Karl WP Beyer Visitors to the Istanbul metropolitan area are spoiled for choice if they seek individual experiences and excursions. Which of Istanbul's many sights should you visit: the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern or ... or ...? Each of these attractions is worth visiting. In case all these sights are familiar to visitors, we recommend a cruise on the Bosphorus liner. The strait separates Europe from Asia Minor and connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.
Battleship on the Bosphorus
The Nostalgic Bosphorus Tour - a recommended undertaking
It is a very special experience to travel by ship from Istanbul's Eminonu port district to Anadolu Kavağı on the Black Sea. Both private boat trips and trips with liners are offered. We cannot assess the private tour providers. We stick to Şehir Hatları's ships of the line. For us, the trip on the liner rounds off Istanbul's "must do" program. We have completed this uniquely beautiful trip several times in good weather and warmly recommend it to Istanbul's visitors.
Times are changing and so is the demand for tours like this. While 25 years ago the liners were mainly used by local residents like buses, many individual travelers have now discovered the Bosporus for themselves. The Şehir Hatları Line has long been marketing the trip as the "Nostalgic Bosphorus Tour", without any significant changes in the course of the journey.
The way from the cruise terminal to Eminonu pier
Most recently we visited Istanbul with Royal Caribbeans Mariner of the Seas. The ship lay on the Karakoy shore, where the new underground Galataport has been located since late autumn 2021. This ultra-modern cruise terminal is two kilometers from the departure point of the Bosphorus cruise.
From the terminal to the Eminönü pier for ferries and liners, you can either walk or take tram line 1. Both alternatives lead over the busy Galata Bridge. The tram stops at Tophane station near Galataport. The disembarkation is behind the Galata Bridge above Eminonu Pier. We generally recommend using Istanbul's trams. They are clean, inexpensive and on time.
Istanbul - Galata Tower
Since the walk from the ship's berth takes less than 30 minutes, we recommend this varied walk. At the end of the Galata Bridge, a staircase on the left leads down to the ferry terminal. The ticket price has remained unchanged for years at 25 Turkish lira. Currently, due to the devaluation of the Turkish currency, the price is the equivalent of 1,50 euros. We recommend arriving early, half an hour before departure, if you want to sit in the shade on the upper deck. The liner travels the route daily. Start time: 10:35 am. The return trip from Anadolu Kavağı starts at 15:00.
Unforgettable sights on both sides of the Bosphorus
The ship leaves on time. The journey to Anadolu Kavağı on the Asian side of the Bosphorus takes around 1¾ hours. The distance is 25 kilometers. The ship stops at five piers along the way.
The first thing we admire from the water is the 67 meter high Galata Tower, a relic from Genoese times. This is followed by the cruise ships docked at Galataport on the port side. Then we pass the Dolmabahçe Palace with its 600 meter front line to the Bosphorus. The magnificent building, completed in the 19th century, was the residence of the Ottoman sultans from 1856. At that time, Istanbul was still the capital of Turkey. The palace is followed by the Ortakoy Mosque and the first Bosphorus Bridge. It is one of the three bridges that connect Europe with Asia Minor.
The journey continues. On the Asian shore we see the white marble Beylerbeyi Palace, the former summer residence of the sultans. On the port side is Rumeli Hisarı, a massive fortress said to have been built by the Ottomans in 1452 in 120 days for the purpose of besieging Constantinople. From this we learn that the production factor work was already decisive for the success of a company in those distant times. By the way, opposite on the eastern side is Anadolu Hisarı, a smaller bailey.
The second Bosphorus bridge follows with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü. After that, the ship docks at Kanlıca in Asia Minor for the first time. Continue to Sariyer, back to the European side of the Bosphorus. The next stage will be Rumeli Kavağı again on the European side. The quaint town is appealing and peaceful with its two-story colorful houses. In Rumeli Kavağı there is no longer any trace of the hustle and bustle of Istanbul.
The last stage is Anadolu Kavağı. Our first impression: One fish restaurant follows the other. From the shore, employees of the restaurants invite the passengers of our ship to visit by waving. We assume that hundreds of day visitors use the gastronomy. Speaking of gastronomy, on the Bosporus ship, fellow passengers are provided with drinks, ice cream, etc. for a small fee.
Bosphorus - Anadolu Kavağı
Bosphorus - Anadolu Kavağı
Anadolu Kavağı - Ascent to Yoros Castle
For us, Anadolu Kavağı is not just the end of a cruise on a liner and a meal in a fish restaurant. We also recommend climbing up to Yoros Castle. The former fortress was built during the Byzantine Empire on the remains of a former Greek temple complex.
The way up to the castle is exhausting. It is unsuitable for people with restricted mobility. While a quarter of a century ago we were alone with ourselves and the world at a height of 200 meters, we can hardly save ourselves from visitors today. The view towards the Black Sea compensated for the effort. If you want, you can have a drink or a snack below the castle in a rustic restaurant with a large terrace and a friendly cat. One of the bars on the busy shipping route is also suitable for this project. It is important not to miss the liner that returns at 15:00pm
summary
We recommend this beautiful tour. This is especially true in the summer months when there is a lot of sunshine. Day visitors are offered a lot for little money. As Hamburgers by choice, the built-up slopes by the water often remind us of Hamburg's districts of Othmarschen and Blankenese.
Bosphorus - Investor Sariyer
Residential complex on the Bosphorus
As we heard many years ago, the price level for purchasing an attractive house or apartment with a view of the Bosphorus is comparable to Hamburg's posh addresses.