Guided Bosphorus Sunset Tour from Eminönü
Watch the light change over the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus with commentary on the sights you pass. This sunset boat tour in Istanbul lasts 2 hours from Eminönü.
The guided Bosphorus sunset tour costs €25 per adult. Children aged 2 to 7 pay €18. The route takes in the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus to the second bridge.
- Length
- 2 hours
- Departs
- About an hour before sunset; 16:30 to 19:30 by month
- Pier
- Eminönü; we send the exact meeting point on WhatsApp
- Group size
- Up to 100 guests
- Payment
- Reserve now, pay on board
Updated 25 October 2026 · Times and prices checked 25 October 2026
All photos
- Bosporus Bridge and Bosporus view at sunset
- Sunset boat cruising on the Bosphorus with a view of Bosporus at sunset
- A boat on Bosphorus
- Photo of Bosphorus and Istanbul cityscape at sunset
- Sunset tour boat cruising on the Bosphorus with a view of the Dolmabahce Palace
- Golden Horn Metro Bridge and Istanbul view at sunset
Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included in Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Nişantaşı and Taksim.
Departure changes with the season: 16:30 in December, 17:30 in October and 19:30 in June and July. Reserve now, pay on board.
- Departs
- About an hour before sunset; 16:30 to 19:30 by month
- Length
- 2 hours
- Pier
- Eminönü; we send the exact meeting point on WhatsApp
- Route
- Golden Horn, then the Bosphorus to the second bridge
- Commentary
- English, Arabic, French and Russian
- On board
- Turkish tea and Nescafé, WiFi, toilets
- Group size
- Up to 100 guests
- Price
- €25 per adult; €18 per child aged 2 to 7
- Pick-up
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Nişantaşı and Taksim
- Payment
- Reserve now, pay on board
- Bring
- A jacket or warm layer for the deck after sunset
What time does the sunset tour leave?
The sunset tour leaves Eminönü about an hour before sunset, moving from 16:30 in December to 19:30 in June and July.
| Month | Sunset in Istanbul | Sunset tour departs Eminönü |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17:45–18:18 | 17:00 |
| February | 18:19–18:53 | 17:30 |
| March | 18:54–19:27 | 18:00 |
| April | 19:28–19:58 | 18:30 |
| May | 19:59–20:28 | 19:00 |
| June | 20:29–20:40 | 19:30 |
| July | 20:23–20:40 | 19:30 |
| August | 19:41–20:22 | 19:00 |
| September | 18:50–19:39 | 18:00 |
| October | 18:03–18:48 | 17:30 |
| November | 17:38–18:02 | 17:00 |
| December | 17:36–17:44 | 16:30 |
These departures place sunset within the 2-hour trip. All times are Istanbul local time, UTC+3 year-round. Your reservation shows the departure for your date; we confirm hotel pick-up time on WhatsApp.
Which sights does the sunset tour pass?
The sunset Bosphorus tour starts in the Golden Horn, the inlet behind Eminönü, then enters the Bosphorus and sails to the second bridge.
Golden Horn
The route passes Bulgarian St. Stephen's Church, Fener and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Balat, the old Ottoman shipyard and the old fez factory.
Bosphorus
Look out for Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, Maiden's Tower, Ortaköy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Küçüksu Palace, Rumeli Fortress and Anatolian Fortress. The second bridge is Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. Heading north, the European shore is on your left and the Asian shore on your right.
What does the guide talk about, and in which languages?
Commentary on the sunset tour is given in English, Arabic, French and Russian. It covers the palaces, fortresses, churches and neighbourhoods on the route. Choose this tour for the history behind the buildings you photograph, from Golden Horn neighbourhoods to Ottoman palaces and the two fortresses facing each other across the Bosphorus.
What's included in the €25 ticket?
Your ticket includes:
- Guide commentary in four languages
- Turkish tea and Nescafé
- WiFi and toilets on board
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Nişantaşı and Taksim
No meal is served on this tour.
Hotel pick-up, drop-off and booking safely
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Nişantaşı and Taksim is included. Add your hotel name; we confirm pick-up time on WhatsApp. Staying elsewhere? Meet us at Eminönü using the meeting point we send.
Reserve this Istanbul sunset boat tour here without buying from waterfront sellers. Go straight to the meeting point we send; do not follow someone offering to take you to our boat.
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.
Guided sunset tour or sunset yacht?
Choose the guided sunset tour for commentary and the Golden Horn. Choose the sunset yacht for a smaller group with snacks.
| Guided sunset tour | Sunset yacht cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Pier | Eminönü | Kabataş |
| Length | 2 hours | 150 minutes |
| Group size | Up to 100 | Up to 20 |
| Adult / child aged 2–7 | €25 / €18 per person | €60 / €42 per person |
| Route | Golden Horn and Bosphorus to the second bridge | Bosphorus |
| On board | Commentary, tea and Nescafé | Snacks, savoury pastry, hot and soft drinks, Turkish coffee with Turkish delight |
| Suits | History lovers, families, a lower ticket price | Couples, smaller groups |
Is a Bosphorus sunset tour worth it?
A sunset tour in Istanbul suits you if you want both shores, the Golden Horn and commentary. With up to 100 guests, it is a larger shared boat; choose the yacht if group size matters more.
Want dinner on the water instead? The Bosphorus dinner cruise leaves Kabataş at 20:30 and lasts 3 hours. Prefer daylight? Choose the guided Bosphorus tour at 10:00 or 14:00.
Sunset tour questions
How much does the Bosphorus sunset tour cost?
The guided Istanbul sunset tour costs €25 per adult and €18 for children aged 2 to 7. Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sultanahmet, Aksaray, Nişantaşı and Taksim is included, and you pay on board.
How long is the sunset tour?
The tour lasts 2 hours from Eminönü and back.
What time does the sunset tour leave?
It leaves about an hour before sunset, so the time changes by month: 16:30 in December, 17:00 in November and January, 17:30 in October and February, and 19:30 in June and July. Your reservation shows the departure for your date.
Where does the sunset tour leave from?
It leaves from Eminönü. If you are not using our hotel pick-up, we send the exact meeting point on WhatsApp.
Does the sunset tour go into the Golden Horn?
Yes. The tour sails up the Golden Horn past Balat and Fener, then along the Bosphorus to the second bridge.
What should I wear?
Bring a jacket or a warm layer. The deck gets cool after sunset, even in summer.
Can children join?
Yes. Children aged 2 to 7 pay €18.