Istanbul boat trip. Bang Bao village on Koh Chang. Bosphorus Tours in Istanbul

If fate or the wind of travel takes you to Istanbul, be sure to set aside one day for a boat trip along the Bosphorus. Fresh air, coolness even on the hottest day, a lot of beauty around, a delicious lunch in a fishing village - it’s definitely worth a try. There are several options for a walk: you can take a speedboat and a personal guide, sail as part of an organized group, or go independently and inexpensively on an excursion boat. We chose the last option and did not regret it at all.

The total duration of the walk is about six hours, we sail for two hours to the village of Anadolu Kavaği on the Black Sea coast, there we walk and have lunch, then return on the same boat.
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Our ship departs from the Eminou pier, which is very close to our hotel and the Galata Bridge. The ship has three decks, we take a place on the top one so that it is cooler and has a better view.
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The journey is long, we arrived early to catch one of the first flights. The restaurants on the Galata Bridge are still empty.
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The ship departs and sails first along the Golden Horn Bay. Turkish flags on the shore can be seen in many places. The Turks are clearly proud of their country.
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Our route passes through almost the entire Bosphorus and ends near the exit to the Black Sea. On the left bank is Europe, on the right is Asia. The length of the strait is about 30 km. The maximum width of the strait is 3700 m in the north, the minimum width is 700 meters (this is the narrowest intercontinental strait). The depth of the strait is from 33 to 80 m.
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What makes Istanbul so beautiful is the combination of old and modern. It looks very colorful, but at the same time organic.
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Previously, palaces for the nobility were built on the banks of the Bosphorus. Architects were invited from Europe, so you can find common features of a walk along the Bosphorus with a walk along the canals and rivers of St. Petersburg.
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In addition to architecture, you can watch passers-by. The ship docks at Istanbul piers several times. Sometimes entire melodramas unfold on the shores.
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Police bus and policeman with a gun. Perhaps there is an important institution somewhere nearby.
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One of the two bridges across the Bosphorus is the one and a half kilometer Ataturk Bridge. The width of the bridge is 33 meters, the height of the supports is 165 meters above the water. From the roadway to the surface of the water - 64 meters.
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More than 200,000 vehicles pass through the bridge every day, carrying about 600,000 passengers. In terms of its length, the bridge is considered the 13th bridge in the world. There is a toll to cross the bridge; pedestrians are not allowed to cross the bridge. However, once a year the bridge opens to pedestrians, this happens in October, when marathon runners run across the bridge.
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Looking back, the Golden Horn and the main attractions that create the profile of Istanbul are left behind. The shadow of the bridge forms a symbolic feature on the sea.
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Meanwhile, there are a lot of interesting things around. For example, the Rumeli Hisary fortress. This is one of two fortresses built opposite each other at a narrow point on the Bosphorus. With the help of either of the two fortresses it was possible to control the passage of ships through the strait.
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The peculiar architecture on the shore does not let the eye get bored.
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A second bridge appeared ahead - the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge, built quite recently, in 1988. The bridge is very similar to its older brother, the same one and a half kilometers, toll and closed to pedestrians.
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A variety of ships are constantly sailing towards you, from small boats to huge giants.
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There are fish in the Bosphorus, seagulls fly above the waves. You can meet dolphins frolicking not far from the ship.
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To get an idea of what we were passing through, we took an advanced audio guide that shows and talks about points of interest along the way, which are tracked by GPS. I even have an idea to write a review of this miracle and publish it on Habré. A very interesting and useful thing.
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Meanwhile, an ancient fortress appeared ahead, this is the end point of our journey.
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But before we landed, something else caught our attention.
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A submarine is sailing along the Bosphorus. I saw submarines several times in Sevastopol, there are two of them - Russian and Ukrainian, but each time I only saw them in a moored state. And here - please, a real working submarine, and even a foreign one and at full speed!
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There are friendly military men sitting in the control room who wave when they see the camera lens. One of the most powerful impressions of the entire walk!
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And we moor at the Anadolu Kavağı pier. Once there was a Greek settlement here, now the main occupation of the residents is fishing and serving tourists in numerous restaurants.
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You can even tell about the direction of restaurants by looking at their cats.
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But before we dine on freshly caught fish overlooking the sea, we go to the ancient fortress. Proud representatives of the feathered family sit on the roofs of village houses.
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Quite far from the sea you can find boats that have fallen into disrepair.
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There is an absolutely gorgeous view of that part of the Bosphorus that connects it with the Black Sea.
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The fortress nearby does not represent anything special except respect for antiquity. There are many such fortresses in Crimea: the Genoese, who controlled the Black Sea coast in the 14th and 15th centuries, left behind many similar structures. Offhand, I remember in Feodosia, Sudak, Balaklava. The entrance to the fortress is closed for security reasons.
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We return to the embankment and find an inexpensive restaurant. As part of the set lunch, they brought a salad, assorted seafood, decent-sized fish and a glass of beer or other drink of your choice. Very tasty and noticeably cheaper than in Istanbul.
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After lunch we board our ship. There is a real feast on the shore.
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Hundreds of tourists from all over the world dine in a dozen restaurants. It is noticeable that tables with sea views are given priority.
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We are leaving the pier. We meet dolphins again.
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A few sketches from life on the shore.
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Smile and wave!
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Tanker Baku. Loading capacity is more than 100 thousand tons.
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37. Another cruise ship. Really want to.

