I’m going to be honest: I’m a huge foodie and history buff, so any time I can combine the two while traveling is truly amazing.
When I was in Istanbul, I was taken aback by the rich and immersive culture, with music, delicious dishes, and architecture all around me. However, one of the best tours that combines them all seamlessly is a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus Strait.
I’ve decided to carefully select the 5 top Bosphorus dinner cruises in Istanbul so you don’t have to spend hours trying to sift through the endless options out there. Let’s jump right in!
Best Istanbul Dinner Cruises With Turkish Shows
| Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Private Table | Bosphorus Dinner / Lunch Cruise - Private and Customizable | Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show in Istanbul | ||
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| Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Bebek, in front of Kayalar Mescidi (no:131) | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | |
| Start: | 7:30 PM | Depends on the cruise | 8:00 PM | |
| Duration: | 3 hours | 2 to 3 hours | 7 to 8 hours | |
| Includes: | Alcoholic beverages, tour, appetizers, main courses, desserts, DJ, performances | Dinner, all fees and taxes, restaurant on board, bottled water, soda | Dinner, air-conditioned vehicle, Turkish Show, all fees and taxes | |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Bosphorus Dinner Cruises in Istanbul For 2024
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise – Private Table
- Bosphorus Dinner / Lunch Cruise – Private and Customizable
- Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show in Istanbul
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show w/ Private Table
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show
Bosphorus Dinner Cruises in Istanbul Reviews
1. Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise – Private Table
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 PM
- Includes: Alcoholic beverages, tour, appetizers, main courses, desserts, DJ, performances
I’ll start this off by saying that Istanbul has some of the most incredible restaurants in the world, and I do recommend exploring them.
However, if you really want an unforgettable evening that’s different from the norm, opt for the Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise – Private Table Tour. This 3-hour experience will take you on a legendary journey back in time, focused on Turkish history and beautiful scenery.
I appreciated the fact that it includes a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off so I didn’t have to deal with figuring out my own transportation or paying a cab to take me there.
Our transportation between sites was very comfortable, as it was a spacious, air-conditioned private van with big windows.
Our tour guide was very friendly, speaking both fluent English and Russian to ensure excellent communication and understanding of the different points of interest.
With this tour, we had the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Troy, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by mystery and intrigue, drawing countless visitors every year.
As we wandered through the ruins of the fabled city, our guide told us all about the different layers of history of this intense place.
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I remember reading Homer’s Iliad in school, which we learned about how it related to the real city, itself, along with the archaeological discoveries here.
I had no idea western Turkey was so naturally gorgeous, and it was wonderful being able to get a glimpse into the natural landscapes, with the charming villages nestled into the picturesque countryside.
This tour definitely left me with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the ancient world, and I loved learning about it as we snacked on tasty appetizers, as well as full meals!
Make sure if you go on this tour, you don’t miss out on trying their San Sebastian cheesecake while watching the belly-dancing show!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Bosphorus Dinner / Lunch Cruise – Private and Customizable
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Departure: Bebek, in front of Kayalar Mescidi (no:131)
- Departure Time: Depends on the cruise
- Includes: Dinner, all fees and taxes, restaurant on board, bottled water, soda
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect date night activity or way to spend celebrating a special event, this next tour should be on your radar. This tour will immerse you in a world of luxury and indulgence, with the option to choose either lunch or dinner.
The Bosphorus Dinner / Lunch Cruise – Private and Customizable tour will take you on a gorgeous yacht led by seasoned captains and expert crew to create a fantastic experience you’ll want to repeat.
I would’ve enjoyed a hotel pickup, but we did have 2 different meetup spots to select from, which made it still very convenient to access.
We started off in the bustling Bebek Sahili and set off, enjoying bottled water and soda as we cruised under Rumeli Fortress with breathtaking views of the castle!
We even got to pass under the infamous Bosphorus Bridge that connects Asia to Europe! We were not only served a delicious meal, but actually got a custom meal choice to ensure that everyone was happy with what they were eating.
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On board, they even had a photographer there to conduct a full-on photoshoot to provide mementos that don’t compare with anything else.
The service was better than just about any upscale restaurant I’d tried in the area, with a professional and courteous attitude from our waiters.
Not only that, but we had assigned crew members just for our group, so we knew exactly who we could ask questions to if we had any.
We were able to pass by the Mosque of Ortakoy and the incredible, ancient Hagia Sophia, among other important sites from the water. Overall, this is one of the best ways one could celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or other special event!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show in Istanbul
- Duration: 7 to 8 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:00 PM
- Includes: Dinner, air-conditioned vehicle, all fees and taxes
This is one of the most comprehensive tours of its kind here in Istanbul, and if you have the evening free, you have to try it at least once.
