• Chora Museum - Kariye Mosque, originally known as the Chora Church, is a historic Byzantine structure situated in Istanbul, Turkey. Constructed in the 4th century, it is renowned for its well-preserved mosaics and frescoes illustrating scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. During the Ottoman era, it was transformed into a mosque and later became a museum in the 20th century. Recently, it has been reopened as a mosque. Despite these changes, it remains a prime example of Byzantine art and architecture.
• Ahrida Synagogue - The Ahrida Synagogue is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most significant synagogues, located in the Balat district. It was established by Jewish settlers from Ohrid (Ahrid) in the Balkans, likely in the 15th century. The synagogue is noted for its unique boat-shaped bimah, symbolizing either Noah’s Ark or the Ottoman ships that provided refuge to Jews. Today, Ahrida Synagogue continues to be an active place of worship and a vital part of Istanbul’s Jewish heritage.
• Yanbol Synagogue - Yanbol Synagogue is a historic Jewish synagogue located in Balat, Istanbul. It was founded by Jews from Yambol (Yanbol), Bulgaria. Rebuilt in the 18th century, the building is recognized for its wooden interior and painted ceiling. Recently restored, it is one of Balat’s few remaining active synagogues and an essential part of the area’s Jewish heritage.
• Balat - Balat is a historic neighborhood on the Golden Horn in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Known for its multicultural past, it was home to Greek, Jewish, and Armenian communities for centuries. The area is famous for its narrow streets, colorful houses, and historic religious buildings like churches and synagogues. Today, Balat is a popular destination with its cafés, art studios, and vibrant street life, attracting both locals and tourists.
• Renkli Merdivenler - The Renkli Merdiven (“Colorful Stairs”) in Balat, Istanbul, is a popular photo spot known for its brightly painted steps and lively atmosphere. It connects steep streets in the neighborhood and adds a vibrant, artistic touch to Balat’s historic setting. Today, it is one of the area’s most visited street-art landmarks for both locals and tourists.
• Mother Mary Catholic Church - The Meryem Ana Greek Orthodox Church, located in Balat, Istanbul, is a significant religious building for the Greek Orthodox community. It is known for its traditional Byzantine-style architecture, ornate iconostasis, and rich interior decorations. The church has served the local Rum (Greek) community for centuries and remains an active place of worship, reflecting the multicultural history of Balat and the Golden Horn.
• Private Fener Greek High School - The Fener Greek Orthodox Secondary School and High School, located in Balat, Istanbul, is one of Turkey’s oldest and most prestigious minority schools. Founded in 1454, it has served the Greek Orthodox (Rum) community for centuries. The school is famous for its impressive red-brick building, often called the “Red Castle” or “The Castle of the Phanar.” Today, it continues to operate as a private minority school, preserving Greek culture, language, and educational traditions.
• Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George - The St. George Cathedral (Aziz George Katedrali), located in Fener, Fatih, Istanbul, is the spiritual center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, making it one of the most important churches in the Eastern Orthodox world. Although modest from the outside, the cathedral has a richly decorated interior with significant religious relics, icons, and a historic patriarchal throne. It continues to serve as the main church of the Orthodox Patriarchate and is a key symbol of the centuries-old Greek Orthodox presence in Istanbul.
• Saint Stephen’s Orthodox Church - The Sveti Stefan Church, also known as the Iron Church, is located in Balat, Istanbul. Built by the Bulgarian Orthodox community in the late 19th century, it is entirely made of prefabricated cast iron, making it unique in architecture. The church is a significant landmark for Istanbul’s Bulgarian Orthodox community and stands out for its unusual metal structure and historic charm.
• Kabataş Meydanı - This location is our meeting and starting point for the sunset cruise.
• Dolmabahce Palace - Dolmabahçe Palace, located in Istanbul along the Bosphorus, was built between 1843 and 1856 during the Ottoman Empire. It served as the main administrative center and residence of the Ottoman sultans, replacing Topkapı Palace for daily operations. The palace is famous for its European-style architecture, grand ceremonial halls, crystal chandeliers, and the largest collection of Bohemian crystal in the world. Today, it is a museum and a major tourist attraction, showcasing Ottoman luxury and history.
• Ciragan Palace Kempinski - Çırağan Palace, located on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, was originally built in 1871–1872 as an Ottoman royal palace. It is known for its lavish architecture, grand halls, and beautiful waterfront gardens. After falling into ruin in the early 20th century, it was restored and now operates as a luxury hotel while preserving its historic charm and Ottoman elegance.
• Ortakoy - Ortaköy is a vibrant neighborhood located on the European shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It is famous for its Ortaköy Mosque, bustling waterfront, cafés, art markets, and lively street life. The area is popular with both locals and tourists for boating, shopping, and nightlife, combining historic charm with a modern, trendy atmosphere.