Now we are almost back, we are entering the Golden Horn Bay.
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Some people prefer to explore Istanbul from the Galata Tower, others from a helicopter.
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Passengers of our ship before disembarking.
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We go ashore, a ferry moored nearby.
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Cars drive out in four rows at once.
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We decide that to complete the experience we need to take a swim. You need to go to the beach by train. Entrance is paid, you wear a bracelet on your wrist like in all-inclusive hotels. The water is cool, there are few people, but “for show” we swim.
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There is an airport nearby, you can take pictures of planes and boats. I didn’t take long-focus lenses, so we’ll assume that’s how it was intended.
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Most often, people “walk” along the Bosphorus on the first or second day of rest. Such a walk does not require activity, and this is exactly what a tired, recently arrived tourist needs. On board On the ferry, you can order a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and enjoy all the beauties, sitting in a comfortable chair. Just don't forget to charge your camera!

It is also called the Istanbul Strait. It is a place that connects Europe and Asia, and is an incredibly important route for Turkey and the rest of the world. Since the strait is the only connection between the Black Sea and Marmara, ships arrive around the clock. The strait is narrow and ship collisions often occur. The maximum width is 3700 m, and the minimum is 700 m. In addition to trading ships, you can also see cruise ships, fishing boats, warships. The length of the Bosphorus is 30 km.

How to get to the port

- the place where every tourist who wants to “walk” along the strait should first get to. After all, it’s here the main port is located. The easiest way to get there is from the nearest metro station – Haliç. From there, a train and a bus leave every minute and arrive directly at the square in twenty minutes. If you walk, you can get there in a quarter of an hour.

Immediately at the pier there are bright and unusual boats. These are places where popular metropolitan sandwiches are sold. Just imagine: a fresh, still warm bun, and inside there are crispy vegetables and juicy fried fish. All this is topped with a special sauce and served hot. Definitely worth a try!

Next is the excursion. To choose the one that suits you in terms of price, duration and program, you need to go to the ticket office at the pier. There is a list of options with schedules and prices. Each of the excursions is interesting, so any choice will be successful.

State transport

Such ferries go three times a day. We have only five stops and the final one is A.Kavagi. Further, the strait becomes wider, mixing with the Black Sea. At the final stop, tourists have several hours to walk. There you can wander through the ruins of a 19th-century Genoese castle. After this, tourists often have lunch in a neighboring village, where they cook delicious food. local dishes. After the walk, the ferry departs back with the same stops.

