Bosphorus
The 31-kilometre strait between Europe and Asia that runs through the middle of Istanbul — lined with palaces, fortresses and wooden yalı mansions, crossed by three bridges and two tunnels, and best seen from a boat.
The Bosphorus links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separates Istanbul's European and Asian sides. It is 31 km long and only 700 metres wide at Rumeli Hisarı, where Mehmed II built his fortress in 1452 to strangle Constantinople. Today 150 ships a day pass through, ferries criss-cross it every few minutes, and its shores hold the city's most expensive real estate — the 19th-century yalı mansions.
Seeing it from the water
- Public ferry (Şehir Hatları): the Full Bosphorus Tour from Eminönü sails to Anadolu Kavağı near the Black Sea and back in about six hours with a stop; the Short Tour does two hours. Istanbulkart accepted; the best-value cruise in the city.
- Commuter ferries: Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy or Üsküdar for the price of a bus ride — 20 minutes of the same view.
- Private yacht: two to three hours at sunset with a captain, past Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy Mosque, the bridges, Rumeli Hisarı and back — the DXB.IST default for couples and families.
- Dinner cruises: large boats with a show; fine for groups, poor for the view.
What you pass
From south to north on the European side: Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque under the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, Arnavutköy's yalıs, Bebek, and the towers of Rumeli Hisarı. On the Asian side: Maiden's Tower off Üsküdar, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kandilli and Anadolu Hisarı. Sunset light hits the European shore; morning light the Asian one.
Frequently asked questions
The public ferry tour costs a few dollars with Istanbulkart; private yachts run from roughly USD 300–500 for two to three hours for the whole boat; dinner cruises are priced per person with the meal.
