Şehir Hatları, the city ferry company, runs two Bosphorus tours from Eminönü: the Short Bosphorus Tour, about 2 hours up to İstinye and back without getting off, and the Long Bosphorus Tour to Anadolu Kavağı near the Black Sea, about 6 hours with a 3-hour stop. From the deck you pass palaces, fortresses and timber waterside mansions on both the European and Asian shores, the trip Rick Steves and Lonely Planet both rank among the city's essentials.
- Address
- Eminönü İskelesi, Hobyar Mahallesi, Fatih
- Hours
- Short tour (about 2 hours) and Long tour (about 6 hours) from Eminönü on a seasonal timetable
- Best time to go
- Afternoon · About 2 h
- Price level
- ₺
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- The full tour includes a break of about 3 hours at Anadolu Kavağı: climb to Yoros Castle above the village for the view over the Black Sea entrance, then catch the return boat.
- Avoid summer weekends and public holidays, when the boats get uncomfortably packed (Lonely Planet).
- Short on time? Any regular commuter ferry, for example Eminönü to Üsküdar or Kadıköy, crosses from Europe to Asia for a normal Istanbulkart fare.