Istanbul Shore Excursion: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul Egyptian Bazaar
Istanbul, Turkey
Rating: 
Trip Type: Ports of Call Tours
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
When your cruise ship docks in Istanbul, head out on a 3.5-hour shore excursion to visit the city’s famous Spice Bazaar and then cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Travel between each site by coach as an onboard guide talks about the city’s history, and make the most of free time at the bazaar to browse its colorful and aromatic produce at leisure. Then, hop aboard a sightseeing boat and admire Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and other grand mosques and fortresses that line the Bosphorus’ shores.
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When your cruise ship docks in Istanbul, head out on a 3.5-hour shore excursion to visit the city’s famous Spice Bazaar and then cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Travel between each site by coach as an onboard guide talks about the city’s history, and make the most of free time at the bazaar to browse its colorful and aromatic produce at leisure. Then, hop aboard a sightseeing boat and admire Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and other grand mosques and fortresses that line the Bosphorus’ shores.
Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, and then start your shore excursion with a pickup from the Port of Istanbul. As you travel through the city, sit back and relax as your onboard guide talks about Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar — your first destination of the tour. One of the city’s most colorful and bustling attractions, the market has operated since the 17th century and remains as popular with locals as it is with visitors.
Hop out of your coach and head inside the market while breathing in its heady aromas of fragrant spices and herbs. Hear tips for interesting stalls to visit from your guide, and then enjoy roughly 45 minutes of free time to explore and shop at leisure.
After shopping and sightseeing around the famous souk, travel by coach to the banks of the Bosphorus Strait for your cruise. Learn about the famous stretch of water that straddles both the Asian and European continents as you travel, and then board your sightseeing boat for the cruise.
Take a seat out on deck or inside the cabin, and cruise past an impressive selection of Istanbul’s showpiece sights. Look out for Dolmabahçe Palace with its decadent façade, 15th-century Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace where Ottoman-era sultans spent their summer vacations. Your route takes in sights on both the European and Asian shores and, in addition to Istanbul’s big-name attractions, the cruise also passes some the city’s lesser-known gems: mosques, fortresses, palaces and more.
After admiring the sights of the Bosphorus Strait from the water, return to land and finally finish your experience with a port drop-off.
Worry-Free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Port of Istanbul for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Hop out of your coach and head inside the market while breathing in its heady aromas of fragrant spices and herbs. Hear tips for interesting stalls to visit from your guide, and then enjoy roughly 45 minutes of free time to explore and shop at leisure.
After shopping and sightseeing around the famous souk, travel by coach to the banks of the Bosphorus Strait for your cruise. Learn about the famous stretch of water that straddles both the Asian and European continents as you travel, and then board your sightseeing boat for the cruise.
Take a seat out on deck or inside the cabin, and cruise past an impressive selection of Istanbul’s showpiece sights. Look out for Dolmabahçe Palace with its decadent façade, 15th-century Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace where Ottoman-era sultans spent their summer vacations. Your route takes in sights on both the European and Asian shores and, in addition to Istanbul’s big-name attractions, the cruise also passes some the city’s lesser-known gems: mosques, fortresses, palaces and more.
After admiring the sights of the Bosphorus Strait from the water, return to land and finally finish your experience with a port drop-off.
Worry-Free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Port of Istanbul for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
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