Turkey · City Tours

4-Hour Istanbul Boat, Coach and Cable Car Tour with Pierre Loti

4 Hours Round trip from Bosphorus Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Sail along the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia
02 Pass Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace, and wooden Ottoman houses
03 See the ancient City Walls, St Stephens Church, and the former Jewish district
04 Ride the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for views over the Golden Horn

Explore Istanbul in three different ways on this action-packed tour by boat, coach, and cable car. Sail along the Bosphorus Strait between two continents, passing landmarks such as Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace, and wooden Ottoman houses. Continue by coach to see the ancient City Walls, St Stephens Church, and the colourful former Jewish district. Then ride the cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for stunning views over the city and the Golden Horn.

Sail along the Bosphorus Strait past the imposing Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace, and wooden Ottoman houses.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Istanbul

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Istanbul by Boat, Coach, and Cable Car

Meet your guide and begin the tour.
Explore Istanbul in three fascinating ways on this action-packed 3.5- to 4-hour sightseeing tour by boat, coach, and cable car.
Sail along the Bosphorus Strait past the imposing Rumeli Fortress, Yildiz Palace, and wooden Ottoman houses.
Return to land to admire the ancient City Walls, the iron-panelled St Stephens Church, and the colourful former Jewish district on a coach tour.
Finish with a memorable cable car ride up to Pierre Loti Hill and relax over drinks, at your own expense, as you take in the spectacular views of the city and the Golden Horn spread out below with your Bosphorus tour guide.

Where this trip takes you

Bosphorus Strait, Rumelian Fortress, Pierre Loti Hill, Golden Horn

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Bosphorus 1 city · 4 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off by air-conditioned, non-smoking tour coach
Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional licensed Turkish tour guide
Service charges and local taxes

What's Not Included

Meals
Beverages
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses

Know before you go

City Walls: The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204; the second was by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453.
Drive-by bus to Golden Horn: As a natural and extremely secure harbour, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end.
Cable Car and Pierre Loti Hill: This hill was named after the famous French writer; you will enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Golden Horn and the city.
Boat trip on the Bosphorus: An amazing cruise between the two continents, Europe and Asia, along the Bosphorus by the Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas and mansions, and the Rumeli Fortress near the Black Sea.
Rumeli Fortress (from the sea, no interior visit): Istanbul was besieged many times before Mehmet the Conqueror took the city in 1453, but it managed to defend itself with the help of the Roman city walls.
The Lander's Tower (from the sea) (no interior visit): This is a small and attractive tower built on an islet at the entrance to the Bosphorus. It is one of the symbols of Istanbul. Used in the past as a watchtower and a lighthouse, it has been preserved in its 19th-century appearance.

Logistics