Bosphorus Cruise with Maiden’s Tower and the Asian Side

Our tour of the area will kick off at the Spice Market. Located on the edges of the Bosphorus, the bazaar is popular among visitors due to its spicy aroma and taste. The market was established in the 1660s as the last stop for camel caravans, and it has a history as rich as its fragrance. Enjoy the spectacular colors of the thousands of spices sold in the bazaar as you take in the sweet aroma and tastes that make this market famous.

After a morning of lovely colors and enticing aroma, we will take a ferry for a cruise down the Bosphorus straits. The Bosphorus strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara while separating Istanbul’s Asian side from the European side. A cruise along the waterway gives you a breathtaking view of the iconic landmarks dotting Istanbul’s skyline. These will include impressive pieces of Ottoman architecture like the Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, and the Ortakoy Mosque. You will also get to see the two suspension bridges connecting the two sides of Istanbul.

Enjoy these and many more scenic sights of the city from the water at a luxurious pace.

Our next stop is the pearl of Bosphorus strait, the Maiden’s Tower. This iconic landmark sits on a small island at the strait’s southern entrance, approximately 200 meters from the coast of Uskudar. The tower, also called Leander’s Tower, was initially built around the 3rd century BCE, but the current structure dates back to 1725 AD. Since then, the tower has been renovated and is now a major visitor attraction, housing a museum and a restaurant serving traditional Turkish dishes. Enjoy a magnificent view of the bay from the tower as you learn its history and the many legends associated with it.

Another Ottoman era piece of architecture covered by the tour is the Beylerbeyi Palace. The palace sits on the Asian shore of Bosphorus and once served as the sultans’ summer residence and important foreign visitors of the Ottoman Empire.

Built between 1861-1865, the palace is a unique blend of European and Ottoman architecture with its French neo-baroque style and Ottoman house plan. Apart from the European look, the palace also has European furniture, chandeliers, and decorations. Explore the 6 large halls and 24 rooms within the palace for a taste of the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans.

Our last stop will be the 267-meter-tall Camlica hill. The hill is the highest point in Istanbul, and here, you will get a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, the Bosphorus Strait, and the Marmara Sea. You will also enjoy the stunning silhouette made by the minarets and domes of the city’s many mosques at sunset.