Meeting at your hotel
Private guide in your language
Museum tickets
20% VAT Tax
Lunch and transportation
A Day On The Bosphorus
The Bosphorus offers a kind of beauty that one can never get bored of, that never fails to surprise you. This strait bisects Istanbul right in the middle: to the west of it lies Europe, and to its east is Asia. It is also one of the city’s major highways, with more than 40,000 ships crossing through it every year, along with countless public ferries, fishermen’s boats and luxury yachts. If you are looking for a day of escape from the hustle and bustle of central Istanbul, you will find a safe haven in the beautiful neighborhoods of the Bosphorus. You will experience both the glamorous and the authentic side of these areas, where some still retain the feeling of a fishermen’s village, while others are filled with famous restaurants, high-end delicatessens, upscale museums and elegant boutiques.
Highlights:
Explore the Emirgan neighborhood with its famous wooden Ottoman mansions, pudding shops and its old-world charm.
Admire Ottoman calligraphy art at Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Situated in a spectacular lush garden overlooking the Bosphorus, the Equestrian Mansion (Atlı Köşk), was the former residence of the businessman Sakıp Sabancı and now home to one the city’s best museums.
Enjoy Turkish coffee at a traditional cafe with beautiful scenery.
Discover Turkish contemporary art in one of the most iconic structures on the shores of the Bosphorus
Stroll around a medieval fortress overlooking two continents. Built in 1452, Rumeli Fortress consists of three large towers, one small tower, and thirteen smaller towers, which all are in very good condition. The castle was laid out in the shape of the name of the Prophet Muhammad by the architect Müslihiddin.
Various great alternatives offered for lunch: 1. A chic waterfront seafood restaurant where you sit right out over the water as it laps against the building. 2. A charming brasserie, serving top-notch seafood, pasta dishes and bowls 3. A neighborhood büfe by the water, with the best hot dogs and hot sandwiches (if you are looking for a quick and affordable break)
Meet a pioneer of Turkish poetry at his home. Aşiyan Museum, once home to the famous Turkish poet Tevfik Fikret is a great hidden gem where you get to see the insides of old Ottoman mansions. Visiting Aşiyan is like travelling through time. The museum holds the personal belongings of Fikret, such as books, photos and furniture. It transports you back to the early 1900s.
Tea break at an old-school local’s favorite cafe, where little wooden tables are clustered around a strip of water on the littoral and offers one of the most magnificent views in the world.
Explore the Bebek neighborhood. With its mix of old-world charm and contemporary style, Bebek is undoubtedly one of the city’ s most fashionable districts and as such is home to some of Istanbul’s best boutiques. An afternoon can easily be spent among the boutiques and cafes, opened by a series of enterprising and fashionable individuals. The shops here have an alternative character and are sometimes hidden from the main sight as they are often inside private apartments.
(Optional) End the day with a nice drink at a bar overlooking the Bosphorus, which always has a buzz and an atmosphere that has survived for generations and remains iconic.
Important notes:
- As most museums are closed on Mondays, we recommend this tour between Tuesdays and Sundays.
- Borusan Contemporary is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, so during the weekdays instead of visiting this venue, we will visit Emirgan Park, one of the city’ s largest parks. Today, the park contains many rare trees and ponds . The grounds contain three Ottoman pavilions. But it is most famous for its tulip festival. Every April, the flower beds explode with the bright colors of thousands of tulips.
- If you have any particular interests or have already seen some of these sights and want to see different ones, get in touch and we can tailor make the tour, just for you.
Who is this tour for?
- Anyone interested in exploring the world-famous beautiful neighborhoods of the Bosphorus
- Anyone looking for a day of escape from the hustle and bustle of central Istanbul
- Anyone interested in traditional and contemporary arts
- Anyone interested in Ottoman architecture
- Anyone interested in discovering elegant boutiques and trendy spots of the Bosphorus
Why book with Istanbul Tour Studio?
- Istanbul Tour Studio is rated "Excellent" on Tripadvisor. Click to read the latest reviews about us.
- We make you feel at home! Our tours give you the feeling that you are walking around Istanbul with local friends.
- A team of knowledgeable staff that are trustworthy, friendly and always on time.
- Fast-track at museum entrances and no waiting in ticket lines.
How much is the private A Day on the Bosphorus tour per person?
- Our private A Day on the Bosphorus tour is $175 USD/person for two people ($350 USD total), plus 20% VAT, bringing the total to $420 USD.
- Our prices are quoted per person, and we require a minimum of two participants to organize this private tour. For private tours for one person, please contact us for customized pricing.
- The prices include English-speaking professional guidance and museum entrance fees.
- As the size of your private group increases, the per-person cost decreases: $175 USD/person for two people, $165 USD/person for three people, $155 USD/person for four people, $145 USD/person for five people, $135 USD/person for six people. Dynamic pricing is applied automatically during the booking process based on your group size. For groups larger than six people or additional customization, please contact us directly.
- Children aged 6 and under join for free.
- The listed prices are for a walking tour. If you're staying in Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu (Taksim), or Karaköy, public transportation options such as tram, ferry, or taxi will cost an additional $15–$25 USD.
- Private transportation in a luxury Mercedes van with a professional driver is available for $300 USD/day, plus 20% VAT.
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