Istanbul: Multicultural Heritage & Captivating Bosphorus Cruise

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Galata Tower

   The Galata Tower, also known as the Galata Kulesi in Turkish, is an iconic historical landmark located in Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of Istanbul's skyline and a popular tourist attraction. Galata Tower is a must-visit attraction in Istanbul, offering a unique blend of history, architecture, and stunning views of the city. It continues to be a beloved symbol of this vibrant and culturally rich metropolis.

   60 minutes here · Admission included

2. Galata Mevlevi Museum

   The Galata Mevlevihane, also known as the Galata Mevlevi Lodge, was a historical dervish lodge (tekke) belonging to the Mevlevi Order, a Sufi Islamic order known for its whirling dervishes. The lodge was located in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey. Unfortunately, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the Galata Mevlevihane no longer functions as a Mevlevi lodge, and its historical significance lies in its past. Please be informed that no interior visit is available to the Galata Mevlevi Museum due to reconstruction work.

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3. The Walls of Istanbul

   The Walls of Constantinople, also known as the Theodosian Walls, were a series of defensive fortifications that surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) during its existence as the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. These walls played a crucial role in the city's defense for over a thousand years and were instrumental in preserving the Byzantine Empire against numerous sieges and invasions. Key facts about the Walls of Constantinople: Construction and Expansion: The initial construction of the walls began in the 4th century AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Theodosius II (hence the name Theodosian Walls). They were expanded and improved upon by subsequent emperors and rulers.

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4. Yedikule Hisarı, also known as the Yedikule Fortress or the Fortress of the Seven Towers, is a historic fortress located in Istanbul, Turkey. The name "Yedikule" translates to "Seven Towers" in Turkish, which is derived from the seven large watchtowers that adorn the fortress walls. Historical Significance: Yedikule Hisarı was constructed by the Roman Emperor Theodosius II in the 5th century AD as part of the Theodosian Walls, a series of fortifications that protected the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). It served as both a defensive structure and a ceremonial gateway. Architecture: The fortress is built of stone and features massive walls and seven prominent towers along its perimeter. The towers are strategically positioned to provide clear lines of sight for defense and served as part of the city's defense system. Purpose: Throughout its history, Yedikule Hisarı had various functions.

   60 minutes here · Admission included

5. Pierre Loti

   Pierre Loti Hill (Pierre Loti Tepesi) is a famous hilltop in Istanbul, Turkey, offering panoramic views of the city and the Golden Horn inlet. It's named after Pierre Loti, a French writer and naval officer, who frequented this spot in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and wrote about his love for Istanbul. The hill has become a popular tourist destination and a peaceful place to enjoy the scenery and relax. Visiting Pierre Loti Hill is not only an opportunity to enjoy stunning vistas of Istanbul but also a chance to connect with the city's literary and historical heritage. It's a unique and serene destination that offers a different perspective on the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul.

   30 minutes here

6. Istanbul Cable Car

   This cable car connects the historic Eyüp district with the famous Pierre Loti Hill. It's a short and enjoyable ride, offering passengers stunning panoramic views of the Golden Horn and Istanbul.

   10 minutes here · Admission included

7. Eyup Sultan Mosque

   The Eyüp Sultan Mosque, also known as the Eyüp Sultan Camii in Turkish, is one of the most significant and revered religious sites in Istanbul, Turkey. It holds a special place in Islamic history and is a destination for both religious pilgrims and tourists. The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is a place of both spiritual significance and historical importance in Istanbul. Whether you visit for religious reasons or to appreciate its cultural and architectural beauty, it's a must-see attraction when exploring this vibrant and diverse city.

   30 minutes here

8. Fener & Balat

   "Fener" and "Balat" are two historic neighborhoods located in the district of Fatih on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. These neighborhoods are known for their rich history, colorful houses, and cultural significance. Both Fener and Balat offer visitors a chance to explore Istanbul's multicultural past and experience the city's rich history through its architecture, religious sites, and cultural diversity. These neighborhoods provide a unique perspective on Istanbul's fascinating heritage and are popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.

   180 minutes here

9. Meryem Ana Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi

   Meryem Ana Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi, also known as the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae or simply Meryem Ana Kilisesi, is a historic Greek Orthodox Christian church located in the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the notable religious and architectural landmarks in the city and holds significance for both its historical importance and its cultural heritage. Visiting Meryem Ana Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi provides a glimpse into the historical and religious tapestry of Istanbul. It is a place where visitors can appreciate the city's rich cultural heritage and the enduring presence of its Christian history.

   30 minutes here

10. Yanbol Synagogue

    The Yanbol Synagogue, also known as Yanbolu Synagogue (Yanbol Sinagogu), is a historic synagogue located in the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul has a rich history of diverse religious and cultural communities, and the Yanbol Synagogue is an example of the city's Jewish heritage. The Yanbol Synagogue, like other synagogues in Istanbul, provides a glimpse into the city's diverse religious history and its legacy of tolerance and coexistence among different cultural and religious groups. It is a testament to the multicultural nature of Istanbul and the contributions of its Jewish community.

