Bosphorus Cruise Tour & Dolmabahce Palace – Full Day Tour with a Small Group

Istanbul is the only city that connects Europe and Asia, and we offer you the chance to walk in two continents in same day by covering the Spice Market and Camlica Hill. At the same tour you will also visit the Modern Palace of Ottoman Sultans from 19th Century and have an amazing experience in the Bosphorus Cruise Tour. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and assist to meet with your tour guide between 07:45- 08:30 according to your hotel location.

The Description of the tour of Bosphorus Cruise Tour & Dolmabahce Palace

Itinerary

Spice Market
The Spice Market hosts 88 shops, all under the same dome. This market, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar is a place that will make all your senses happy. You will feel alive while smelling the spices and herbs, tasting delicacies, seeing the vivid colors and hearing the sounds of the crowd.

Rustem Pasha Mosque
A wonderful Mosque, mostly known for its beautiful interior, decorated by the amazing Iznik tiles. This masterpiece was designed by famous Mimar Sinan but it was built after Rustem Pasha’s death, in 1563. Rustem Pasha was not only the Grand Vizier during the reign of Sultan Suleiman, but also the husband of Suleiman’s beloved daughter, Mihrimah.

Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Istanbul is the world’s only city situated on two continents. The Bosphorus straight separates Asia and Europe, and we give you the possibility of traveling between both continents and discovering this beautiful city by the sea.

Rumeli Fortress (from sea)
An imposing fortress, located on a hill at the European side right on the banks of Bosphorus at the Sariyer district. Built in 1452 before the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, in order to control commercial and military traffic. Inside the walls there are three big towers that were named after the three viziers of Mehmet: Sadrazam Candarli Halil Pasha (larger tower), Zaganos Pasha (south tower), Sarica Pasha (north tower)

Ortakoy (non stop)
This lovely area, is located right under the first bridge of Bosphorus, close to Dolmabahce Palace at the Besiktas district. Lying right on the banks of Bosphorus provides amazing views of the city! A former fishermen village full of well preserved historic wooden houses, local boutiques, night clubs, cafes and restaurants. During the Ottoman period, Ortakoy used to be a cosmopolitan area, where Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews lived all together. This small place is also known for the Kumpir, a tasty baked potato, served with several fillings.

Bosphorus Bridge
Overshadowing Istanbul’s traditional architecture is one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, the Bosphorus Bridge, linking Europe and Asia.

Camlica Hill
The highest peak in the Istanbul district is the 288m Camlica Hill. It has a great view that embraces the mouth of the Bosphorus, old Istanbul, Galata, Beyoglu and lets you understand the magnificence and beauty of the city.

Lunch
By this time we will have lunch in a cosy and local restaurant.

Dolmabahce Palace (Closed on Mondays and Thursdays & replaced with Galata Tower)
Built in the 19th century this is one of the most dazzling palaces in the world. After 1856, it was turned into the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire until the last Ottoman Sultan lived here. The palace has three parts: the Imperial Mabeyn (State Apartments), Muayede Salon (Ceremonial Hall) and the Imperial Harem.

• At the end of tour, participants will be dropped off to their hotels. Please inform your tour guide if you prefer to return by yourself or to spend more time at wherever you are.