Morning Bosphorus Cruise From Istanbul

This magnificent morning cruise ferry leaves from Eminonu dock and then continues its 90 minute non-stop tour to the Second Bosphorus Bridge and back, with a visit to the Historical Eminonu district.

Cruising the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, you can see how the city and the Ottoman world gradually changed. By the 18th century, the old centre and the palace began to extend beyond the boundaries of the city. The Sultan and his entourage started to build new residences in a sophisticated western style on the banks of the Strait. These mansions were built in a way that enabled one to admire the beauty of the Bosphorus. Behind the house, there was usually a huge garden in which a harem could be built. The houses faced the water and it was this characteristic that had not previously existed. This new style pleased not only the Turkish aristocracy: more and more European diplomats moved into gorgeous embassies on the waterfront. If we compare Istanbul to Venice, the Bosphorus became similar to the Grand Canal, being a place where people could demonstrate their power and wealth.