Istanbul Bosphorus & Two Continents Cruise with Dolmabahçe Palace - Full Day Tour
Enjoy this special Bosphorus Tour on the bus and on a private boat. Discover the magic of Istanbul and its hidden treasures between Europe and Asia. This is a full day tour and combines our "Istanbul and Bosphorus cruise on private boat - Half Day Morning Tour" and "Istanbul Dolmabahaçe Palace & Two Continents - Half Day Afternoon Tour".
The tour starts at the Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and 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. Afterwards you'll 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 km long Byzantine City Walls, strongest fortification of the middle age. Enrich your senses at the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), where mystical smells of different aromas of various spices will caress your senses. Take a lot at the many shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and a lot more.
After visiting these wonderful sites in Instanbul you'll join a Bosphorus Cruise on a private boat. You'll ride 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.
You'll also enjoy a view of Rumeli Fortress from the boat, historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. If there's enough time the tour will bring you to a visit a leather showroom.
At this point it's time to have a little break and you'll taste a special lunch at turkish restaurant before moving on to the second part of the tour.
Your first unforgettable stop will be at the Dolmabahçe Palace, located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait. It is the 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. You'll discover a lot more about turkish history visiting this enchanting palace.
Don't miss the oppotunity to take a look at the Bosphorus Bridge, a unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.
The tour will end at Çamlıca Hill, famous for its beautiful sunset and the widest bird’s eye panoramic view of İstanbul from Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, and will give you a unique chance to see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from one of the highest and most appealing places of the city.
This tour ends approximately at 5 pm.