What’s it Like on a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise? Everything You Need to Know 

If you’ve spent time reading travel blogs or watching Istanbul travel videos on YouTube, you’ve probably seen the famous Bosphorus dinner cruise come up again and again. 

Touted as one of the must-do activities in Istanbul, it promises an evening of lively entertainment, Turkish food, and a front-row seat to the city’s legendary skyline. 

But what’s it actually like? Is it fun? Is it a tourist trap? And most importantly: is it actually worth booking a Bosphorus dinner cruise???

As someone who lives in Istanbul and have a lot of friends and family who visit, we’ve certainly gone on lots and lots of different Bosphorus cruises over the years, including on private luxury yachts, sunset cruises, basic city ferries, and, of course, the classic Bosphorus dinner cruises.

You could say that we’re practically Bosphorus cruise experts at this point. 😄

In this article, we’ll go over exactly what to expect on a Bosphorus dinner cruise, what’s included, what kind of food and entertainment to expect, and much more — so that you can make your own decision if it’s worth booking or not. 

Think of it as ½ Bosphorus dinner cruise review and ½ “everything you need to know” guide — let’s get started!

What’s Included on a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise?

Most Bosphorus dinner cruises follow a similar structure, but the vibe can vary a lot depending on the company, price point, and time of year.

On a Bosphorus dinner cruise, you’re definitely getting two things: the dinner and the cruise. 😀

Depending on the cruise you choose, the experience can range from a simple floating dinner with nice views to a full-on entertainment night with dancing, live music, drinks, and more.

With that in mind, let’s break down what’s typically included on a Bosphorus dinner cruise:

The Bosphorus Cruise Route

Most Istanbul dinner cruises follow the same general route: You’ll leave the dock and make your way up the Bosphorus. 

As you head north (on the left side) you’ll see iconic landmarks like the Galata Tower, Karaköy, Galataport, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, the Bosphorus Bridge (Istanbul’s most famous bridge), the cute wooden houses of Arnavutköy, and Rumeli Hisarı (Rumeli Fortress).

At the halfway point, the boat makes a U-turn just past the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and begins its return journey, this time closer to the Asian side.

Here you’ll see some of the most beautiful landmarks of Istanbul’s Asian side, including Anadolu Hisarı (Anatolia Fortress), the colorful wooden mansions of Istanbul’s rich and famous, Beylerbeyi Palace, and parts of Kuzguncuk and Üsküdar. 

Near the end, the boat circles the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) and heads back toward port. Keep an eye out on this final stretch: you’ll catch glimpses of Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Galata Bridge all lit up for the night. It’s absolutely gorgeous and a lovely finale to your cruise! 

💡 Travel Tip: If you want to learn more about any of the landmarks mentioned, click on the links above — we have full travel guides for many of them!

If you’re thinking, “Wow, I hope I see all those cool landmarks!”, then we have some good news. 😉

Most Bosphorus dinner cruise ships are double- or triple-decker. That means there’s usually a main dining floor below (sometimes two), plus an open-air terrace where you can go for fresh air and amazing views (no need to take streaky photos from the cabin window downstairs 😁).

Pickup & Check-In 

The majority of Bosphorus dinner cruises depart from either Kabataş pier or Karaköy pier. 

Typically, cheap Bosphorus cruises don’t include transportation, so you’ll need to make your own way to the pier. No worries, though; both locations are easy to reach by tram, metro, bus, or taxi. 

Mid-range and luxury Bosphorus cruises will either include hotel pickup or transfer from central areas like Sultanahmet, Taksim, or Galata. If pickup is included, a van will take you directly to the pier. 

We recommend checking the fine print before you book so you know what transfer is (or isn’t) included. Some cruises have multiple booking options, where you can add on a hotel transfer for around $10 per person. 

After booking, you’ll get instructions either in the booking email (as we did when we booked this cruise on GetYourGuide) or via WhatsApp (most Bosphorus cruises have a dedicated contact person). 