Beginning With last month autumn and until the first month of spring, walks daily only one flight, since there are much fewer tourists at this time of year. Maximum up-to-date information It’s better to check on the official website: sehirhatlari.istanbul

There is nothing unusual on the ship, everything is quite modest: there are many wooden benches and always an open deck so that the beauty can be better seen. On the deck you can buy tea or juice, and they will offer delicious homemade pies. Very colorful!

The walk takes on average about six hours: two hours in one direction, the same in the other and another two hours at the final stop. If the choice falls on this excursion, then it is better to devote the whole day to it. Even if you spend time not on your feet, the road still takes away your strength. The cost of the tour is 25 liras per person, one way – 15 liras.

There is also another short state tour to the Ortakey stop. In this case, the ship sails to the Fatiha Bridge, then returns to the starting point. The price of the excursion is 12 liras, and it is only available from April to October.

Commercial ferries

There are many options for this walk. a bunch of. Each ferry has its own price and schedule. It’s better to check on the spot. The duration of the walk is one and a half hours, and this is more than enough to enjoy the scenery of the capital. The ferry sails along the Asian side and returns in the same way. It only reaches the Fatiha Bridge. Ticket price: 12 liras. Departure frequency – 1 time per hour. This is a big advantage, since with such a schedule it is simply impossible to be late for the excursion.

Private boats

In addition to the above options, you can also rent small boat with private captain. The cost of such an excursion depends on its duration, as well as on the ability to bargain.

The size of the vessel should be taken into account if a large group of people is going on a trip. In this case, it is better to rent two boats at once or take a classic ferry. More people, but all together!

Schedule city ferries can also be viewed at the checkout. The fare is equal to travel on any other public transport in Istanbul. Carried out by Istanbul card or token. It is easier for a tourist to travel with a token, since in most cases only local residents. You can purchase a token at the same ticket office at the port.

The most popular routes are: Eminonu - Kadikoy and Eminonu - Üsküdar. Cruises to the Golden Horn also depart from Eminönü. They are carried out daily and last about two hours.

"Street" excursions

What you can see on your walk

When the ship sails from the pier, every tourist is simply obliged to look back. From this angle, the Suleymaniye Mosque looks even more majestic and beautiful. Further admiration will await the palaces and mosques of the 19th century, the entrance doors of which are turned towards the Bosphorus. This makes the buildings even more magnificent.

Along coastline You will also be able to see a large number of restaurants and wooden summer villas. After Bosphorus suspension bridge - ninth longest in the world. It is especially beautiful at night when it lights up with bright lights. And what photos you can take! After it there will be a second Bosphorus Bridge or as it is also called - Sultan Mehmet Fatih Bridge. At the end of any of the walks the left side will be neat and very compact compared to everything else, Maiden's Tower- another attraction.

Neither tour is particularly informative. This is a real walk, in which you just need to enjoy the views, from time to time being distracted by the camera to take a few gorgeous pictures as a souvenir. This trip is a must do. This is not only relaxation, but also a sea of emotions that will burn for a very long time!

Excursions along the Bosphorus

A tourist, arriving in a particular city, always wants to know as much as possible about this place. But the Bosphorus is a small exception. Here it is better to silently observe everything from the ferry. You can discuss beauty with your loved ones, enjoy it silently, or simply take beautiful photographs.

Treasures of the Bosphorus

This excursion is a small cruise that every traveler should definitely take. This will not only be a classic “look at the landscapes”, but also a walk along the coast, where you can see entire bay areas, ancient fortresses, beautiful yachts, as well as many other interesting things around.

Tour details:

duration – 3.5 hours;
from 1 to 4 people;
cost – 107 euros per tour;
Children allowed.

Additionally, funds will be needed for tickets to a ship, bus, or to the fortress. Also optional for coffee and food. There will be stops along the way where divinely delicious national dishes will be served.

Istanbul, which lives by the sea

The capital of Turkey has a soul and that is the Bosphorus. In the next tour, every tourist will have the opportunity to look at the city through the eyes of Aivazovsky. This is because the excursion includes a visit art gallery Ivan Konstantinovich. It was he who wrote for the Ottoman Sultan, which means he saw the city from the inside.

