Cruise the Bosphorus Strait on board the public ferry. It only costs 25TL for a roundtrip ticket. You will see beautiful scenery, homes, and villages. At the last stop ( Anadolu Kavagi) get off and enjoy a marvelous lunch in one of the local restaurants on the water. This is a great break from the usual sightseeing in Istanbul.

My wife and I took two Bosphorus cruises: the 90 minute cruise on Turyol (recommended by our hotel) and the full cruise on IDO departing at 10:35 and returning by 16:25. In both cases we were on boats without an open deck. Yes, there were seats (already taken by early birds) around the outside of the ship, and there was... More

I recommend not to miss a trip on the Bosphorus while visiting Istanbul. You should be aware that the best options to do this trip is using the official ferry companies - IDO and Sehir Hatlari have excellent Bosphorus cruises at reasonable prices.

Did a day trip on a boat up the Bosphorus to a little fishing village. Many more wooden houses and inlets than I expected, not unlike Bergen and Stavanger in Norway. Some very expensive real estate on the water's edge and boats in the water! Full day tour took in the Dolmabahçe Palace, lunch on in the Golden Horn (very... More

The Bosphorus is spectacular during a day time boat ride but is especially awe inspiring to see both the European side and the Asian side lit up on a boat trip at night.

Take a bosphorus cruise which costs 10 turkish lira which takes about 2 hours. Several private cruises from Eminonu are available. It is also a great experience to look at the Bosphorus from the Asia side while sipping Turkish tea at the open air cafes in Uskudar.

This is a historic waterway that connects strategic areas of the globe and with the right guide and commentary it can come alive. From Sultan summer homes, to historic fishing villages, 'new' bridges, tankers and freighter, this waterway has it all. When we were on the water, we were even passed by a submarine (yes a working military one) which... More

The people on the ferry ride were amusing without realising it. The sky was hazy, making it impossible to take photos when we drank at a cafe ovelooking it all, behind the Topkapi Palace.

The longer cruise lasts about six hours but there is plenty of time to enjoy an excellent lunch in one of the harbourside restaurants at the northern end of the Bosphorus. If you still have energy after that, climb up to the Roman fort for an outstanding view