Bosphorus Sunset Cruise in Istanbul

It leaves about an hour before sunset, so the time moves with the season: 16:30 from November to January, 17:00 in October and 19:00 from May to July.

Hotel pick-up from Taksim and Sultanahmet is included, and you pay on board.

A shared yacht evening on the Bosphorus.

• Departs: About 1 hour before sunset — 16:30 to 19:00 by month
• Length: 150 minutes
• Pier: Kabataş (we send the exact meeting point on WhatsApp)
• Boat: Shared yacht, up to 20 guests
• On board: Snacks and savoury pastry; hot and soft drinks; Turkish coffee with Turkish delight
• Price: €60 per adult · €42 per child aged 2 to 7
• Pick-up: Free hotel pick-up from Taksim and Sultanahmet
• Payment: Reserve now, pay later (on board) Reserve the sunset yacht

Ask on WhatsApp

Prefer a guided tour that also goes into the Golden Horn, for €25? See the guided sunset tour.

Sunset time by month and our departures

Sunset in Istanbul is at 17:37 in early December and 20:40 in early July, because Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year.

Choose your travel month to see the departure alongside the sunset range. Select your date below and the form shows the corresponding yacht departure. We confirm the exact time and your hotel collection separately when you book.

Maiden’s Tower beyond a yacht’s bow in evening light.

Waterfront skyline seen over yacht railings as the sun goes down.

Watch the Bosphorus sunset cruise video.

Sunset on the Bosphorus — Istanbul On Boat.

What you see on the sunset cruise

The sunset yacht sails the Bosphorus from Kabataş, passing Dolmabahçe Palace and the Bosphorus Bridge. Heading north, the European shore is on your left and the Asian shore is on your right. Watch the waterfront change from daylight to evening from the deck, with time for photographs as you sail. This is a shared yacht outing, with up to 20 guests on board.

What's included on the sunset yacht?

• Snacks and savoury pastry.
• Hot and soft drinks.
• Turkish coffee with Turkish delight.
• Free hotel pick-up from Taksim and Sultanahmet.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed on the yacht. Tell us about dietary needs before reserving so we can discuss them with you. The refreshments suit an evening on the water; for a full meal and a show, consider the dinner cruise below.

Meeting point and hotel pick-up

The yacht leaves from Kabataş. We send the exact meeting point on WhatsApp. Add your hotel name and we confirm the pick-up time on WhatsApp; free pick-up covers hotels in Taksim and Sultanahmet.

You pay on board, so there is no prepayment to lose if your plans change. Please tell us on WhatsApp as early as you can if you need to cancel. If a cruise cannot run, we contact guests on WhatsApp.

Sunset yacht or guided sunset tour?

Choose the sunset yacht for a smaller group with snacks; choose the guided sunset tour for commentary and the Golden Horn at a lower price.

See the guided sunset tour for its route, departure for your month and reservation.

Is a Bosphorus sunset cruise worth it?

A sunset cruise is worth it if you are on the water while the light changes, which depends on the month you travel. The yacht suits you if you want a smaller shared group, refreshments and time to watch both shores. With 150 minutes on the water, it gives your evening a clear focus without making dinner part of the trip.

Compare the departure with the sunset range for your month, and bring a layer for the deck. If you want the boat just for your own group, request a Private yacht in Istanbul.

Sunset cruise or dinner cruise?

Choose sunset for daylight views and golden hour in 150 minutes. Choose the Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish night show for a 3-hour evening with a meal and a Turkish night show, from 20:30. The yacht includes snacks and drinks, so you can plan dinner separately; the dinner cruise brings the meal and entertainment into one evening.

Sunset cruise questions