A Luxurious Journey Through Ottoman Palaces, Istanbul’s Landmarks & Breathtaking Views

Embark on a half-day private tour, starting with an exclusive visit to Dolmabahce Palace, followed by a 2.5-hour scenic Bosphorus cruise with a stop on the Asian side at Kucuksu Palace. Enjoy Istanbul from both land and sea, passing by the city’s most iconic landmarks.

📌 Tour Highlights & Itinerary
🚗 Private Hotel Transfer & Dolmabahce Palace Tour
🌅 Begin your day with a private transfer from your hotel to Dolmabahce Palace
Duration: 1.5 hours at Dolmabahce Palace
The Second-Largest Palace in Turkey, once an imperial navy port before being transformed into a magnificent residence for Ottoman sultans.
Built in 1856 by Sultan Abdulmecid I, Dolmabahçe replaced Topkapı Palace as the official residence of the Ottoman sultans.

🔹 Inside Dolmabahce Palace, discover:
✅ 285 rooms, 44 halls, and hundreds of oil paintings.
✅ Crystal chandeliers, grand staircases, and European-style decor.
✅ The Bosphorus-fronted Ceremonial Hall, where official events were held.
✅ The room where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, spent his final days.
📸 Must-Do: Capture stunning photos of the palace’s waterfront gardens and ornate interiors.

📅 Important Note: 🏛️ Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays & Thursdays. On these days, the tour begins two hours later (11:30 AM departure) and excludes the palace visit.

🚢 2.5-Hour Bosphorus Cruise – A Scenic Journey Between Two Continents
🌊 Board a private boat for a luxurious Bosphorus cruise
Sail between Europe & Asia, passing historical landmarks, palaces, and fortresses.
Learn about the history of Istanbul’s Bosphorus, a vital trade route for centuries.

📍 Landmarks You’ll See from the Water:
✅ Galata Tower – One of Istanbul’s most iconic watchtowers, once used as a prison, fire tower, and observatory.
✅ Galata Bridge – The famous Golden Horn bridge, where fishermen line up daily above the seafood restaurants below.
✅ Bosphorus Bridge – The city’s first bridge connecting Europe and Asia, opened in 1973.
✅ Ortakoy Mosque – A stunning Ottoman mosque beneath the Bosphorus Bridge, known for its floral ceiling designs.

✅ Rumeli Hisarı Fortress – Built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) to secure the Bosphorus before the conquest of Constantinople.
✅ Suleymaniye Mosque – The second-largest mosque in Istanbul, commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by Mimar Sinan.
✅ Beylerbeyi Palace – A stunning Baroque summer palace, featuring elaborate gardens and crystal chandeliers.
✅ Uskudar – A picturesque neighborhood on the Asian side, known for its historical mosques and rolling hills.
✅ Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) – A legendary tower on a tiny island, famous for its myth of a princess locked away to avoid a prophesied snake bite.

📍 Cruise Duration: 2.5 hours
📸 Perfect for photography lovers! Capture stunning shots of the Bosphorus skyline, bridges, and iconic landmarks.

🏰 Stop at Kucuksu Palace – A Hidden Gem on the Asian Side
🚤 Disembark for a guided tour of Kucuksu Palace
Duration: 1-hour stop at Kucuksu Palace
Known as “Small Water Palace”, this 19th-century imperial summer retreat was built by Sultan Abdülmecid I.
Though smaller than Dolmabahçe, it is richly decorated with frescoes, gilded ceilings, and intricate carvings.
Admire the ornate Baroque interiors and Bosphorus-view terraces, once enjoyed by Ottoman sultans as a hunting lodge.

📍 Tour Duration: 1 hour
📸 Capture breathtaking views of the Bosphorus from the palace gardens!

🚢 Continue Cruising Back to Eminonu – Tour Ends by the Spice Bazaar
After visiting Kucuksu Palace, continue cruising down the Bosphorus for the final leg of the journey.
The tour concludes in Eminonu, right across from the Spice Bazaar, where you are free to explore further

📍 Optional: Visit the Spice Bazaar, famous for its fragrant spices, Turkish delights, dried fruits, and local teas.
📍 Total Duration: 5–5.5 hours

🚗 Important Notes & Pickup Information
📅 Closures & Entry Restrictions
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays & Thursdays.
✅ On these days, the tour starts two hours later (11:30 AM) and excludes the palace visit.
Kucuksu Palace may be replaced with another historical landmark, depending on seasonal access.

🚐 Hotel Pickup Information
✅ Complimentary pickup is available from:
Sultanahmet
Sirkeci
Laleli
Aksaray
Taksim
📍 Pickups outside these areas may require an additional charge – please check with our team.

📌 Book Your Bosphorus Cruise & Palace Tour Today!
📅 Want to enhance your experience? We also offer:
✅ Private Sunset Yacht Cruises with Fine Dining.
✅ Guided Food & Cultural Walking Tours in Istanbul.
✅ Day Trips to Princes’ Islands, Bursa, or Cappadocia.
🌟 Contact us now and let us craft your perfect Istanbul experience!