12 Lunch Cruises in Istanbul Worth Booking

1.Bosphorus Luxury Lunch Cruise & Black Sea Swimming Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 447 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $181Our pick

Spend about five hours cruising Istanbul’s Bosphorus aboard a modern, air-conditioned yacht. Enjoy a two-course lunch, snacks, tea, coffee, and water while an English-speaking guide explains Ottoman palaces, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront neighborhoods. In summer, you may swim near the Black Sea.

“The boat was nice and the staff were super cool. we didn't reach to the black sea so we didnt get to see it but thats ok. The guide told us about the chains thats were used to prevent ships from crossing the canal but he got the whole story wrong anyway thats just the information part. overall it was nice”

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2.Small Group Full-Day Istanbul: Old City, Bosphorus Cruise & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 225 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $108

Spend about seven hours touring Istanbul’s Old City and Bosphorus with a licensed guide, hotel pickup, museum tickets, lunch, and a boat cruise. You’ll see Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar, and waterfront palaces. Guides may include Ali, Mehmet, or Muzaffer.

“Very well organized tour. Tour guides- Ali (for the first part) and Jalal (for the second part) were very knowledgeable and helpful. We got enough time to absorb and explore each of the spots on the tour. Lunch was good. Will recommend to others.”

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3.Bosphorus and Black Sea Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 153 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Cruise from Kabatas past Ottoman palaces, bridges, and waterfront villages to Anadolu Kavagi. Enjoy a two-course Turkish lunch, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and guide commentary. In summer, the boat may stop for a Black Sea swim. Guide Taner has earned special praise for his lively explanations.

“We had a lovely relaxing afternoon on board, drinks and snacks were available all day, the guide was informative and humorous. The views from the boat were amazing, we enjoyed the stop off at a fishing village, I would definitely recommend this tour”

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4.Princes’ Islands Cruise with Lunch and Transfer Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 114 reviews · from $24

Spend about nine hours cruising from Istanbul to Kınalıada and Büyükada on a privately owned boat. You get a guided island walk, buffet lunch, four hours scheduled on Büyükada, hotel transfers, and time for swimming, mansions, bikes, or scooters.

“IF YOU BOOK WITHOUT FULL TRANSFER, DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. I recently booked a Princes' Island tour through Viator, and it was an absolute disaster from start to finish. The local tour operator provided completely inaccurate and vagRead more”

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5.Istanbul Lunch Cruise – Extended Bosphorus Cruise up to the Black Sea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $181

Sail from Kabatas through the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavagi on a four-hour lunch cruise. You’ll see palaces, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront mansions, with a Turkish meal, tea, coffee, and one soft drink included. Hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoglu, but return transport is not.

“Excellent cruise well organized good food got to dip my toes into the Black Sea, some went swimming, recommend it”

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6.Bosphorus Lunch Cruise with Guide & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $12Best value

Spend 2.5 hours on the Bosphorus aboard the AMOR yacht, sailing between Europe and Asia with lunch, unlimited soft drinks, and English or Russian guidance. See Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden’s Tower, and more from the water.

“The activity was great. Worth for the price. I will go again if I have the chance. But this the next time I will book with the company not with a broker.”

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7.Istanbul Prince Island Cruise with Lunch & Free Time

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 27 reviews · 8 hours · from $24

Spend eight hours sailing from Cibaliport to Büyükada, Heybeliada, and Burgazada. You get island-to-island ferry transport, lunch if selected, bilingual audio information on board, and free time to explore alone. There is no live guide on the islands, so bring comfortable shoes and a plan.

“The islands are beautiful and so worth visiting. I recommend it and enjoyed it”

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8.Bosphorus Dinner / Lunch Cruise – Private and Customizable

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $284

Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus privately with your own group for about two to three hours. Expect Turkish grilled meat, seasonal fish, vegetarian choices, water, and a soft drink while passing Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Bosporus Bridge, and Maiden’s Tower. Extras include transfers, wine, photos, and music.

“Got a great view of Istanbul, with good food and company! Would definitely recommend as an experience to share with your loved ones :)”

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9.Bosphorus Strait and Black Sea Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 18 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Spend five hours sailing from Kabataş along the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavağı and back. You’ll see palaces, fortresses, bridges, mansions, and mosques from the water, enjoy a two-course lunch with seasonal fruit, and have one hour to explore the Black Sea village.

“The whole experience was so much fun. We enjoyed the tour”

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10.Full-Day City Tour with Bosphorus Cruise and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 17 reviews · 7 hours · from $75

See Istanbul from both continents in seven hours, with a licensed English-speaking guide, cable-car ride at Pierre Loti Hill, Beylerbeyi Palace, Camlica Mosque, and lunch aboard a Bosphorus cruise. Pickup is available from selected European-side hotels only.

“Well organised and a really good guide throughout the tour. I think it would’ve been nicer if there was longer free times at some places. But also it is a long whole day tour and there was certain times for the boats”

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11.Old Town Tour and Bosphorus Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 8 hours

Spend eight hours with a private guide in Istanbul’s Old City, visiting the Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Mosque, and Hagia Sophia before lunch on a private yacht. See Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Rumeli Castle, and the Bosphorus Bridge from the water. Hotel pickup, tickets, and lunch are included.

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12.Istanbul Lunch Cruise on Bosphorus and Black Sea

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · from $149

At noon, a guide leads you from Istanbul’s European shore past Ottoman palaces, mosques, bridges, and fortresses toward Beykoz. You’ll eat mezes aboard the boat, see the Bosphorus from the water, spend about 30 minutes in Beykoz, and return to the starting point.

“Last August we were so lucky to have a great day on Bosphorous cruise. We booked a tour in advance. The service was great, we were met and placed . During the tour we contemplated the incredible views of the beautiful city with a cup of tea and delicious Turkish dishes. We were really impressed. Next time will repeat it with pleasure. Recommend to all”

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