Our shared sunset cruise is the family-sized way onto the Bosphorus: about two hours on a luxury yacht, with a live English-speaking guide pointing out the palaces, mosques and bridges as they pass, and time left for dinner afterwards. The yacht leaves from Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal. Sunset moves through the season, so the departure time depends on the date: the booking calendar shows it for the date you choose, boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, and your written confirmation is the time that applies.
Children are priced for families: infants 0–3 sail free, children 3–12 pay half of that day's Without Wine adult fare, and guests aged 13 and over pay the adult fare. Adults choose Without Wine at €34 (€30 Monday to Thursday) or With Wine at €40 (€35 Monday to Thursday) — two glasses of wine per adult; this option is for adults only. The midweek price and the child discount are applied automatically when you book, with no code; there is no group discount on the shared cruise.
On board there is tea, Turkish coffee, iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice and bottled water, and a snack platter with mixed nuts, crackers and a fresh-fruit plate from the moment you board — a snack, not a meal. The route heads north along the European shore past Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Ortaköy Mosque to the First Bosphorus Bridge, turns at a point the captain picks after the bridge by traffic and light, and comes back with the Asian shore and Maiden's Tower on the other side. Pay in cash on board. If you would prefer another method, such as bank transfer or SWIFT, message us. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
2 hours · Shared Bosphorus cruise · book direct
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
From €30
The Bosphorus Sunset Cruise is a shared yacht cruise of 2 hours past Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy and the First Bosphorus Bridge, with a live guide and light onboard service. It costs from €30 per person and departs at 16:00 from Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal.
Prefer the whole boat to yourselves? A private sunset yacht starts at €220 for the 2-hour minimum.
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Departure
- 16:00
- Meeting point
- Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal
- Included
- Guide, drinks, snacks
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
- Licensed operator
- TÜRSAB A #14316
Choose your date and package
Pay on board in cash — no online payment.
Your guide and what is on board
Live guide. On-board commentary at every Bosphorus landmark.
Route guide. Landmark-by-landmark notes you can read at your own pace.
Digital companion. Free, no app to install; open it once you are on board.
What the guide includes
Live English-speaking guide. On-board commentary at every Bosphorus landmark.
Written route guide. Landmark-by-landmark notes you can read at your own pace.
Live Bosphorus audio guide in 12 languages. Open the live route map, identify landmarks from the water and listen in your preferred language. Nothing to install; location access is optional.
What happens on the tour
What happens on the tour
Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal → north along the European shore past Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Ortaköy → under the First Bosphorus Bridge → the captain picks the turning point after the First Bridge by traffic and light → south with the Asian shore and Maiden's Tower in view → back to Karaköy
Step-by-step route timeline
- Before departureMeet at Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı KemalBoarding starts 15 minutes before the departure time shown for your date. Arrive a little earlier so the children can settle in; the berth pin comes with your confirmation.
- Outward legEuropean-Shore Landmark GameFamilies can look for Dolmabahçe, Çırağan, Ortaköy Mosque and the First Bosphorus Bridge as the yacht heads north.
- Turning pointThe Captain's Turning PointAfter the First Bridge the captain brings the yacht round; traffic, light and the time left decide exactly where.
- Return legAsian-Shore Return ViewsThe return changes the viewing angle toward the Asian shore and Maiden's Tower as the light moves toward blue hour.
- About 2 hours after departureReturn to KaraköyThe loop normally finishes in the confirmed Karaköy area; exact arrival timing can move with Bosphorus conditions.
