Dolmabahce Palace with Bosphorus Cruise and Bus Sightseeing tour

A full day Istanbul City tour that combines cruising the Bosphorus and Sightseeing by bus, with a special visit at the Palace of Dolmabachce. Discover Istanbul by sea on a relaxing Bosphorus Boat Tour and experience the Higlights of the  city by bus, crossing  the European side to the Asian part of the city.

What You Can Expect

Start your day by visiting Dolmabahce Palace, a monument built in the 19 th century and one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans  residing there. Skip the lines and enjoy the palace with your guide. Continue your day  on a 2,5-hour Bosphorus Cruise , cruising between the European and the Asian sides, where the most important architectural highlights of the city stand, and visit an authentic Ottoman palace on the Asian side of Istanbul. Seen from the water  the sights of Istanbul is a whole different experience. After the cruise, hop on the bus to explore the neighbourhoods across the Golden Horn, up to the Pierre Lotti hill for a full panorama of the city and  lunch with a view, before you take the cable car down the hill to the city centre.

Tour timeline

Dolmabahce Palace with Bosphorus Cruise and Bus Sightseeing tour

8.30

Free Hotel Transfer Service

A free hotel pick up and transfer service is provided to Dolmabahce Palace where your guide will be waiting for you to start your tour.

Please Note: Pick-up only provided for central accommodation

9.30

Dolmabahce Palace

Since the Ottoman empire has moved its administrative center from Topkapi Palace to Dolmabahce in 1856, up until 1924 when the caliphate was abolished, the Palace has been home to six sultans. Today it is famous for its opulence and impessive combination of architectural styles, the intricate 4,5 tonnes crystal chandelier and the intriguing stories of its inhabitants.

Following the Dolmabahce visit you will be transferred to the pier where you will board the boat tour.

11:30

Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise

Take a scenic cruise on the Bosphorus and admire top Istanbul attractions. Cruise between the two continents,  Europe and Asia,  and  marvel at the sights of spectacular palaces, medieval fortresses and famous residences. Your guide will share with you interesting information about all the sites you will come across, such as the neighborhood of  Balat, Ataturk Bridge, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Bosphorus Strait, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ortakoy, Maiden’s Tower, and Rumeli Fortress, Old City Peninsula, Topkapi Palace among others.

12:30

Kucuksu Palace (Stop Point)

We will  make an hour stop to visit  Kucuksu Palace , located on the Asian side , an Ottoman era hunting lodge for royalty built in Baroque style and dated since the 19th century .

Please note that the Maiden’s Tower may be visited instead of Kucuksu palace, based on interest and other factors.

Only Garden Tickets is included in the Kucuksu Palace.

14:00

City Bus Tour

See the City Walls and the Golden Horn on board our bus, and witness the history of

‘OId Istanbul’  with the commentation of our professionaland knowledgeable guide.

14:30

Lunch Break & Free Time

We will make a stop at the Pierre Loti Hill, a great leisure area with an open air cafe overlooking the Golden Horn with beautiful views. The area takes its name from a famous French novelist and traveler, who lived in Istanbul for the best part of his life. Here you can enjoy your free time sipping Turkish coffee or tea, and enjoying lunch at the restaurants before the Cable Car Ride Experience. The bus will be waiting for you to take you on a short ride around The Historical City Walls, which were one of the most elaborate fortification systems of ancient  times, built by Constantine the Great to protect the city against attacks by both land and sea.

17:00

Hotel Drop off Service

At the end of the tour you will be dropped off at your hotel.