catch your eye is the “small” Istanbul Summer Palace overlooking the Bosphorus from the Asian coast. Its two bathing pavilions, one for the harem (women) and the other for the selamlik (men), are clearly visible from the Bosphorus.

10. Galatasaray University

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Opened as a secular university in 1992, this impressive building was originally the Feriye Palace, a coastal summer palace on the Bosphorus built in 1871 for Sultan Abdülaziz.

Courses at the university are taught in three languages ​​(Turkish, English and French) and the institution is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and notable universities in Turkey.

11. Bosphorus Bridge

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Since the Persian Emperor Darius in 490 BC. The rulers of Istanbul dreamed of a bridge between the continents of Europe and Asia.

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

BOSPHORUS CRUISE: THE ESSENTIALS

What: Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul, Turkey.

Where: We stayed at the Sirkeci Mansion Hotel in the Old City of Istanbul and absolutely loved this gem of a hotel. It's located on a picturesque street that offers both an oasis of calm away from the crowds and proximity to the city's biggest attractions. The Blue Mosque and Ayasofya are just a 10 minute walk away!

When: The best time to visit Istanbul is spring (March to mid-June), when the weather is temperate and the days are long. Note that it may rain for a day or two, especially in April. We visited in late May and had a day washout.

However, the other days were wonderful. Autumn (September-October) is the second best time to travel. Summer is hot and crowded while winter can be cold and rainy.

How: There are several ferry companies offering Bosphorus cruises from the busy and well-connected Eminönü ferry ports. The docks are located on the south side of the Golden Horn at the southern end of the Galata Bridge.

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

Prices start from 10 TL (3.5 USD) for the short Bosphorus cruises and up to 38 TL (12.5 USD) for the full-day cruises.

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

Dentur Avrasya (hop-on/hop-off and full-day cruises)TurYol (90-minute short cruises)Şehir Hatları Ferryboats (2-hour short cruises)Boğaziçi YolTur (full-day cruises)EMTUR (half- and full-day cruises)

The docks can be easily reached within a short walk from Sirkeci Mansion Hotel. If you live further away, you can use Istanbul's reliable metro system to get around. Taxis are readily available, but we preferred to use the far cheaper subway.

Istanbul has connections to several international airports. Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

Note: Due to recent unrest in Turkey, please read the FCO travel advice before your visit.

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Lonely Planet Turkey is a comprehensive guide to Turkey, ideal for those who want to both explore the main attractions and take the road less traveled.
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