Departure: Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal — 16:00Open in Maps
What stands out on Family Sunset Cruise
- Dolmabahçe Palace
- Ortaköy Mosque
- First Bosphorus Bridge
- Maiden's Tower
Included
- 2-hour shared Bosphorus sunset sailing on a luxury yacht
- Live English-speaking guide narrating the route
- Hot drinks — tea and Turkish coffee
- Cold drinks — iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice and bottled water
- Snack platter — mixed nuts, crackers and a fresh-fruit plate
- 2 glasses of wine per adult on the With-Wine option
Not Included
- Wine service outside the selected sunset option
- Other alcoholic drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (+ extra charge)
- Tips
About Family Sunset Cruise
Choose your Family Sunset Cruise package
Without Wine
2-hour shared golden-hour cruise with light onboard refreshments and no wine included
- 2-hour sunset sailing on a shared luxury yacht
- Live English-speaking guide on board
- Hot drinks — tea and Turkish coffee
- Cold drinks — iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice and bottled water
- Snack platter — mixed nuts, crackers and a fresh-fruit plate
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Wine
Shared evening departure on the same 2-hour Bosphorus route, with 2 glasses of wine per adult
- 2-hour sunset sailing on a shared luxury yacht
- 2 glasses of wine per adult
- Hot drinks — tea and Turkish coffee
- Cold drinks — iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice and bottled water
- Snack platter — mixed nuts, crackers and a fresh-fruit plate
- Live English-speaking guide on board
Who it suits
- Families with children — infants sail free and children pay half
- Parents who want the Bosphorus in two hours rather than a late dinner programme
- Grandparents and multi-generation groups on one shared booking
- First-time Istanbul visitors
Before you book
- Adults pay EUR 34 Without Wine or EUR 40 With Wine; on Monday to Thursday departures that becomes EUR 30 and EUR 35, and checkout applies the lower price without a code
- Each departure is a small group of up to 30 guests sharing one luxury yacht; we never board more than 30 guests, with no overbooking beyond capacity
- Meet at Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal. The booking calendar shows your date's departure time, boarding opens 15 minutes before it, and the exact berth follows after you book
- How far north the yacht turns, and the order and distance of the landmarks, can change with the weather, Bosphorus traffic and operating instructions
- Wine is the only difference between the two options — the route and the sailing time stay the same
- Your guide speaks English and points out each landmark live as the yacht passes it
- Hotel pickup and drop-off cost extra and can be added to this shared cruise
Free Cancellation. Full refund available with 24+ hours advance notice. No questions asked.
Family Sunset Cruise — On Board the Bosphorus
Family Sunset Cruise — On Board the Bosphorus
On-board preview
After you book
1. Request received. Your booking reference and request summary arrive by email right away.
2. We confirm. We confirm your booking, boarding time and pier on WhatsApp before the day.
3. Pay on board. Nothing is charged online — you pay the crew on the day, in cash.
Cancellation. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Clear Online Pricing
Bringing children
- Infants aged 0–3 sail free. Children aged 3–12 pay half of that day's Without Wine adult fare; guests aged 13 and over pay the adult fare. The discount is applied automatically when you book.
- The With Wine option is for adults only; children and infants travel on the Without Wine option.
- On board there are tea, juice, lemonade, water and a snack platter with mixed nuts. It is a snack, not a meal. If your child has a nut allergy, bring their own snack.
- A life jacket is required on board for every passenger. Keep small children within reach on the open deck, especially at the rail.
- Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure at Karaköy Pier. Arrive a little early so the children can settle in.
- Strollers, child seats and special requests: ask us on WhatsApp before you book.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise — questions and good to know
Travelling with children? See Bringing children
How much is the sunset cruise for a family with children?
Adults (13 and over) pay €34 on the Without Wine option, or €30 on a Monday-to-Thursday sailing. Children aged 3–12 pay half of that — €17, or €15 Monday to Thursday — and infants 0–3 sail free. Two adults, one child and one infant on a Tuesday pay €75 in total. The discounts are applied automatically when you book.
Can children be booked on the With Wine option?
No. The With Wine option (€40, €35 Monday to Thursday, two glasses of wine per adult) is for adults only; children and infants travel on the Without Wine option.
What do children get to eat and drink on board?
Tea, Turkish coffee, iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice and bottled water, plus a snack platter with mixed nuts, crackers and a fresh-fruit plate. It is a snack, not a meal, so plan dinner before or after. The platter includes mixed nuts — if your child has a nut allergy, bring their own snack.
What time should a family arrive, and where?
The yacht leaves from Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal. The departure time moves with the season: the booking calendar shows it for the date you choose, and boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. Come a little earlier so the children can settle in; the T1 tram Karaköy stop is a few minutes' walk away. The exact berth pin comes with your confirmation.
