- ruby43
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
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4
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Bosphorus Cruise
- September 15, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
ruby43 from North Charleston, South Carolina
While in Istanbul, a must do is the Bosphorus cruise. It takes about and hour, or you can pick half day cruises or full day cruises. The trip is taken on a "sea bus" or "ferry" which is one of the main means of transport there due to the commute from one side to the other of Istanbul for many locals. On a nice day, the cruise takes you all along the cost on both sides of the Bosphorus sea. Sights include many castles, forts, mosques...as well as ships and harbors of the Maritime Industry. You can also get a glimpse of some of the "more well-to-do" areas where the rich and wealthy have homes. It also takes you under the huge bridge that divides the European side from the Asian side. I don't have any photos, because I shot video the whole time, but it is a beautiful way to see another part of Istanbul.
From journal 25th Anniversary
Editor Pick
Bosphorus Cruise
- August 28, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
barbara from Atlanta, Georgia
I think it's an obligation to take a cruise on the Bosphorous if you're a tourist in Istanbul. One of the coolest things about this city is that it straddles two continents. It's an amazing thing to be able to ride on a boat, look to one side and think, "That's Europe." Then turn your head to the other side and think, "That's Asia." So, we planned a day to catch the Istanbul ferryboat at the docks by the Galata Bridge.
Any suggestions?
Check the ferry times. One should leave a little bit after 10am. BOARD EARLY. We made the mistake of getting onto the ferry close to the departure time. This was miserable because the ferry is BIG. The upper decks are open-air, but those seats are prime. They fill quickly. We were stuck downstairs...inside...on a middle bench. Yes, we could see through the windows, but the experience wasn't nearly as nice as it might have been. Fortunately, as people disembarked on various islands, we were able to move outside and have the breeze cool our cheeks. And we learned our lesson. We made sure we were in the front of the boarding line when it came time to get back onto the ferry to Istanbul in the afternoon.
How does the ticket work?
Unlike ferry rides to the Princes' Islands, you buy a round-trip ticket for a Bosphorous Cruise. This entitles you to disembark once and then get back on without paying any more money.
Where did we get off the boat?
We took the ferry to the very end of the line to the farthest dock on the Asian shore, which is Anadolu Kavagi. We chose this port because we knew there was an old fortress to which we could hike once we arrived. The hike is straight up, but there are lots of kids selling bottles of water along the way. Follow the signs, and it would be hard to get lost.
Was the hike worth it?
The Genoese "castle" is little more than a crumbling outpost at the top of a high hill. But, oh! The view! You can see in the distance where the Bosphorous pours into the Black Sea. And my son greatly enjoyed poking around the ruin itself, climbing onto its wall with all the other tourists for a better vantage point. We saw some people having a picnic though there isn't much grass or shelter from the sun. Bring a bottle of water in your purse or backpack.... and don't forget your camera.
What was Anadolu Kavagi like?
I bought three little purses in the village...but I saw the same things in Sultanahmet the next day...cheaper. So if you buy anything, be educated on the prices. Apart from shopping, the main thing to do is grab lunch or hike to the fortress. Of course, fish is big on the menus. We had ice-cream as we waited for the ferry to take us back to Istanbul.
From journal Turkey with Teenager
Bosphorus Cruise
- June 28, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
ruby43 from North Charleston, South Carolina
The Bosphorus Sea separates the East and the West. The Bosphorus Cruise can be all day or half a day. The sights are amazing along the Bosphorus. There are old palaces, fortresses, rich homes, commerce ships, and the big bridge that connects the East and West. Many opportunities for video and photographs of the area. A must see and do if in Istanbul, Turkey.
From journal 25th Anniversary