In addition to paintings, the tour includes an overview of the city from the roof, which will allow you to take unforgettable pictures from the most unexpected angles. Then during the boat trip there will be another opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery colorful Istanbul. For dessert - most interesting lock, whose stories captivate even the little ones.

A little about the tour:

price – 50 euros per excursion;
you can take children;
from 1 to 3 people;
duration – 5 hours.

Additionally, money will be needed to pay for lunch (up to 30 liras), entrance ticket to the museum (up to 20 liras per museum) and a ferry ticket (7 liras per person).

Istanbul without a blanket or how to get lost in the city

The tour is intended for those who are already tired of classic excursions, including the most popular places of this or that city. This tour is for those who want to explore the city on their own in an unexpected setting. The excursion will show you how to get lost in the streets, in history, tastes, traditions, incredible views - and get tremendous pleasure from it!

What does the excursion include:

from 1 to 4 people;
duration – 4 hours;
children allowed;
cost – 82 euros for the entire tour.

Additional costs will only be for the ferry ticket. Everything else in the form of drinks and food is optional.

A walk along the Bosphorus is an excellent holiday idea for a tourist who is already vacationing in Istanbul. There is no need to pre-book tickets or reserve seats. Everything is fast and simple. Tours leave at sea every hour, so there’s no need to rush. Having gone on such a short trip, everyone will definitely return with a lot of emotions and impressions that will create the mood for the entire trip!

Friends, have a wonderful time of day everyone!

Today we finally got to boat trips in Istanbul. After all, being here and not rushing to the sea is all the same? that in three days you can get by bus on the Chernigov-Paris route to the foot of Eiffel Tower and never dare to climb it.

I hope you have already solved all your household problems questions about accommodation in Istanbul (separate article about this), found out how it works transport system from articles and wrote down in a notebook all the sights and a schedule for going around them clockwise from articles. Today we will find out what a tour of the Bosphorus in Istanbul can be like, its price and options for organizing sea activities.

Despite the fact that the question seems serious and requires skill, sleight of hand and basic knowledge, which is gleaned from articles on the Internet and glossy guidebooks, the problem is solved once or twice . At least it’s much easier than opening an aluminum can of Coca-Cola with hands slippery after greasy shawarma.

Let's get started!

Excursion

This is the most expensive alternative, but everything is the same as with people. You will also receive a guide with a Russian, French or Estonian (although this is a controversial issue) accent, tea and coffee and a memorable photo as a gift.

Needless to say, such tours cost a lot and in general, in mega-budget Istanbul, this is a waste. If you are ready to pay $40 or more per person, then this is your option. But they will feed you and give you a belly dance.

Here's a site for information: bosphoruscruise.combut cheaper buy tickets here.

If you are really looking for extravagant excursions, I recommend checking out this one search engine . There are tons of options here from locals on an individual basis. You will definitely find something for yourself.

Firstly, it’s cheaper than the travel agency, and secondly, it’s more sincere and intimate and, moreover, in Russian.

Grand tour with stops

Such tours are organized by the state carrier Sehır Hatlari (Şehir Hatları) and his commercial competitor Dentur Avrasya. Walks are carried out only once a day, as they take about 6 hours.

The first company operates them from the Eminonu pier, and the second from the Kabatas piers, with a subsequent stop in the Besiktas area.

Almost at the entrance to the Black Sea, a stop for 2-3 hours and a return journey is planned.

Such tours cost 25-30 liras each. Read more about them below.

Short walking tours

These are small tours lasting from 1.15 minutes to 1.45 minutes, depending on the company operating them. Here there is really a lot of competition and everyone will try to take you for a ride along the strait.

The cost of such a tour is 10-15 liras, and departure can take place from the following berths:

Eminonu
Kadikoy
Uskudar
Kabatash
Besiktas

Tours are carried out by carriers already known to us Sehır Hatlari And Dentur Avrasya , and the company Turyol . Well, as well as a group of private cab drivers, whose names are difficult to find out.