More questions (7)
How long is the cruise?
About 2 hours, finishing back in the Karaköy area and leaving time for dinner.
Is it safe for small children?
Turkish maritime rules require a life jacket on board for every passenger. Keep small children within reach on the open deck, especially at the rail when everyone moves across for photos.
What if we need to cancel or the weather turns?
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. If conditions make sailing unsafe, the departure can be moved to another slot or refunded under the booking policy. Pay in cash on board. If you would prefer another method, such as bank transfer or SWIFT, message us.
What is the Istanbul sunset cruise (sunset cruise Istanbul) and how much does it cost?
It is a shared cruise of about 2 hours on a luxury yacht from Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal, with a live English-speaking guide, tea, Turkish coffee, soft drinks and a snack platter. Without Wine is €34 per person (€30 Monday to Thursday); With Wine is €40 (€35 Monday to Thursday). The tour that international sites list as "sunset cruise Istanbul", "sunset tour Istanbul" or "Bosphorus cruise tour" is this one. TÜRSAB-licensed (#14316).
What time is sunset in Istanbul, and when does the cruise leave?
Sunset moves through the year, so the departure moves with it. The booking calendar shows the departure time for the date you choose, boarding starts 15 minutes before it, and the time in your written confirmation is the one that applies.
Is there a Bosphorus night cruise or river cruise?
The Bosphorus is a sea strait between Europe and Asia, not a river, so an Istanbul river cruise search usually means a Bosphorus boat trip. The sunset cruise starts in the golden hour and comes back in the blue hour as the shoreline lights come on. For a full evening with dinner, see the shared Bosphorus dinner cruise.
Can I take a Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü?
The shared sunset cruise does not leave from Eminönü; it boards at Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal, about an 8-minute walk from Eminönü. The exact berth is sent as a map pin with your confirmation. Our daytime Bosphorus cruises, by contrast, do leave from Eminönü Pier beside the Galata Bridge.
Good to know: route, getting there, quick answers
Family route planner
What your group sees next on the sunset loop
Think of the cruise as an outward leg and a return leg, not a fixed sequence of photo stops. This planner helps families follow the direction while keeping the day-of instructions flexible and accurate.
01 · At the pier
Use the Karaköy pin in your confirmation
The meeting area is in Karaköy, but the exact berth and vessel position can move. Follow the written pin sent after booking and be ready at Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal for boarding, which starts 15 minutes before the departure shown in your booking calendar.
02 · Heading north
Play landmark spotter on the European shore
Northbound, the European shore comes first: Dolmabahçe, then Çırağan, then Ortaköy Mosque at the foot of the First Bosphorus Bridge. Give the children the palace gates, the waterfront mansions and the bridge towers to spot while the guide talks through what is coming.
03 · The turn
The captain chooses the safe turning point
After the First Bridge the captain brings the yacht round. Traffic, wind, current, light and how much of the sailing window is left decide where, so the exact turning point is the captain's call on the day.
04 · Heading back
Return with the Asian shore in view
The southbound leg changes the angle toward Beylerbeyi, Kuleli, Üsküdar and Maiden's Tower. Which landmarks appear closest can vary, and the yacht normally completes its roughly two-hour loop back in the confirmed Karaköy area.
Plan for comfort, not a guaranteed sunset
- •Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure; the departure time for your date is shown in the booking calendar.
- •Sunset colour and visibility depend on cloud and weather.
- •Bring a light layer for the return, even after a warm day.
- •Keep children beside an adult when moving between deck areas.
Golden Hour Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul — GoldenSunsetTour
One shared luxury yacht, two ways to book it: Without Wine at €34 or With Wine at €40, falling to €30 and €35 Monday to Thursday. Children 3–12 pay half and infants under 3 come free. You board at Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal 15 minutes before the time your date shows in the booking calendar, and the loop normally ends back in Karaköy about 2 hours later.
The departure clock follows the sun, not a fixed timetable. The 2026 timetable: 18:00 from 1 August to 6 September, 17:30 from 7 September to 25 September, 17:00 from 26 September to 31 October and 16:00 — boarding from 15:45 — from 1 November onward. Across that span Istanbul's sunset moves from about 20:20 to about 18:00, so each earlier start keeps the two-hour loop in the golden-hour light. For later dates, the booking calendar shows the time for your date.
