Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul: which type to choose, the best time and what you will see

• ✔The public ferry: a long, cheap trip with local life, but no commentary.
• ✔A tour boat: about 1.5 hours with a guide or audio commentary, leaving from Eminönü or Kabataş.
• ✔A sunset or dinner cruise: with a meal, drinks and sometimes a show, often priced much higher.

Tour boat

1.5–2 hours

Public ferry

Up to 6 hours return

Best time

Sunset

Departure

Eminönü, Kabataş

Dinner cruise

Evening, with show

Season

All year

You sail past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress and the wooden waterfront mansions called yalıs. The old city's skyline of Topkapı and the mosques is a treat from the water at sunset. Sit on the upper deck for views and take a jacket for the wind.

For first-time visitors, a tour boat with commentary is the best value. For a romantic night, a dinner cruise is fun, but check the food and the entertainment, since quality varies. The public ferry is for those who enjoy a slow day on the water and a glass of tea.

• ✔Book in advance for sunset in summer.
• ✔Bring a layer; it can be windy.
• ✔Avoid touts on the quay; buy from the official counters or online.
• ✔Combine with the Spice Bazaar nearby, for snacks.

The public ferry from Eminönü travels to Anadolu Kavağı, near the Black Sea, with stops on both shores. The trip takes about 90 minutes each way, with a break at the end for lunch and a climb to a Byzantine castle with views. On the way, you pass the Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress and the bridges.

Bring a book, sit on the upper deck and buy a glass of tea and a simit from the vendors who walk the deck. It is a fraction of the price of a private cruise, and a window into daily life as commuters, fishermen and families share the boat.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with soft light and mild temperatures. In summer, a sunset trip is cooler, and in winter, the cold wind is a reason to dress warmly.

• ✔Going north: sit on the right to see the European side, including Dolmabahçe.
• ✔Coming back: the Asian side comes into view, with the wooden yalıs.
• ✔For photographs: the upper deck at the rear gives the widest views.
• ✔For shelter: stay on the lower deck in cold or windy weather.

After a cruise, explore the Asian side by getting off at Kadıköy, with its markets, cafés and street art, or Üsküdar, with a lovely waterfront and mosques. Alternatively, visit Ortaköy on the European side for a baked potato, a stroll under the bridge and a view of the mosque.

In the evening, try a rooftop bar in Karaköy or Galata for a sunset view over the Golden Horn. See our Istanbul food guide, the Hagia Sophia guide and the Istanbul guide.

See Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and our Istanbul guide. For food, read the Istanbul food guide.