An unforgettable cruise on the Bosphorus

The Bosphorus joins the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, separating Asian Turkey from European Turkey. Bordered on both sides by the vast city of Istanbul, the strait is one of the world's most strategic waterways.

The Bosphorus is Istanbul's nugget. Every day, locals cross it on their way to work on another continent. Ferries, small fishing boats, shuttle buses... invade the sea - especially in summer. The shores of the Bosphorus are lined with beautiful districts, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, restaurants, cafeterias and more. In just one crossing, travellers have the chance to admire a sample of life in Istanbul.

The Bosphorus is a strait that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. The Bosphorus has been of great importance in the economic, geographical and geopolitical context for centuries, and was controlled by many countries for its strategic location.

The Bosphorus connects the Asian and European continents over a length of 32 km thanks to three magnificent bridges.

For locals, the crossing is simply a means of transport to work... for tourists, it's a completely different story. The journey is well worth it for its coastal scenery. You'll come across historic buildings from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, such as the Anatolian Fortress, Anadolu Kavagi, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Maiden Tower, Ortakoy, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Küçüksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress.

These boat trips make several stops along the Bosphorus, offering the chance to discover Istanbul's palaces, mosques and bridges. Explore different districts at your leisure, or let yourself be lulled into a complete tour on board the ferry.

For example, starting and finishing at Kabatas pier, you can stop off at Emirgan, to see an 18th-century mosque and enjoy a Turkish coffee; at Kücüksu, famous for its 19th-century neo-Baroque royal hunting lodge; and at Beylerbeyi, home to a palace and a mosque.

Istanbul's official ferry company is Sehir Hatlari and they offer Bosphorus tours to suit all budgets, all year round. Options include the Short Circle Bosphorus Cruise, the Full Bosphorus Cruise and the Night Full Bosphorus Cruise. The timetable changes with the seasons, so check departure times online or at the on-site sales office near the Eminönü docks near Galata Bridge.

The "short circle" cruise (in Turkish Kisa Bogaz Turu) lasts two hours and runs daily from April to the end of October, departing from Eminönü. The ferry passes over the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (the second main suspension bridge).

The full cruise on the Bosphorus (in Turkish Uzun Bogaz Turu) takes six hours and passes through Üsküdar, Kanlica and Sariyer. Depart for Anadolu Kavagı - the last port before the Black Sea - to visit the fortress or have lunch in one of the local restaurants.

The full Bosphorus Twilight Cruise (in Turkish Mehtap Gezi) departs at 5.30pm and offers a whole new perspective on the city. Following the same itinerary as the full-day tour, the trip offers a spectacular sunset view of the city. It stops at Anadolu Kavagi for two hours so that guests can dine in one of the riverside restaurants, then returns to Eminönü at around 10.30pm. This offer is only available on Saturdays in July and August.