Not only that, but it’s one of the most budget-friendly dinner tours of this caliber! The Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show in Istanbul is led by experience captains and crew, so you can count on getting to see these sites in a way very few tourists can!
First off, they come pick you right up from your hotel lobby so you don’t have to stress trying to figure out how to get to a meet-up point.
The air-conditioned vehicle that took us between the different points was very comfortable, and was a nice way to relax and take in the sites.
Being able to try a sumptuous Turkish dinner made with the finest ingredients and traditional flavors was so exciting, and even more so with all the extras this tour offers.
There really is something for everyone in terms of cuisine, from savory and tender kebabs to mouthwatering mezes – taking us on an excursion through the different dishes of Turkey.
As we ate and sipped, we were treated to a mesmerizing Turkish show complete with live music, traditional dance performances, and many other showcases!
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I will say that for maximum comfort, make sure you bring cool clothes as it can get quite warm and humid during the warmer seasons.
Being able to view the glittering spires and minarets of the fabled Istanbul as the sun set and the sky became an electric orange was simply fascinating (and perfect for photos and videos!).
It was even better taking it all in while sipping on a freshly-made, rich Turkish coffee, with traditional folk music playing in the background.
If you can imagine, it felt like we’d stepped back in time or into some kind of postcard.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show w/ (Private Table)
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:00 PM
- Includes: Dinner, Unlimited local alcoholic beverages (beer, raki, gin…), 10 types of appetizers, Awesome belly dance shows, Anatolian traditional folk dance, Entertaining showman, Private Table
This next one is a fantastic evening of entertainment, good food, and a glimpse into the lively Turkish culture I’ve since come to fall in love with.
It is a wonderful way to get to understand more about the culture in just a few hours without having to walk around a museum or go on a walking tour. The Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show promises unlimited entertainment with precise organization and excellent customer service.
The included hotel pickup and drop-off was very welcomed, and the driver did a great job making sure that we got everywhere safe and sound.
Once we arrived at our vessel, we were escorted on board with time to make sure able to relax before the sun began to set. The communication at this point was excellent, and the staff were more than happy to answer any questions we had.
When we finally set sail, the sun began to just start to lower, creating a kind of golden glow that completely illuminated all of the water and surrounding buildings.
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As we cruised along, the crew explained to us and pointed out various important landmarks, such as the legendary Hagia Sophia.
We also got to see and learn about the Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Galata Tower, and other amazing structures that showed off the impressive architecture.
Something else I felt was important to note is that the boat was very nice, with plenty of space for sitting, entertainment, and walking around.
We enjoyed a delicious meal, complete with traditional dishes and unlimited wine, beer, and some cocktails! THe live entertainment with traditional Turkish dance and music was my favorite part, and I instantly became enamored with both!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 P
- Includes: Boat cruise, dinner, unlimited soft drinks, Turkish Night Show
Last but certainly not least, is the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show, which is a night full of fun and adventure wrapped up in one!
This is a great way to really check off multiple boxes in one tour without the extra costs. In fact, this is the most budget-friendly, best-bang-for-your-buck tour of its kind, and I’d recommend it for anyone who just arrived in Istanbul and want a fast and quick way of getting to know the culture.
Of course, it you’re new to a place you likely aren’t going to want to go on a tour where you have to figure out transport yourself.
Thankfully, this one included a convenient hotel pickup right from our lobby, so all we had to do is make sure we were there on time!
As we rode in our comfortable vehicle to the boat, our guide offered some interesting commentary on the history of the area as well as what we could expect once we were onboard!
Upon boarding the ship, we were greeted and then led to a private table where we were able to admire beautiful views of the city from the water!
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Seeing the Ottoman palaces and various bridges in this way was breathtaking – I hadn’t been able to see anything like it from land! This was right before we were served a hefty, 3-course dinner filled with traditional dishes that I actually thought tasted quite authentic!
After eating and sipping on wine, we had a full Turkish Night Show to enjoy, complete with belly dancing, music from a DJ, folk dancing, a henna ceremony, and much more!
It’s actually hard to believe we were on board for just 4 hours, as I feel like I got such an enriching experience! I would recommend this tour to literally anyone, no matter if it’s your first or fiftieth time in the fabled city of Istanbul!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Sites Seen
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The Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Private Table is our Editors Choice for the best Istanbul dinner cruise
