Istanbul · SAILING

15 Sailing Trips in Istanbul Worth the Money

29 tours  ·  from $15

Think of this as the shortlist you would text a friend: 15 sailing trips that hold up, each with what it costs, how long it takes and the one thing worth knowing before you pay.

Istanbul: Sunset or Day Small-Group Yacht Cruise with Snacks - From Karakoy to Dolmabahce Palace
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Sunset or Day Small-Group Yacht Cruise with Snacks

1.Sunset or Day Small-Group Yacht Cruise with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,774 reviews · 2 hours · from $31Our pick

See Istanbul from a 20-meter yacht on a two-hour daytime or sunset cruise for up to 16 people. You’ll pass Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower while enjoying fruit, nuts, mini pizza, tea, coffee, and water. Guides such as Tugba and Suma help with photos and comfort.

“The cruise was very well organized. The team made sure I didn’t miss the trip — they even called to confirm everything, which I really appreciated. The tour itself was smooth and relaxing, with beautiful views and a comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a pleasant and stress-free experience!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide - Boarding at Kabatas Square
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

2.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,845 reviews · 2h 15m · from $19

Board a comfortable yacht at Kabatas for a 135-minute English-guided sunset cruise. Sail past Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and Maiden’s Tower while enjoying canapés, fruit, mint lemonade, tea, and coffee. Guides such as Aleyna and Betul are praised for friendly service.

“We had a great time. Smooth tour and full of experience.”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side - Fortresses, bridges, and the military story of the strait
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Istanbul Asian Side Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

3.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,251 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Top rated

Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus for about 2.5 hours on a comfortable yacht, with English commentary, tea, coffee, snacks, and a short Kanlıca stop on the Asian side. Pickup is available in Sultanahmet, Taksim, Karaköy, and Sirkeci. Guides have included Asha, Serdar, Marat, and Murat.

“This was a lovely boat and friendly crew. The tour guide was funny and easy to listen to. The sites were interesting. There were lots of things to eat and drink including nuts, cheese sandwiches with fresh fruit, water, Turkish tea and Turkish coffee. Our only complaint was that the yogurt they recommended we try on the Asia side was incredibly overpriced and they didn’t tell you until it was too late. There are other yogurt shops near the boat and in the city you could go to. Each yogurt was approximately $5 USD.”

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Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best - Boarding near Kabataş
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

4.Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,181 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Board a 25-meter yacht near Kabataş for a relaxed 2.5-hour Bosphorus cruise. An English-speaking guide explains palaces, fortresses, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods while you enjoy tea, juice, lemonade, fruit, and canapés. Hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoğlu.

“Beautiful cruise through the Bosphorus Straight. Good snacks, juice and water. Beer available. Gave us a menu but never came back for our order. Gave us blankets that really was a nice touch as it cooled down when the sun set. We couldn’t really hear our guide but we were outside. I would have liked to hear a little more in the history we were cruising by, but didn’t go inside! Overall we had a great time and would do it again”

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Sunset or Daytime Istanbul Guided Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks - Dolmabahçe Palace and the European shore
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Sailing, Tour Reviews, VIP

Sunset or Daytime Istanbul Guided Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks

5.Sunset or Daytime Istanbul Guided Luxury Yacht Cruise with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,977 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend about two hours cruising Istanbul’s Bosphorus with a live English-speaking guide. See Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, both suspension bridges, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower while enjoying baklava, canapés, fruit, tea, coffee, and seasonal drinks. Some departures feature guide Robert.

“Nice sunset trip and a good way to see Istanbul during the day and night. We got to see both sides of the city with a good tour guide. The fruit was delicious too!”

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Istanbul Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht - Guided Group Cruise - A small yacht with room to look around
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Sailing, Tour Reviews, VIP

Istanbul Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht – Guided Group Cruise

6.Istanbul Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht – Guided Group Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,891 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Set out from Kabataş for a two-hour sunset cruise on a yacht limited to 40 people. A guide such as Nur points out palaces, mosques, bridges, forts, and waterfront districts while the crew serves mint lemonade, tea, coffee, fruit, cookies, and baklava.

“Excellent cruise. Not too long and packed with fun. The food was excellent too! You will not regret this tour!”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side - (Morning or Afternoon) - What you see on the European shore
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Istanbul Asian Side Tours, Istanbul Layover Tours, Morning, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

7.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,657 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard the Sunset Bosphorus yacht, passing palaces, mosques, bridges, and fortresses on both shores. Guides such as Nahed, Serdar, and Senol provide commentary, while tea, coffee, snacks, Wi-Fi, and blankets add comfort. A short Kanlıca stop brings Turkish yogurt and coffee.

“This was a very well organised trip, from before we were collected we were informed by WhatsApp of the exact vehicle picking us up (photos too) to how we were treated through the 2.5 hour trip. From stepping onto the boat we were given drinks and snacks and throughout the trip we received more drinks and snacks. Nahed gave commentary throughout the trip and she obviously knows her stuff, very informative and lovely and friendly; all the staff on board were. Highly recommended trip.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks - Boarding the yacht and finding the best seat
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

8.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,549 reviews · 2 hours - 125 minutes · from $15Best value

Cruise between Europe and Asia on a small yacht for about two hours, passing Dolmabahce Palace, Maiden’s Tower, Rumeli Fortress, bridges, and waterfront villas. Guides such as Kadir and Yasin add local stories, while fruit, nuts, cookies, tea, and coffee keep the ride comfortable.