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11. Ahrida Synagogue

    The Ahrida Synagogue, also known as the Ahrida Synagogue (Ahrida Synagogue), is one of the oldest and most historically significant synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey. It is located in the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul, which was historically home to a diverse Jewish community. The Ahrida Synagogue stands as a historical and cultural treasure in Istanbul, offering a glimpse into the city's diverse religious history and its legacy of tolerance and coexistence among different cultural and religious groups. It is a significant part of Istanbul's multicultural tapestry.

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12. Bulgarian Orthodox Church

    The Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Istanbul, also known as the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church (Bulgarian: Свети Стефан, Sveti Stefan), is a historic Bulgarian Orthodox church located in the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. This church is an important religious and cultural symbol for the Bulgarian community in Istanbul and has a rich history. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Istanbul, along with other historic religious buildings in the city, contributes to the cultural diversity and the religious tapestry of Istanbul. It is a symbol of the city's history of multiculturalism and the coexistence of various cultural and religious groups.

    30 minutes here

13. Bosphorus Strait

    This beautiful strait, sometimes spelled Bosporus and sometimes Bosphorus, was so called from the earliest ages by the ancients; from the mythology of 10, the mistress of Jupiter, having passed over it in the shape of a cow. It resembles the Dardanelles, in length, breadth and current, and like it, is a narrow separation which divides Europe from Asia; but it has many features familiar to itself. Instead of being a solitary stream running between deserted shores, it is a body of water full of life and animation, winding its way through banks covered with palaces and villages, shaded with magnificent forest trees, presenting to the eye, at every mile, a new scene of crowded existence.

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14. Dolmabahce Palace

    Dolmabahce Palace stands on the European shore of the Bosphorus and the with its various dependencies forms almost a little town, its gardens extending for a mile or more along the water's edge.

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15. Ortakoy

    Ortaköy Mosque, officially the Büyük Mecidiye Camii in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, is situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus.

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16. Bosphorus Bridge

    Which was inaugurated on October 29, 1973 on the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish Republic, has the longest span in Europe and the fourth in the world. This suspension bridge has a total length of 1560 metres (1706 yards) and a width of 33.4 metres (110ft).

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17. Rumeli Fortress

    RUMELISHISARI FORTRESS - (RUMELIHISARI CASTLE) At the narrowest point of the Bosphorus stands the Rumelihisarr Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror on the European shore. The Sultan himself on the 26th day of March 1452 laid the foundation stone of the Fortress with a view to controlling the passage of the ships through the Bosphorus and using it as a base for his attack on the city.

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18. Bebek Park

    In the 19th century, Ottoman aristocrats picked Bebek's ideal location to build their summer houses and palaces. Today it is still a popular residential area.

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19. Kanlica Meydani

    Kanlıca is a neighborhood on the Asian side of the Bosphorus strait, in the Beykoz district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Kanlica is known for its popular specialty, yogurt topped with castor sugar, offered in local restaurants and cafés.

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20. Anadolu Hisari Fort

    On the opposite bank stands the Anadoluhisari Fortress by the Göksu stream. This romantic castle which adorns the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus was built in 1395 by Sultan Bayazit, the Thunderbolt and named as "Güzelcehisar". Later it was extended by Mehmet, the Conqueror. Today, as the first possession of Turks on the Bosphorus, it serves as the landmark of Turkish rule.

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21. Kucuksu Pavilion

    KUCUKSU PALACE The summer Palace of Kucuksu, sometimes called the Palace of Göksu, is situated between the villages of Anadoluhisan and Kandilli on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus.

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22. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge

    The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosphorus strait. When completed in 1988, it was the 5th-longest suspension bridge span in the world; today it is the 24th.

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23. Beylerbeyi Palace

    BEYLERBEYI PALACE Situated on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus between the villages of Kuzguncuk and Cengelköy, the palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1865. Beylerbeyi Palace seen from the Bosphorus floats like a white vision in a fairy tale. It is the most extravagant royal house of the 19th Century on which millions were spent.

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24. KIz Kulesi

    KIZKULESI (MAIDEN'S TOWER - LEANDER'S TOWER) About 180 metres away from the shores of Üsküdar stands this tower which bears two different names. Europeans who named it the Leander's Tower thought that it was here where Leander was drowned while attempting to swim the Bosphorus to reach his beloved Hero, the priestess of Aphrodite. But, in fact, Leander never crossed here even in the legend which refers to the Hellespont, Dardanelles.

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25. Galata Koprusu

    The Galata Bridge is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. From the end of the 19th century in particular, the bridge has featured in Turkish literature, theater, poetry and novels.

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Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Velena Travel

Know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

2 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul: Multicultural Heritage & Captivating Bosphorus Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.