Tour Overview
Experience Istanbul’s rich history and breathtaking scenery with this immersive tour that combines a visit to Dolmabahçe Palace, a Bosphorus cruise, and a stop at Küçüksu Palace on the Asian side. This journey offers a perfect blend of land and water exploration, providing stunning views of iconic landmarks and historical insights into the city that bridges two continents.
Tour Itinerary
🚗 Private Transfer & Dolmabahçe Palace Tour
Your day begins with a private transfer from your hotel to the majestic Dolmabahçe Palace, the second-largest palace in Turkey. Spend 1.5 hours exploring its 285 rooms, 40+ halls, and countless oil paintings and artifacts from the Ottoman era.
🏰 Originally built as Beşiktaş Palace in 1614, the site was transformed in the 1850s by Sultan Abdülmecid, who constructed the grand structure you see today. Marvel at the palace’s lavish Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical designs, and step back in time to an era of sultans, opulence, and history.
📌 Important Note: Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. On these days, the tour will not visit the palace, and instead, the tour will start two hours later (11:30 AM departure).
🚢 2.5-Hour Bosphorus Cruise & Kucuksu Palace Stop
After your palace tour, board a comfortable boat for a relaxing 2.5-hour cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, offering spectacular views of Istanbul’s European and Asian shores.
📍 Stop at Kucuksu Palace (1 Hour)
Disembark on the Asian side of Istanbul for a visit to Küçüksu Palace, a smaller but intricately designed summer retreat built by Ottoman sultans. The name “Küçüksu” means “Small Water”, but don’t be fooled—this palace is filled with elaborate mosaics, delicate carvings, and stunning architectural details.
🌉 Iconic Landmarks You’ll See From the Boat
As you glide along the Bosphorus, admire some of Istanbul’s most famous sights, including:
- Galata Tower – An iconic medieval stone tower with a panoramic city view.
- Galata Bridge – A bustling bridge connecting the historic and modern parts of the city.
- Bosphorus Bridge – The first suspension bridge to connect Europe and Asia.
- Ortaköy Mosque – A waterfront mosque adorned with floral designs and stunning minarets.
- Rumeli Fortress – Built by Mehmed II in 1452 to aid in the conquest of Constantinople.
- Süleymaniye Mosque – One of Istanbul’s most picturesque and largest mosques, built for Suleiman the Magnificent.
- Beylerbeyi Palace – A lavish summer palace with 24 rooms and stunning Baroque architecture.
- Üsküdar – One of the most scenic residential areas on Istanbul’s Asian side.
- Maiden’s Tower – A legendary tower on a small islet, famously associated with myths of a princess and a deadly prophecy.
Tour Conclusion
The cruise concludes at Eminönü, just across the street from the Spice Bazaar, where you can continue exploring at your own pace.
Important Notes
📌 Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays – On these days, the tour will start two hours later and will not include the palace visit.
📌 Hotel Pickup is available from Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, and Taksim. Pickups from other areas may incur an extra charge—please check with our team for details.
