Bosphorous Cruise

Bosphorus Cruise is a must-see tour for the Istanbul visitors because it is a wonderful opportunity to observe the both sides of Istanbul. There are municipal ferries which operate daily three times from Eminonu, port number 3. The first ferry is at 10:35 am, the second one is at 12:00 am and the last one is at 1:35 pm. The ferry is a traditional one, which has seats inside and outside the interior. After the ferry departs, it first makes a stop in Besiktas, which is the downtown of the city. The Dolmabahce Palace could be seen here.

Later, you see the beautiful houses along the European Side, the Ciragan Palace Hotel and manyBosphorus other lovely buildings from 19th and early 20th C. On the way, the ferry passes by the huge European Fortress which was constructed by Sultan Mehmed II in 1452 before he conquered Istanbul. Then the ferry moves to the Asian Side and you see the old restored Turkish Houses(Yali) which are just on the waterfront. In Bosphorus, there is no low-hide tide, so the houses can be so near to the sea level.

Then the ferry passes through "Kanlica", a lovely village which is famous for its yoghurt. And it passes to "Yenikoy "on the European Side and makes another stop. Then the ferry goes back to Asian Side and then comes back to Europe, to a fishing village called "Sariyer". If one likes, he/she may leave the ferry and come back to city after having a walk in Sariyer or if one wants to enjoy it all day long, he/she can stay till the ferry comes to Anadolukavagi. It is a great place to have fish, fresh vegetables, fruits and raki, traditional Turkish drink. After staying there for two hours, the ferry comes back to Eminonu, where one gets on the ferry.

A shorter ride is the one from Eminönü to Üsküdar. When you alight in Üsküdar, you could have a delicious feed at Kanaat Lokantası, or turn right and walk around the coast to the çay bahçesis (tea gardens) near the Şemsi Paşa Camii (Şemsi Paşa Mosque). After a tea or two, continue on the popular waterside promenade past the famous Kız Kulesı (Maiden's Tower) - a gorgeous walk on a summer's evening.