It’s recommended that you should arrive at the pier around 15 to 20 minutes before departure to get checked in and taken to your seat. (Travel tip: Arriving a little early helps you get a better seat!)

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Food

So… how’s the food on a Bosphorus dinner cruise?

To be very honest, don’t expect anything close to a Michelin-star tasting menu (unless you’re booking one of those ultra-luxury Bosphorus yacht experiences — in which case, take us with you, please 😇).

Most dinner cruises serve a very standard, no-frills meal, the kind you’d typically find at an average Turkish restaurant. (By the way, this isn’t a critique by any means! We just want to set realistic expectations.) 

Here’s what’s typically served on board a Bosphorus dinner cruise:

Appetizers: An assortment of Turkish meze (cold starters), a small salad, pastry (like paçanga böreği) and/or some cold cuts/cheese. Sometimes with a bread basket.

Main Course: Usually a choice between grilled chicken, fish, Turkish meatballs (köfte), or a vegetarian option. Often served with rice or bulgur and grilled vegetables.

Dessert: A portion of a traditional Turkish dessert (like baklava) and cut fruit are the most common. Some higher-end cruises will offer cake and European-style sweets. 

For reference, the last Bosphorus dinner cruise we went on (this one!), we were served a plate of meze to start with (more specifically, 3 types of cheese, ciğ köfte, a vegetable salad, and Amerikan salatası). There was also a bread basket.

For the main dish, Ms. Kedi (that’s me!) opted for a mixed meat dish, which was 2 chicken skewers (tavuk şiş), 2 meatballs (köfte), and a side of rice and french fries. 

Meanwhile, Ms. Kedi’s mom opted for the grilled fish (çipura, or Gilt-head bream in English), which came on a bed of simple salad and a side of onions and a lemon wedge.

Dessert was very simple: two slices of melon and some grapes. Like we said, these cruises usually focus on the whole package (i.e. entertainment, views, atmosphere) instead of perfecting the food. 😅 

Drinks 

Most Bosphorus dinner cruises include basic drinks in the ticket price, i.e. water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee.

🍷 Alcohol is almost always extra. Most cruises give you the option to add alcohol when booking (look for something like “Dinner with Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks). 

Some also let you order à la carte once you’re on board. For example, on the last dinner cruise we took, there was a QR code on each table that guests could scan and order. The most common drinks were beer, wine, rakı, and different cocktails. 

✨ Check availability and book the best Bosphorus dinner cruise here! → 

Entertainment 

Another reason why evening Bosphorus cruises are so popular is the entertainment they offer. Where else can you enjoy a Bosphorus cruise with dinner and a Turkish show and gorgeous views of Istanbul? 😁

If you’re wondering what the ‘live entertainment’ part of Bosphorus dinner cruise with live entertainment means, here’s what’s typically included: 

📌 Turkish folk dances with colorful costumes and regional attire
📌 A whirling dervish performance 
📌 A belly dancing show (usually with audience participation if you’re brave!)
📌 Dances from neighboring countries (one cruise we were on had Georgian performers)
📌 Various other dances, like ballroom or Latin (on some cruises)

Each cruise is slightly different, but there’s always something happening between dinner courses. If you’re seated a little far from the stage, don’t worry — some ships have TV screens that livestream the show so everyone can still enjoy the performance!

Compared to a regular ferry ride or dinner at a restaurant, a Bosphorus dinner cruise with entertainment gives you way more for your money.

Service

In our experience, the staff on most Bosphorus dinner cruises are friendly and hospitable, even when things get hectic. Most waiters speak enough English to help you with your order, drinks, or questions.

Some cruises also have an onboard photographer who will come around and take posed photos during dinner or on the upper deck. If you like the shots, you can buy printed copies for an extra fee.

As with most things in Istanbul, service quality depends on the cruise company. On better cruises, the staff are quicker with drink refills, more attentive, and generally seem like they enjoy the job. On cheaper cruises, expect slower pacing and the occasional missed request (but still kind service overall).

