Bosphorus Cruise

The Bosphorus is the narrow channel, from one to three miles wide and about 15 miles long, that separates Europe from Asia. It runs from the Sea of Marmara to the south to the Black Sea to the north. The city of Istanbul is on both sides though the European side has far more city than the Asian side. There are two bridges but many ferries still ply the route.

This is a tourist cruise that starts at the central city neighborhood of Eminönü on the south end and continues to near the north end, where it stops for lunch and an optional visit to a ruined castle.

Right at the start, looking across the Golden Horn (a western inlet off of the Bosphorus) at the Galata neighborhood and the Galata Tower.

The dense city along the shore

The old and the new

Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the later homes of a Sultan

More old and new: a mosque next to the Bosphorus Bridge

Many marinas line the shore

The ruined castle at the end of the route

Looking back down at the town. You can walk or take a taxi

Looking north towards the Black Sea

Back to Blue Mosque, Mosaic Museum, Basilica Cistern

Continue to Around Istanbul