What time is sunset in Istanbul?
Sunset at Karaköy pier on the 15th of each month in 2026, Turkey time (UTC+3 all year — Turkey does not change its clocks). Earlier or later in the month your date can sit up to 26 minutes either side, most in August, September and October.
| Month | Sunset (about) |
|---|---|
| January | 18:01 |
| February | 18:39 |
| March | 19:11 |
| April | 19:44 |
| May | 20:15 |
| June | 20:38 |
| July | 20:35 |
| August | 20:03 |
| September | 19:13 |
| October | 18:23 |
| November | 17:45 |
| December | 17:37 |
Calculated with the standard sunrise equation for 41.02° N, 28.97° E and checked against timeanddate.com on 19 October 2026: every month within a minute.
The midweek saving is a fixed amount per ticket: Monday to Thursday costs €4 less without wine (€30 instead of €34) and €5 less with wine (€35 instead of €40). A child aged 3–12 pays half of that day's no-wine fare — €15 Monday to Thursday, €17 Friday to Sunday — even when the adults choose wine. Two adults and two children without wine pay €90 on a Monday and €102 on a Friday.
In Istanbul for 31 December and want to be on the water at midnight rather than at sunset? The New Year's Eve Bosphorus cruise is a separate night, quoted on request: a private yacht for two to about twenty guests, a shared boat or a large party ship, with dinner and the countdown on deck.
| Who it suits | Families, grandparents and first-time visitors who want the Bosphorus at golden hour in one short sail — no dinner programme, no private charter. |
|---|---|
| On the water | About 2 hours from Karaköy Pier — Balıkçı Kemal. The booking calendar shows your date's departure time, and boarding opens 15 minutes before it. Sails all year. |
| Adult fares | Without Wine €34, With Wine €40. Monday to Thursday they drop to €30 and €35, applied at checkout without a code. |
| Children | Ages 3–12 are charged half the per-person rate; children under 3 come free. The wine is poured for adults only. |
| Booking | Reserve here with no OTA markup, then pay the crew in cash on board — or message us for bank transfer or SWIFT. |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure; the whole amount comes back. |
| Operator | GoldenSunsetTour sells this cruise directly; the booking is held by MERYEM YILDIZ TURIZM SEYAHAT ACENTASI, TÜRSAB A-Group #14316. |
Who runs this tour
GoldenSunsetTour sells and operates this cruise directly. The booking is made with the licensed travel agency below, not through a marketplace.
- Brand
- GoldenSunsetTour (goldensunsettour.com)
- Licensed agency
- MERYEM YILDIZ TURIZM SEYAHAT ACENTASI
- TÜRSAB licence
- A-Group #14316
- Address
- Arap Cami, Yelkenciler Cd., 34438 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
- +90 544 898 98 12
- info@goldensunsettour.com
Still comparing operators? Read our 2026 guide to 6 Bosphorus sunset cruise operators (pricing, TÜRSAB licensing, response time and refund policy side by side). Sailing with children? The golden-hour guide for families with kids covers timing by season, the onboard snack tray and what a family pays: under-3s sail free, ages 3–12 are half price on the sunset cruise and ages 3–7 on the dinner cruise.
How to get there
Karaköy boarding point — Balıkçı Kemal
Meeting point: in front of Balıkçı Kemal restaurantKaraköy ferry pier, next to Balıkçı Kemal restaurantKaraköy / Beyoğlu, 34421 İstanbul Open in Google Maps- Tram (T1): Ride to the Karaköy stop, then walk a short way down to the water — Balıkçı Kemal sits at the ferry pier.
- Funicular (Tünel / F2): Coming from İstiklal Caddesi? The Tünel funicular runs downhill from Beyoğlu, and its lower station is in Karaköy.
- Ferry: Any ferry to Karaköy (from Kadıköy, Üsküdar or Eminönü) lands a few minutes' walk from the meeting point.
- Taxi: Ask for "Karaköy iskele, Balıkçı Kemal" — guests gather for boarding in front of the restaurant at the ferry pier.
