The Best Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Full Review and Was it Worth it?

Considering going on a Bosphorus dinner cruise? This was such a fun night in Istanbul but if you’re on the fence about booking, here’s everything you need to know!

When considering the best things to do in Istanbul, no doubt you’ve come across a Bosphorus cruise. Going for a cruise on the water is a great way to both see some of the city’s most famous historical sites and see the city itself from a whole different perspective. 

Plus, you can learn a lot and experience Turkish Culture in a very different way to what you would by simply wandering the streets of the city. 

But, are you wondering what it’s really like on board those boats and whether it’s worth the hype? Here’s everything you need to know about our experience. 

✅ I highly recommend this Bosporus Dinner cruise as it was fantastic!

Where is the Bosphorus?

The Bosphorus is a famous stretch of water in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s also known as the Istanbul Strait and forms part of the border between Europe and Asia. The European side of Istanbul is on one side of the Strait and the rest of Turkey is on the Asian side. 

This strait is one of the most significant waterways in the world. It’s the only route connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. As such, it’s been vital for shipping and the military for centuries.

The Bosphorus is approximately 19 miles long and varies in width from 700 meters to 3.5 kilometres.

What can you expect from a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise?

For our cruise, we had a 3-course dinner and entertainment included in the ticket. We had a meeting point just across Galata Bridge. Since we were staying in Galata, (in the incredible Perla Galata Hotel), we didn’t have too far to walk. 

Once the staff had checked our tickets, we boarded the boat and were led to our table while everyone else got on board. We had our own private table and, when we arrived the starters were already laid out. 

We had traditional Turkish food for starters consisting of stuffed vine leaves, mini koftas, Turkish cheese, salad, bread, and a selection of nibbles with dips. We ate this while waiting for the boat to finish boarding. 

Once everyone was on board, the staff came around and asked us what we wanted for our main course. There were three options – a meat dish, a fish dish, and a vegetarian dish. I went for the fish dish as I can never resist a fresh fish. 

We also had the option to go up to the bar for unlimited soft drinks or unlimited alcoholic drinks if you selected that option. There was music playing while we waited for our food and the boat started its cruise out of the harbour and along the Bosphorus. 

✅ I highly recommend this Bosporus Dinner cruise as it was fantastic!

The Entertainment

After dinner, the entertainment began. There were several different acts including Turkish bellydancers and a pair of very skilled salsa (I think?) dancers who were mesmerising to watch. 

There were also whirling dervishes. I still have no idea how they don’t get very sick spinning around constantly on a boat! The final act was a fire-eating and knife-throwing act. This was pretty nerve-wracking, but also super fun to watch. 

Then, the hosts put on some music and opened up the dance floor. We had the option to dance and many got up to have a boogie. However, I’ve never really been the dancing type, so, instead, I headed outside onto the deck, to watch the city lights gliding by. 

Istanbul looked completely beautiful all lit up with the boats on the water. It was a wonderful end to a day exploring the city.

The best Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

There are lots of different Bosphorus dinner cruises in Istanbul all for different price points and different times of the day.

If you want a cruise with great food, spectacular entertainment, and just a super fun way to end the day, I highly recommend this tour. 

This was the cruise we did and it was a great way to, not only see Istanbul all lit up, but also experience traditional Turkish dancing, food, and culture. 

✅ I highly recommend this Bosporus Dinner cruise as it was fantastic!

What is the best time to go on a cruise of the Bosphorus?

You can technically book a Bosphorus cruise at any time of day as there are day cruises as well as dinner cruises. However, I personally love a dinner cruise because it combines the tour with food and entertainment. 

Nonetheless, the daytime cruises tend to be more informational than the evening ones. So, if you want a guide to show you the city’s landmarks and point out things along the way, I’d recommend a tour during the day as well. 

In terms of time of year, the Bosphorus can be enjoyed all year round. We did our Bosphorus dinner tour in June, so it was super hot in Turkey. The evenings were still warm enough to be in shorts and a t-shirt on the water. 

Nonetheless, winter in Turkey can be much cooler. So, if you’re visiting in the off-season, you may well need to bring a jacket if you’re going on a cruise in the evening. 

How long is the dinner cruise?

We boarded the boat at around 20:30 and docked back at around 23:30. So, the cruise lasted roughly 3 hours. 

We were, however, asked to arrive at the port 30 minutes before departure, so you’ll need to factor this into your timings. There is also the option to add on hotel pick-up when you book the tickets, which is useful if you are staying further from the port.

In my opinion, 3 hours is the perfect amount of time. It gives you around an hour to eat, another hour for entertainment, and an hour to enjoy the views from the deck outside or go dancing.

✅ I highly recommend this Bosporus Dinner cruise as it was fantastic!

Is a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise worth it?

Yes, a Bosphorus dinner cruise is completely worth it. 

Not only do you get a great insight into Turkish Culture, but you also get entertainment, sample traditional (and delicious) food, and sail along one of the most impressive waterways in the world. We loved this tour, it was super affordable, and a great way to spend the evening.

I also think a daytime cruise of the Bosphorus is equally worth it, especially if you’re interested in history. There’s so much you can learn about the city from the water. If you have 3 days in Istanbul or longer, you could easily do both!

Also, check out my one-day itinerary and two-day itinerary for Istanbul for more Istanbul tips!

Overall, I definitely recommend a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus while you’re in Istanbul!

👉 Haven’t chosen where to stay yet? Check out my favourite hotels in Istanbul!