“Wonderful activity! It was SO worth the price and more- and Kadir was an excellent guide! This was the highlight of our trip”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht - Starting at Balıkçı Kemal in Karaköy
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, VIP

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

9.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,435 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus at sunset aboard a 25-meter yacht, with views of palaces, mosques, bridges, and waterfront villas. A live English or Spanish guide, Turkish tea, baklava, fruit, lemonade or juice, and attentive service make this a polished evening outing. Murat has guided some departures.

“The cruise was very well organised and very much worth the money . The yacht was beautiful and we felt so comfortable and relaxed with plenty of comfortable seating for everyone . Murat was our guide and he was very informative and funny .”

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Bosphorus Sunset: An Enchanting Yacht Cruise in Istanbul - Kabataş departure and the question of hotel pickup
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Bosphorus Sunset: An Enchanting Yacht Cruise in Istanbul

10.Bosphorus Sunset: An Enchanting Yacht Cruise in Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,145 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Cruise the Bosphorus for 2.5 hours aboard a small yacht, passing Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Asian-side palaces, and the Maiden’s Tower. A guide explains the sights while you enjoy baklava, fruit, tea, water, and seasonal lemonade. Pickup is available from Fatih, Beyoğlu, and Taksim hotels.

“This tour operator is terrible. Don't book it. I ask when I booked it if I would be able to ride my mobility scooter to the boat. I got no answer. They notified me that they would pick us up at our hotel at 5:15 and showed up ant 5:50 after the tour was to leave the Marina at 5:30. Then they tell me I could not ride my scooter to the boat. I didn't need it on the boat but they got a guy on the phone with an attitude. He said he tried to reach me the night before which was not true. We didn't get to go…”

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Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers - From Kabataş to Dolmabahçe Palace
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, VIP

Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers

11.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,086 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60

Spend about two hours on a luxury yacht cruising Istanbul’s Bosphorus at dusk. Guides such as Celil and Jan provide lively historical commentary while you pass Ottoman palaces, waterfront neighborhoods, bridges, and the Golden Horn. Transfers, tea, lemonade, baklava, cookies, fruit, and a restroom are included.

“We had a lovely evening cruising the Bosphorus with our family. Alana was great at communicating the pick up time from our hotel and was on hand to meet us as the meeting point and taking us to the boat. There was plenty of space for everyone in the large group, and we got some lovely snacks and drinks too (nuts, baklava, Turkish delight, cookies and fresh fruit, as well as homemade lemonade and Turkish tea) which made it even nicer. I’d highly recommend if you’re visiting Istanbul as it’s a great way to see some of the sights and a different side of Istanbul (the Amalfi of Turkey). The…”

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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax - A comfortable small yacht, with one important caveat
Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruises, Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, VIP

Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

12.Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 966 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus at sunset aboard a yacht for up to 35 people. A live English-speaking host explains palaces, fortresses, bridges, and mosques as you pass. Tea, coffee, water, fruit, cookies, baklava, and snacks are included. Pickup is available only with the selected option.

“Wonderful experience, we had such a lovely time. Highly recommended! Team went above and beyond to accommodate us.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side - Meeting at Dolmabahçe Mosque
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Istanbul Asian Side Tours, Istanbul Layover Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side

13.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 925 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $47

Cruise between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores aboard a comfortable yacht, passing palaces, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront districts. An English-speaking guide such as Sinan or Deniz adds history and humor, while tea, coffee, fruit, pastries, and a Kanlıca stop round out the 2.5-hour trip.

“A lovely yacht and the guide and staff on board were excellent. Easy to find meeting point, was sent pictures on WhatsApp the day before, then a short walk to the yacht. A good selection of complimentary snacks with tea and coffee whilst cruising both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus. A 30 minute stop on the Asian side. All in all a good way to spend 2.5 hours in Istanbul.”

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Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Tour – Asian Side Stop & Exploration - Starting at Kabataş and settling aboard
Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Istanbul Asian Side Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Tours, VIP

Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Tour – Asian Side Stop & Exploration

14.Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Tour – Asian Side Stop & Exploration

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 697 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $33

Spend about 2.5 hours on a yacht between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. An English-speaking guide, possibly Serdar Cengiz, explains the palaces, mosques, bridges, and fortresses, with snacks, tea, Turkish coffee, and a short Kanlıca stop.

“It is a great way to see the European and Asian sides of Istanbul in 2.5 hours. Guide is really knowledgeable, too .”

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Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers - Dolmabahçe and Çırağan: Ottoman waterfront grandeur
Bosphorus Sunset Cruises, Bosphorus Yacht Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, VIP

Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers

15.Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 683 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42

Cruise from Kabataş past Ottoman palaces, waterfront mosques, bridges, fortresses, and Maiden’s Tower while an English-speaking local guide explains Istanbul’s story. Hotel-area transfers, Wi-Fi, lemonade, tea, coffee, fruit, cookies, and baklava are included. Upper-deck seats offer the best sunset views.

“Una experiencia inolvidable, excelente servicio, el personal muy atento es tal y como se describe. Lo super recomiendo.”

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New in Sailing

★ 3.5Sailing Through Culture Bosphorus and Spice Bazaar TourFrom $4026 reviews
★ 5.02 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus161 reviews
★ 5.0Private Yacht Cruise on Bosphorus207 reviews
★ 5.0Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury YachtFrom $24198 reviews
★ 5.0Bosphorus Night Cruise with Luxury YachtFrom $54209 reviews
★ 4.5Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Snacks and Live GuideFrom $29216 reviews
★ 5.0Small-Group Yacht Cruise with Snacks, Sunset or DaytimeFrom $48258 reviews
★ 5.0Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise – Stopover in Asian SideFrom $36285 reviews

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