• Bosphorus Bridge - The Bosphorus Bridge, officially called the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, is one of the three bridges connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, Turkey. Completed in 1973, it was the first bridge to span the Bosphorus. The bridge is a suspension design, about 1,560 meters long, and serves both vehicular traffic and symbolic importance, linking two continents and Istanbul’s cultural and economic life.
• Bebek - Bebek is an upscale neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul, located along the Bosphorus. It is famous for its waterfront cafés, restaurants, and parks, attracting locals and tourists for leisure, dining, and nightlife. Bebek is also known for its historic mansions and scenic views, making it one of Istanbul’s most charming and lively areas.
• Rumeli Fortress - Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı) is a historic fortress on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II to control naval traffic on the Bosphorus before the conquest of Constantinople. The fortress features tall towers, thick walls, and strategic positioning. Today, it is a popular tourist site and cultural landmark, offering panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, is a suspension bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, connecting the European and Asian sides of the city. Completed in 1988, it spans approximately 1,510 meters over the Bosphorus. The bridge is a vital part of Istanbul’s transportation network, handling heavy vehicular traffic and linking two continents.
• Anadolu Hisari Fort - Anadolu Hisarı is a historic fortress located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1395 by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I to control maritime traffic along the strait. The fortress features towers, thick stone walls, and a strategic location facing Rumeli Hisarı on the European side. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and an important symbol of Istanbul’s Ottoman history.
• Kucuksu Pavilion - Küçüksu is a neighborhood along the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, known for its historic waterfront and natural beauty. It is famous for the Küçüksu Palace (Küçüksu Kasrı), an Ottoman-era summer palace with elegant architecture and scenic views of the Bosphorus. The area is popular for strolling, sightseeing, and enjoying the waterfront.
• Kuleli Military High School - Kuleli Military High School, located in Üsküdar, Istanbul, is a historic military academy founded in 1845 during the Ottoman Empire. Situated on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, the school is known for its strategic location, impressive architecture, and long tradition of training military officers. It has played an important role in Turkish military education and remains a symbol of Ottoman and Republican-era military heritage.
• Beylerbeyi Palace - Beylerbeyi is a neighborhood on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, famous for the Beylerbeyi Palace, an Ottoman summer residence. The area is known for its historic mansions, waterfront views, and scenic streets, making it a popular spot for sightseeing and photography. Beylerbeyi combines historic charm with a peaceful Bosphorus atmosphere.
• Uskudar - Üsküdar is a historic district on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey, along the Bosphorus. It is known for its Ottoman-era mosques, seaside promenades, and traditional neighborhoods. Üsküdar serves as a cultural and transportation hub, offering ferry connections to the European side and stunning views of the Bosphorus and the historic skyline of Istanbul.
• Maiden’s Tower - The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a historic tower located on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built in ancient times and rebuilt several times, it has served as a lighthouse, watchtower, and defense post. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction with a café and restaurant, offering panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.
• Galata Koprusu - The Galata Bridge is a historic bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Golden Horn and connecting the districts of Eminönü and Karaköy. The current bridge is the fifth version, completed in 1994, and is famous for its fishermen, restaurants, and lively street life. It serves as an important transportation link and a cultural symbol of Istanbul.
• Galataport Istanbul - Galataport is a modern waterfront development in Istanbul, Turkey, located along the historic Karaköy and Galata coastline. It features a cruise terminal, shopping areas, restaurants, and cultural spaces, blending contemporary architecture with the historic harbor. Galataport has become a major tourist and leisure destination, revitalizing Istanbul’s waterfront.

• 2-hour Bosphorus sunset cruise
• Snacks: cookies, baklava, nuts
• Professional local English-speaking tour guide

• Public Transportation Tickets and Expenses
• Admission and Entry Tickets for Chora Museum

I joined a 5-hour Istanbul tour combining a walking tour and a Bosphorus yacht cruise. First, we explored Balat and the Kariye Museum with a live guide. Walking through Balat’s colorful streets, I saw historic churches and synagogues, and at Kariye, I admired the Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Next, we enjoyed a yacht tour along the Bosphorus, seeing Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Rumeli and Anadolu Hisarı fortresses, and the elegant mansions of Bebek and Beylerbeyi. The views from the sea offered a peaceful and scenic perspective of Istanbul’s skyline.
In just 5 hours, I experienced historic neighborhoods on foot and the stunning Bosphorus by yacht, making it an unforgettable tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.