Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry with Dolmabahce Palace

No view of Istanbul beats the one you get as you cruise slowly along the Bosphorus Strait. The Strait joins the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and separates Istanbul’s Asian and European sides.

Enjoy outstanding views of mosques, ornate timber mansions, suspension bridges, and sumptuous palaces. If fortune favors us during our cruise, you will get the opportunity to watch dolphins swim in the deep and clear blue waters.

After a relaxing and scenic cruise on the gentle waters of the Bosphorus Canal, our first stop will be the most glamourous and lavish palace in the world, Dolmabahce. Dolmabahce palace dates back to the 19th century and sits on a bay once the hub of many shipping activities and a popular attraction for rulers.

Dolmabahce was the last and the most expensive palace built by the Ottoman Empire. It is for this reason that the place is trendy among visitors of Bosphorus suburbs. Here, you will experience a taste of pure royal extravagance like nowhere else in the world. The palace is set within a beautiful garden, and its breathtaking neoclassical exterior will blow your mind away.

While the outside of Dolmabahce will leave you breathless due to its endless beauty, the sheer extravagance on the inside will astound you. This lavish palace is divided into three parts, the Harem, Selamlik, and Veliaht Dairesi, with 365 rooms, 22 saloons, and tons of chandeliers. You may be unable to explore the whole palace, but this visit will reveal the priceless treasures, intricate mosaics, statues, and other precious objects within these walls. Get a taste of the luxurious lives of Ottoman royalty inside this one-of-a-kind palace.

Another popular attraction on the edges of the Bosphorus Strait is the Spice Market (Egyptian Market). This market is famous for its wonderful aroma and tastes of every spice imaginable, resulting from the thousands of spices and herbs sold in the market. The many spices also give the bazaar spectacular colors, making it one of the few places where you can enjoy organic beauty.

The bazaar was erected in the 1660s and was the last stop for caravans on the Silk Road. Some of the buildings in the market date back to this period. Soak in the smells, tastes, and sounds of the spice market with its bright colors and enticing aromas. You can also buy delicious foodstuffs within the spice market and take the bazaar’s incredible tastes back with you. Above the bazaar is a historical restaurant that you might want to book for a plate of iconic Turkish delicacies, the Pandeli.