Blue Mosque Guided Tour with Bosphorus Cruise & Audio Guide Options
+5
About this tour
This Istanbul combo pairs a licensed, English-speaking guide for a one-hour walk through the Blue Mosque and the Old City with a 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise past Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions, and old fortresses. Depending on the option you pick, you can add skip-the-line entry and guided tours of Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, plus a cruise audio guide in ten languages. You'll get an Old Town map to keep, and the boat sails the strait that splits Europe and Asia.
Audio Guide Languages
Turkish
English
German
Spanish
French
Italian
Russian
Arabic
Chinese
Highlights
- See Istanbul's landmarks from the water on the Bosphorus
- Sail the strait dividing Europe and Asia
- Relaxed cruise with optional multilingual audio guide
- Cruise past Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions, and old fortresses
- Photograph the Istanbul skyline from the deck
- Choose a sightseeing cruise, dinner cruise with entertainment, or private yacht
Included / Excluded
- One-hour guided tour inside the Blue Mosque
- Blue Mosque entry
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Walking tour of the Old City
- Istanbul Old Town map
- 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise ticket (per selected option)
- Downloadable cruise audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese (per selected option); download instructions sent with your ticket, bring your own headphones
- Bosphorus cruise map (per selected option)
- 1.5-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (per selected option)
- Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia (per selected option)
- 30-minute guided tour of the Basilica Cistern (per selected option)
- Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern (per selected option)
Bosphorus Cruise: Sailing Times and What to Wear
Sailing times depend on the cruise type and the season. Classic sightseeing cruises run through the day, roughly 09:00 to 23:00, and brunch cruises usually leave around 10:00. Sunset and early-evening sailings go out between 17:00 and 18:00 in summer and a bit earlier in winter. Dinner cruises, which combine nighttime views of the Bosphorus with a meal and onboard entertainment, generally start between 19:30 and 20:30. Since each operator sets its own schedule, confirm your exact departure time when you book.
There's no dress code for the cruise itself, so casual, comfortable clothes work fine for daytime sailings, while smart-casual is the way to go on a dinner cruise. Whatever you wear, pack layers. It's cooler and windier out on the water than on land, and you'll want to adjust as the temperature shifts over the course of the trip.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 10:00, 11:00, 14:00
- Tuesday : 10:00, 11:00
- Wednesday : 10:00, 11:00, 14:00
- Thursday : 10:00, 11:00, 14:00
- Friday : 14:00
- Saturday : 10:00, 11:00, 14:00
- Sunday : 10:00, 11:00, 14:00
Important Information
- Timing and inclusions differ by cruise type; pick a sightseeing cruise, dinner cruise with entertainment, or private yacht
- Cruises depart from central piers like Eminönü, Kabataş, or Karaköy; confirm your exact pier in advance, as it varies by cruise and operator
- Arrive early for smooth boarding, especially in peak season
- Check the forecast; the water runs cooler and windier than shore
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for daytime; a light jacket for evening sailings
- Take seasickness medication beforehand if you're prone to it
- Snacks and drinks are often sold on board, though this varies by operator
- Follow crew instructions and onboard safety rules
- Arrive 20 minutes before departure; 30 minutes for dinner cruises or private yachts
- Mobile voucher or printed ticket accepted for boarding; bring photo ID
- Smoking only in designated areas where available
- Alcohol and large luggage are generally not permitted on board
- Don't litter or throw anything into the water
- Sit back and enjoy the ride