By the way, this is exactly what we left on, having simply come at the call of the subconscious in the evening to the Eminonu pier. Here stood the nameless longboat, which was one of the last to set off today. Here he is in the photo.

Routes

If you are not a fan of sea walks or you are particularly unlucky with the weather, then you can combine business with pleasure and arrange for yourself such a “bum tour” of the route through the Bosphorus.

Take an ordinary regular ferry departing from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side, and just admire the passing beauty through the window. Of course, you won’t see everything, but, firstly, you will spend a minimum of time, and secondly, you will pay the price of a ticket for public transport 2.60/5.00 lira per person .

Which companies offer Bosphorus tours?

There are 3 main players on the maritime exchange:

Sehır Hatları
Dentur Avrasya
Turyol

If you agree to a small tour, then, I think, this is the 3rd company for you fits better Total:

firstly, it is ubiquitous and its ferries can be found at almost any pier,
secondly, its small and nimble ships pass closest to the coast so that you can see the coastal beauty.

There is no musical and entertainment accompaniment on such ferries, but the state company Sehır Hatları available audio guide for 20 liras , which will explain popularly in the language you need what is behind the stern.

The first 2 companies, as I said, conduct both large and small tours. Here we will dwell on them in a little more detail.

Sehır Hatları company: tours, routes and their costs

This state-owned company with the largest ferry of its competitors has only 2 sailings per day (a 3rd one is added from May to August):

Full Bosphorus Tour (Nostalgic Bosphorus Cruise) – big tour of Istanbul for 6 hours
Short Circle Cruise – short tour of 2 hours
Sunset Cruise - an evening cruise along the same route as the big tour, but at sunset (it seems like it was cancelled).

A useful bonus in terms of choosing this particular company is that you, as the owner Museum Pass Istanbul, which after reading you simply have to buy, gives you the right discounts 25% from the ticket price. The discount does not apply to other companies.

Despite the fact that this information is not available on the website, we have the latest news from the fields. Discounts on boat trips using the card are no longer given!

Great Bosphorus Tour

A 6-hour tour of Istanbul starts from the Eminonu pier, with short stops along the way at the Besiktas and Uskudar piers, and then proceeds almost to the exit from the Bosphorus to the Black Sea.

This is truly a grand tour for those who have free time in Istanbul and who wants to explore in detail the entire Bosphorus and its coastal attractions.

The downside is that it is now held only in the summer.

Route map :

Departure at 10.35 from Eminonu pier
Arrival at the final Andola Kawagi at 12:25
Departure from Andolu Kawagi at 15:00
Arrival back to Eminonu at 16:40

On the way back, you can also disembark at the Besiktas or Uskudar piers, if this is more convenient for you.

During a 2.5-hour stop, tourists are invited to go up to Yoros Fortress (not a banal walk in the fresh air, but a good workout) to examine the surviving towers and very suspicious surroundings, and have a hearty lunch in coastal restaurants with seafood cuisine that is more sane than in Istanbul itself. prices.

The cost of such a tour :

25 liras for adults
12.5 liras for children 6-12 years old
Free for children under 6 years old
15 lira one way trip

Short tour

There is also no particular choice here, since the ferry departs exactly at 14:30 and makes passing short-term stops at the Uskudar piers and at the first Bosphorus Bridge at the Ortakoy pier. Return at 16:30 with the same stops.

The route is designed to reach the second Bosphorus Bridge. In that direction you walk along the European part of Istanbul and can see from the sea the Galata district, Dolmbahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque and Rumeli Hisary fortress.

On the way back, you will walk along the Asian coast and get a closer look at the Anadolu Fortress, Beylerbey Palace, the Maiden Tower and the magnificent private residences of wealthy Turks.

Short tour cost :

12 liras for adults
6 liras for children 6-12 years old
Free for children under 6 years old

Evening cruise

This is a kind of addition to the daily program. Departure at 17:30 with the same stop for fish restaurants in Andolu Kawagi for a couple of hours, as in the case Grand Tour and return back to Istanbul will take place after 00:00.