Timing

Istanbul dinner cruises last around 3 to 4 hours, depending on the company and the time of year.

For example, ours started around 8:00 PM and ended at 11:30 PM, which is the standard for most evening cruises. 

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Prices

A typical Bosphorus night cruise in Istanbul costs between $25 and $45 per person, depending on the experience. 

Prices can go up based on a few key factors:

📌 Transfers & pickup: Cruises that include hotel pickup/drop‑off will cost more
📌 Drinks & alcohol packages: Whether alcohol is included or sold separately
📌 When you book: You can get a nice discount (up to 20% off!) for last-minute deals on GetYourGuide

✨ Book this top-rated Bosphorus dinner cruise (4.8/5 ⭐!) here! → 

Is it Worth Going on a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise? Pros & Cons

Now that we’ve gone over what’s typically included, there’s one final question: is a Bosphorus dinner cruise really worth it? 

For some travelers, it’s the highlight of their trip. For others, it’s a fun but forgettable evening.

Below, we’ve broken down the main pros and cons of a Bosphorus dinner cruise in Istanbul so you can decide if it’s the right experience for you.

PROS

Fun night out for everyone — Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or with your in-laws, it’s a pretty universally enjoyable experience. Romantic views? Check. Fun music and dancing? Also check. After all, nobody ever says no to a sparkling skyline and some cool whirling dervishes.

A great and budget-friendly activity — You can find Bosphorus dinner cruises starting at just $20 per person, while higher-end ones with fancier food and fewer people on board can go over $100+. 

Perfect evening activity — Most museums and attractions close by 6 or 7 pm, so if you’re looking for something to do after dark that isn’t just another restaurant, this is a great way to fill your night. Plus, you get to sit, relax, and be entertained — what’s not to love?

You’ll see parts of Istanbul that you might not otherwise — The cruise takes you past some of Istanbul’s most beautiful waterfront landmarks, like Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and even all the way up to Rumeli Hisarı (which 90% of tourists never see!)

Surprisingly good value — When you consider that you’re getting a sightseeing tour, dinner, and a live show for the price of a typical restaurant meal, it’s honestly a steal. Especially if you snag a discount on GetYourGuide 😉

CONS

The food is okay — As we mentioned above, most dinner cruises are definitely not foodie experiences. Most of the negative Bosphorus dinner cruise reviews that we read online are actually because of the food (and not because the cruise or entertainment was bad). If you go in with realistic expectations, you’ll be totally fine. 🙂 

You can’t get off the boat — We also read some negative reviews where people were surprised that the boat didn’t stop at Dolmabahçe Palace for 10 minutes so they could “get out and walk around” (could you imagine trying to herd 100+ people to and from a boat? 😄)

Yes, it’s touristy — But honestly, so is the Eiffel Tower, the London Eye, and the entire city of Las Vegas. Being “touristy” doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad, right?

Service can be hit or miss — On most cruises, the staff are lovely. But some are a little too annoying about asking for 5‑star reviews at the end.

Is a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Worth it?  

All in all, we think that yes, a Bosphorus dinner cruise is worth it. 

Is it touristy? Absolutely. Is it magical when the skyline shimmers in lights and the sea breeze gently blows your hair as you glide past grandiose palaces and the Bosphorus Bridge? Also yes. Taking a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus is definitely a must-do at least once! 😄

Best Bosphorus Dinner Cruises 

There are dozens (if not hundreds) of cruise options on the Bosphorus, but based on years of local experience and feedback from readers (like you! hi!), we’ve narrowed it down to our top three best dinner cruises in Istanbul. 

Click on the photos below to check availability, see what’s included, and book your spot. 🙂 

Considering booking a different Bosphorus tour in Istanbul? You might like this Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise (which is on a smaller boat, includes light snacks, and a live guide that narrates each landmark!) or this Bosphorus Morning Cruise with Breakfast.

Questions & Answers

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Ready to book your Bosphorus cruise? Check out availability & reserve below!