Bosphorus and Northern Districts of Istanbul

The Bosphorus adds to the charm of Istanbul. Its hilly landscape, blue waters and green parks are adorned with Ottoman mosques, palaces and stunning seaside mansions. Taking a city boat tour is the best way to appreciate this charm.

On this route, we will take a ferry to admire the beauty of the Bosphorus and closely examine the richly decorated facades of Ottoman palaces and elegantly carved wooden mansions. We will also travel to the northern districts of Istanbul, such as Sarıyer, to enjoy their cultural and culinary delights.

The Sadberk Hanım Museum houses a relatively small but valuable collection of antiques and ethnographic artefacts. Housed in a 19th-century wooden mansion, the museum’s collection provides a comprehensive overview of ancient civilisations that inhabited Anatolia, including the Ottoman Turks, Romans and Hellenic Greeks. If you are interested, we can also cross to the Asian side of Istanbul and visit the Mecidiye Pavilion in Beykoz, one of the least-known imperial palaces. Completed in 1854, this palatial structure was a gift from the Egyptian Khedive to the Ottoman Sultan and has unique ziggurat-like gardens. Depending on the time available and the season, we may be able to visit more sights on the way.

If you want to explore what lies beyond the second bridge in Istanbul and experience the city from the deck of a ferry without walking too far or expending much energy, this route could be ideal for you.

Important Points Regarding This Route:

• This route is not wheelchair accessible.
• This route only includes the professional guidance service.
• Tickets of Sadberk Hanım Museum and Mecidiye Pavilion are not included in the price. The boat transportation with city liners are not included. All of them will cost around 10 USD in total.
• Modest clothing is required for religious sites (such as mosques, churches or tombs). Headscarves are available at the entrances of mosques, but not in tombs.
• A small bag (like a shopping bag) is recommended to keep your shoes with you while visiting the interior of mosques or tombs.

Meeting Point:

We can meet in your hotel’s lobby. If that is not convenient for any reason, we can discuss the most suitable alternative. During our meeting, you will see my official tourist guidance licence hanging around my neck. If you cannot find the meeting point, please don’t hesitate to call or WhatsApp me.

Duration:

This route will take 7-8 hours. However, as all routes can be customised, it is possible to shorten or lengthen this one.

Availability:

The Mecidiye Pavilion is closed on Monday and the Sadberk Hanım Museum is closed on Wednesday. However, it is still possible to take this route without visiting them, so it is available any day as long as the ferries are operating. Please email me to find out about availability.

Contact with me via WhatsApp, if you are interested in this route:

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