You should inquire separately for this tour. Despite the fact that it is listed on the site, there have been rumors that it has already been cancelled!

tour cost for both children and adults 20 liras and discounts do not apply.

The ferries of this company are large, so there won’t be any problems with accommodation. They sell tea, coffee and various small snacks on board, but you can take all this with you, since the prices here are still higher.

The berth of this company is easy to find at the Eminonu pier by its characteristic yellow emblem. It is located two steps from the exit from the underground passage. As we exited immediately to the left, as in this photo.

Official site : en.sehirhatlari.istanbul

Dentur Avrasya company: tours, routes, cost

A fairly popular private company, which is based at the Kabatas and Besiktas piers, on the opposite bank from the Eminonu pier in the area of Dolmbahce Palace.

Their prices are a little more expensive, but the ships are smaller and faster. In addition to the large and small tour, similar to the previous company, it also carries out two interesting project This is a hop-on-hop-off tour of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

Grand Tour

The ships of this company depart from the Kabatash pier towards the exit from the Black Sea, followed by a stop for lunch and return back.

Tour schedule:

11:15 – departure from Kabatash pier
11:30 – stop at the Besiktas pier
12:45 – 3-hour stay at the Anadolu Kavagi pier
15:30 – return start
16:30 – Besiktas stop
16:45 – final station Kabatash

tour cost 20 liras

Short tour

It follows a similar route to other companies, but without calling at the Uskudar pier and therefore without a view of the Maiden Tower. Therefore, the tour time is 20 minutes shorter than that of other companies.

Departure at 10:30 from Kabatas pier followed by a stop at Besiktas pier

tour cost 15 lire

Tour of the Golden Horn Bay with stops

A very interesting option to spend a day on the water in Istanbul with several stops along the way.

The company's boats depart 3 times a day at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 and make 3 stops in the bay itself to visit the famous hill with a cable car and a view cafe Pierre Loti, go on a tour of the miniature museum Miniature and visit the industrial Rahmi Koch Museum .

There are only 3 ships per day, so it is logical to assume that if the maximum per day you can go ashore at intermediate stations 2 times. The first stop is on the 1st boat, the second stop is on the 2nd boat, and on the third you will need to go back or go ashore for the 3rd time and get to your location on your own.

tour cost 15 lire

Bosphorus Strait Tour with Stops

A wonderful option to see Istanbul from the water, and also make a note at each stop with a visit to a palace or fortress. The same program that you will see during a short tour of the Bosphorus without stops will now be available to you with stops and disembarkation.

The movement of boats begins from the Kabatash pier at 11:45 and during the day they manage to make 8 trips until 8 pm.

I think this is a great offer - don't miss it!

tour cost 15 lire

More detailed information you can find out at official website companies: denturavrasya.com.

Turyol company tours, routes, cost

This company only offers short tours, but according to reviews, it is the one that goes closest to the shore, if this is important to you. And they pass every hour, unlike other companies.

Tours start immediately from 3 berths: Eminonu, Kadikoy and Uskudar.

The cost of the tour is 15 liras (12 liras from the Uskudar pier). For the schedule, see the photo and official website : turyol.com

Friends, I hope now you have enough information at hand to make an informed choice. excursion walk on the waters of the Bosphorus. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to voice them in the comments field.

Subscribe to updates , add yourself as a friend on social networks and come to the cinema You Tube to watch our videos. There is still a lot of interesting things ahead.

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And at the end, a short video about our evening walk along the Bosphorus:

Have a bright and memorable trip!

One of the popular tourist activities in Istanbul is a walk along the Bosphorus. The walk is offered by both travel agencies and private owners who catch tourists from the crowd near the Galata Bridge. If you start talking to one of these comrades, he will run after you for a very long time. :)
Trips of various durations are offered - for 2-4 hours, for the whole day, with access to the sea and just along the strait. We chose the shortest route, and I’ll tell you about it now.

