Bosphorus Cruise + Dolmabahçe Palace & Two Continents Tour (from Europe to Asia)

Highlights

• Explore Spice Bazaar (Egyptian markets)
• 1.5-hour Istanbul Bosphorus cruise
• Cruise from Rumeli Hisarı Fortress along the famous Bosphorus Strait
• Visit the Dolmabahce Palace and its marvellous Ottoman and Byzantine architecture
• Driving on the Bosphorus Bridge between Two continents
• Best view of Bosphorus top of the Camlica Hill

Departure

We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 08:00 – 08:30

(Only from Sultanahmet, Laleli, Taksim areas)

Itinerary

During the journey, you will be visiting;

• • • Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age.
    • Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc.
    • Bosphorus Cruise on private boat, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments
    • Rumeli Fortress (from the boat no interior visit), historical armament built by Mehmed the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. (Visit to a leather showroom if time permits)

Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.

• • • Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
    • Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.
    • Çamlıca Hill which is famous for its widest bird’s eye panoramic view of Istanbul from Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, gives a chance to see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from one of the best point of the highest and most appealing places of the city.

Also visioned during the tour;

The Imperial Gardens of Royal Yildiz Palace – Beylerbeyi Palace from the boat.

Note : Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Monday and instead replaced with Eyüp – Pierre Loti Coffee House – Miniatürk 

This tour ends approximately at 17:00