Are you interested in?

Bosphorus Tours
282 Tours & Activities

Shopping Tours
17 Tours & Activities

Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
2035 Tours & Activities
3 hours (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
More questions?
(888) 651-9785
Overview
Cruise along the landmark lined waters of the Bosphorus Strait and stroll through the entrancing Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar during this 3.5-hour guided tour in Istanbul. On this tour, you will discover the bazaar’s abundant spices such as cardamom, mint, cinnamon, and have free time to explore on your own. Then, learn about Istanbul’s history from your expert guide as you set course for a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. Aboard the ship, enjoy glimpses of famous Istanbul monuments like the impressive Rumeli Hisari Fortress and Dolmabahçe Palace.
- 3.5-hour Istanbul experience including a trip to the Spice Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise
- Listen to a guide while traveling and learn about the history of the 17th-century souk
- Explore the Spice Bazaar’s stalls independently and shop for a selection of edible treats
- Cruise along the Bosphorus, the famous stretch of water that borders two continents
- See top Istanbul attractions from the water including Dolmabahçe Palace and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress
Saved to wishlist!
For either the morning or afternoon tour, meet your guide for a pickup at your Istanbul hotel (European-side only). Then, begin your adventure with a drive to Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar. During the ride, listen to commentary about this lively and fragrant marketplace that has been in operation since the 17th century.
Arrive and start with a walk through the colorful corridors filled with stalls emanating aromatic herbs and spices. Then, listen to insightful information from your guide to help you find the best stalls as you venture off for 45 minutes of free time. During your stroll, experience why the Spice Bazaar is popular with both visitors and locals.
Depart the marketplace and drive to the waterfront for your Bosphorus Strait cruise. Hear how this historic expanse of water links the European and Asian continents. Then, climb aboard, find a seat, and set off for your memorable journey. As your vessel cruises by the Dolmabahçe Palace admire its elegant façade. Then, see one of the largest Ottoman palaces Beylerbeyi Palace and learn about the sultans who spent time off here. Continue along the European side and observe the impressive 15th century Rumeli Hisari. As the boat U-turns and strolls back along the Asian side, enjoy glimpses of less visited fortresses, mosques, palaces, and more that speckle the Bosphorus Strait’s coastline.
After the boat has docked hop back in your vehicle for a simple transfer to your hotel where your tour finishes.
Arrive and start with a walk through the colorful corridors filled with stalls emanating aromatic herbs and spices. Then, listen to insightful information from your guide to help you find the best stalls as you venture off for 45 minutes of free time. During your stroll, experience why the Spice Bazaar is popular with both visitors and locals.
Depart the marketplace and drive to the waterfront for your Bosphorus Strait cruise. Hear how this historic expanse of water links the European and Asian continents. Then, climb aboard, find a seat, and set off for your memorable journey. As your vessel cruises by the Dolmabahçe Palace admire its elegant façade. Then, see one of the largest Ottoman palaces Beylerbeyi Palace and learn about the sultans who spent time off here. Continue along the European side and observe the impressive 15th century Rumeli Hisari. As the boat U-turns and strolls back along the Asian side, enjoy glimpses of less visited fortresses, mosques, palaces, and more that speckle the Bosphorus Strait’s coastline.
After the boat has docked hop back in your vehicle for a simple transfer to your hotel where your tour finishes.
Itinerary
Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, and then start your experience with a pickup from your European-side Istanbul hotel. 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 as well as 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 of the city’s lesser-known gems: mosques, fortresses, palaces and more.
Having admired the sights of the Bosphorus Strait from the water, return to land and finally finish your experience with a hotel drop-off.
Duration: 1 minute
Admission Ticket Free
Traveler Photos
Traveler Tips
- "Only had about 20 minutes at the Spice Bazaar as election due in a couple of days and lots of noise and things happening." See review
Reviews
Questions?
Product code: 3795IST04
Explore Similar Things to Do
Food ToursBus ToursShopping ToursMarketsHalf-day ToursFood, Wine & NightlifeShopping & FashionTours & SightseeingTransfers & Ground TransportIstanbulFood Tours - VarnaBus Tours - VarnaShopping Tours - VarnaMarkets - VarnaHalf-day Tours - VarnaFood Tours - IzmirBus Tours - IzmirShopping Tours - IzmirMarkets - IzmirHalf-day Tours - IzmirFood Tours - PamukkaleBus Tours - PamukkaleShopping Tours - PamukkaleMarkets - PamukkaleHalf-day Tours - PamukkaleCategory
Pelit Chocolate MuseumChurch of St. Mary of the Spring (Balikli Kilise)Aqua Florya Shopping Center (Aqua Florya Alisveris Merkezi)Küçüksu Palace (Küçüksu Kasri)Istanbul City Walls (Walls of Constantinople)Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş Sütunu)Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (Türk Islam Eserleri Müzesi Hizmete)Sakip Sabanci MuseumPanorama 1453 History MuseumDolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi)Gülhane Park (Gülhane Parki)Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)Rustem Pasha Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Camii)Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Meydani)Hagia Irene (Aya Irini)Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage)Military Museum and Cultural Center Command (Askeri Müze)Isfanbul (Vialand)