First, let's look at what the Bosphorus Strait is and why it is so remarkable. The Bosphorus is a strait between Europe and Asia Minor, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The length of the strait is about 30 km. The maximum width of the strait is 3700 m in the north, the minimum width is 700 meters.

The Bosphorus separates the European and Asian parts of Turkey. The banks of the strait are connected by two bridges: the 1074-meter-long Bosphorus Bridge (completed in 1973) and the 1090-meter-long Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge (built in 1988) 5 km north of the first bridge.
The map showed our route.

All routes start from the Galata Bridge and end there.

There is a great view from the water. This is a slightly different Istanbul, not the touristy one we are used to in the pictures.

Along the entire Bosphorus Strait there are interesting houses right on the shore. All are different, but made in a similar architectural style.

No one is hiding behind a huge fence.

Many people have yachts or boats parked near their houses.

Anyone familiar with these places can tell you what kind of houses they are. Are these all private properties?

Multi-colored playgrounds, like in Moscow. Interestingly, in Istanbul they are also scolded by all and sundry. :)

Apparently townhouses. :)

There are various palaces.

Below is the Küçüksu Kasrı Palace. In 1944, the palace was turned into a museum, which still attracts a lot of attention from visitors and tourists with its excellent carvings, carpets, crystal chandeliers and fireplaces.

There are a lot of old mosques.

In the middle of the Bosphorus, on an island, stands one of the main attractions of Istanbul, Kız Kulesi - the Maiden Tower. The tower is one of the symbols of the city. Depicted, in particular, on Aivazovsky’s canvas “View of the Leander Tower in Constantinople” (1848). Today it serves as a lighthouse.
There are many legends about the construction of the tower and its location. The most famous Turkish legend says: The Turkish Sultan was madly in love with his daughter. One day a clairvoyant prophesied that his daughter would die when she turned 18. The Sultan gave the order that the tower be built until his daughter turned 18 years old. After the tower was built, the Sultan ordered his daughter to be transferred to the tower to protect her from possible death. When the Sultan's daughter turned 18, the Sultan gave her a pot of fruit. When the birthday girl opened the pot, the fruit contained a poisonous snake, which bit the girl, as a result of which she died, as predicted. According to another legend, the girl remained alive; the prince saved her by sucking out the snake’s venom. Hence the name - Maiden Tower.

This is where our trip ended. We arrived at the Galata Bridge - the starting point of our route.

Bosphorus Tour this is one of the most exciting sea cruises in the Stambul. Perhaps, the best place To start the Bosphorus tour (cruise) this is Eminonu Square. Most tourists visiting the ancient metropolis Istanbul, buy a Bosphorus tour right here, where the berths of at least three private companies that have received state accreditation to operate tours are located.

My deep conviction is that spending six hours of a tourist’s precious time on a long Bosphorus cruise is absolutely pointless, especially since you will spend two hours in the relatively cheap fish restaurants of Anadolu Kawagi. Therefore, we unanimously chose the “Kysa Bogaz Tour” or a short tour (cruise) along the Bosphorus. For your convenience, we provide a map with the route of the ship (see photo below, center).

Our large ship left the pier at 14:30 and made a short stop at the port of Yuskudar. The rest of the short tour along the Bosphorus, we slowly sailed along the right and left banks of the Bosphorus, approximately at a distance of 300 - 500 meters from the shore. Of course, as part of a cruise or a long or short tour of the Bosphorus, you should not count on the presence of a guide, especially a Russian-speaking one. Just sit, look at the area with both eyes and photograph interesting buildings and structures. However, our company, the carrier "Şehir Hatları", offers electronic guides in Russian.

The cost of this service is quite reasonable, although the deposit in the form of a foreign passport is a little worrying. I must admit that with such an electronic gadget excursion along the Bosphorus immediately becomes more meaningful and meaningful.

TOP 10 long and short cruises on the Bosphorus

During a short tour of the Bosphorus, tourists will be able to visually familiarize themselves with a large number of different structures and buildings, but there are famous historical sites that must be examined and photographs taken as a souvenir:

Discussion: Bosphorus Tour

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