About this experience
You will visit the grand mosque of Camlica, hear the history of Yoros fortress, take a walk in the most beautiful park of the city - Yıldız, have lunch in a fishing village, and have tea in the ancient Maltese pavilion. And during the sea cruise, stories about Istanbul will be complemented by views of magnificent palaces and elegant villas.
What to expect
A comprehensive view of Istanbul
Sights you will see during the car journey and walk along the Bosphorus will vividly illustrate the story of the history of Constantinople, its rise, fall, and conquest by the Ottomans. You will also learn about modern life in Istanbul and get tips from a local to help you feel comfortable in this colorful metropolis.
Asian coast: Camlica Mosque and Genoese Fortress
You will visit the recently opened mosque, which is among the top ten largest mosques in the world. Appreciate the scale of this grand structure, which can accommodate more than 60,000 people, and learn about the architectural continuity incorporated into the project. Then you will head to the ruins of Yoros fortress, located at the beginning of the Bosphorus on the border with the Black Sea. Here I will tell you about ancient temples, the "sacred place" of the Phoenicians and Greeks, the significant gift from the Byzantine emperor to the Genoese, and the foundation of the fortress in the 13th century.
Lunch in a fishing village and Yıldız Park on the European coast
In the coastal restaurant Anadolu Kavağı with a magnificent view of the Bosphorus, you will be able to taste dishes made from the freshest seafood. Afterward, I will take you back along a picturesque road along the strait. In the European part, you will visit Yıldız Park - one of the most famous and beautiful parks in Istanbul. On the area of half a million square meters, you will see exotic plants brought from different corners of the world: horse chestnut and silver lime, European hornbeam and laurel, cypresses and magnolias, century-old oaks and cedars. You will stroll around man-made water bodies with suspended bridges, waterfalls, and fountains. And in the ancient Maltese pavilion, you will relax with a cup of Turkish coffee or tea with a wonderful view of the strait and the Asian coast.
Boat Cruise on the Bosphorus
The car part of the tour will end at the Karaköy port. I will buy you tickets for a little boat, point out what to pay attention to, and you will embark on a one-and-a-half-hour cruise on the waters of the Bosphorus. You will see the magnificent palaces of Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi, and Küçüksu, the Kempinski hotel (Çırağan Palace), elegant Ottoman villas, Bosphorus bridges, ancient fortresses of Rumeli Hisarı and Anadolu Hisarı.
Organizational Details
The excursion starts at 10:00 from your hotel in the Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Beyoğlu, or Kadıköy areas. If your hotel is in remote areas of Istanbul, we will coordinate a separate meeting point.
What is included in the price and what is not
- Included: transfer and tickets for the Bosphorus cruise
- Lunch and drinks are additional expenses
- Entry to Yıldız Park is free
